Call for Grant Applications –

Bharat Startup Grand Challenge with Stride Ventures

Organisation Name:

DPIIT Startup India, Stride Ventures

Application Deadline:

20 Mar 2025

About Organisation

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) was established in 1995 and reconstituted in 2000 following the merger with the Department of Industrial Development. Initially known as the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, it was renamed DPIIT in January 2019. The department oversees industrial development, investment facilitation, and balanced growth of industries and trade. In 2018, matters related to e-commerce were transferred to DPIIT, followed by the responsibility for internal trade, trader welfare, and startups in 2019. Additionally, in 2021, DPIIT was entrusted with the integrated development of the logistics sector.

The Startup India initiative, launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on August 15, 2015, aims to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in India. The initiative’s action plan, introduced in January 2016, includes 19 strategic interventions across simplification, funding support, industry-academia collaboration, and incubation. DPIIT plays a critical role in promoting a dynamic startup ecosystem, ensuring sustainable economic growth, and generating large-scale employment opportunities. Through its collaborations and initiatives, DPIIT fosters an environment conducive to innovation, investment, and business expansion in emerging sectors.

About the Grant

The Stride Bharat Grand Challenge is a platform designed to empower startups working in CleanTech and FinTech to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. It supports groundbreaking solutions in areas such as e-mobility, circular economy, sustainable recycling, alternative credit models, fraud detection, and secure digital transactions. By connecting entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and industry leaders, the initiative accelerates India’s transition toward a greener, financially inclusive future.

Launched in collaboration with Startup India, the challenge targets early and growth-stage startups (Seed to Series A) registered with DPIIT. It provides funding opportunities, mentorship, and market access to scale innovative solutions. Stride Ventures, a leading venture debt firm in India, facilitates this initiative by offering customized financial solutions and strategic support. The challenge invites startups to present pioneering solutions in sustainability, fintech, and e-mobility, fostering technological advancements in key sectors critical to India’s industrial and environmental progress.

Who can Apply?

The Stride Bharat Grand Challenge is open to:

Early and Growth-Stage Startups: Startups that fall under the Seed to Series A funding stage are eligible to apply.
DPIIT-Registered Startups: Applicants must be officially registered with DPIIT to participate.
Sector-Specific Focus: The challenge invites startups working in sustainability, circular economy, e-mobility, battery manufacturing, fintech, recycling, and refining.
Scalability & Innovation: Startups with innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions in refining, credit modeling, fraud detection, and EV adoption models will be given preference.
Due Diligence Requirement: Shortlisted startups must provide detailed financials, including historical and projected data, to determine funding eligibility.

This challenge serves as an opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain financial backing, mentorship, and market connections to scale their businesses while contributing to India’s sustainable and technological advancement.

How to Apply?

Interested startups must submit their applications before the deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email within two weeks of submission. The final winners will be felicitated at Startup Mahakumbh on April 3rd-4th, 2025.