Purpose Pitch
Challenge
The Purpose Pitch Challenge is AndPurpose's open call for ideas that serve people and planet. Four rounds. One live jury final on the Global Summit stage in New Delhi.

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Who this is for
Built for founders solving for people and planet
Purpose Pitch is AndPurpose’s open call for India’s most promising impact startups — founders building measurable environmental or social impact, from early conviction to scaling traction.
Whether you’re pre-revenue with a sharp idea or already generating revenue, you’ll get a real jury, direct investor access, and a stage at India’s leading sustainability summit — not just visibility, but feedback that sharpens your business.

How the challenge runs
From a two-minute video to a live jury stage
Each round is designed to sharpen your pitch, not just filter it out.

Open call
Submit a short pitch video or one-pager. Open to anyone with an idea for people or planet.

Virtual pitch
Shortlisted applicants present live to a screening panel of AndPurpose and ecosystem experts.

Pitch clinic
A working session with mentors to sharpen the deck, the ask, and the delivery before the final.

Grand final
Top finalists pitch live to a jury at the Global Summit. Audience choice award included.
What the jury looks for
How your application will be evaluated
Cash, mentorship, and a stage in front of the people who fund and scale ideas like yours
Why participate
More than a pitching session — a growth accelerant within India’s impact ecosystem.
Our Past Investors
Funders, Investors, Philanthropists, and family offices that have been connected with us through our journey.

M.Sc. in Financial Economics – University of Wales, Cardiff
Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) – Bangalore University

Mr. Mehta has led deals across energy, water, smart agriculture, alternative proteins and broader climate technologies.
M.Sc. (in Financial Economics) - University of Wales, Cardiff, Bachelors of Business Management (BBM) - Bangalore University



At Elevar, Shobha leads the firm's finance (funds, corporate and strategic) and fund administration, mid and back office operations, compliance and reporting — working closely with the firm's external audit, tax and legal advisors, and providing critical support on organizational development and key systems/processes.

He joined Wavemaker Impact (now spun off as decarbonization platform 100×100) as Partner to lead the organization's activity in India. At Wavemaker Impact, he builds 100X100 Ventures — startups aiming to cut 100 million tons of CO₂ while earning $100 million doing it — including companies like RegenX (circular batteries), Agros (climate-smart farming), and Wastex.
He earned a B.Sc. (Honors) in Agricultural Science from Haryana Agricultural University, where he was the batch topper, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management from IIM-Ahmedabad.

She is an alumna of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and holds a 2023 Acumen India Fellowship from Acumen Academy. Her skill set spans leadership, MIS, retail banking, new business development, and management.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the National Law School of India University in 2002.

His prior roles include Principal at Agri NewGen Ventures/International Tractors Limited, Principal at Menterra Venture Advisors (where he helped conceptualize and launch the Menterra Fund in 2016 and led agriculture investments), and Senior Investment Manager at Villgro Innovations. His investment expertise spans AgriTech, CleanTech, EdTech, HealthTech, energy, water & sanitation, and waste management.
He holds a B.Tech in Horticulture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and an M.Sc. in Information and Communication Technology in Agriculture and Rural Development from DA-IICT.

She is an Aspen Institute and Stanford Draper Hills Fellow, and was recognized in the 40 Under 40 list. She trained in broadcast journalism with the BBC.

Prior to Peak, he co-led the Asia portfolio at Accion Venture Lab (Washington D.C.), a global fintech impact fund, leading deals in consumer credit, SME lending, and micro-insurance. He also led early-stage deals at Sattva Capital (Mumbai), a private investment office, including investments in Energy Web Foundation and Shortlist. He began his career at Aksia, a $150bn AUA New York-based hedge fund advisory firm.
He is a TEDx speaker, having given a talk titled "The Hidden Cost of Everything We Do," and serves as Co-President of the Bleeker Street Angel Group, an India-focused angel network for NYU alumni.
He holds a B.Sc. in Finance and International Business from NYU Stern School of Business.

Prior to Ankur Capital, he spent 5 years as an investor with Grassroots Business Fund, an impact investor, working across investment management and portfolio supervision in India, Indonesia, and Africa. He also held earlier operating roles at startups, including leading the revenue function for a solar distribution startup.

Vivek leads the EV financing and leasing business across vehicle form factors, collaborating with OEMs, charging infrastructure companies, logistics and ecommerce conglomerates, and battery ecosystem partners. Prior to this, he was a Director at Stride Ventures, where he led investments through the full lifecycle from deal sourcing to monitoring, and managed investor relations and strategic partnerships with VCs, banks, and other institutions.
He brings more than 17 years of experience in Wholesale Banking — including large and mid-size corporate relationships, startups, investment banking, structured finance, and project finance — with leading banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and IDFC FIRST Bank.

Earlier in her career, as a TAS Associate at EY, she was involved in due diligence across buy-side and sell-side transactions in multiple sectors, including renewable energy, EPC, manufacturing, real estate, and entertainment, studying the business, profitability, and financial position of prospective targets. She has also served as a Board Member at RGVN (North East) Microfinance Ltd.

For the last 15 years, he served as India MD and a Member of the Global Executive Committee of Broadridge Financial Solutions. Prior to that, he established and grew India offices for global enterprises such as ADP, D.E. Shaw, and Intergraph. He was a Member of the Investment Committee and an LP in the Parampara Early-Stage Opportunities Fund, and is also part of the NASSCOM GCC Council.
He has extensive experience building, deploying, and supporting large-scale enterprise-grade SaaS products for global clientele, holds a patent for a Blockchain-based innovation, and has set up Centers of Excellence for AI/ML and Big Data.

Prior to Indigram Labs, he held roles including Chief Operating Officer at FIFA (Federation of Indian FPO's & Aggregators), positions at Pashupati Overseas Pte Ltd, and Financial Controller at Morgan Stanley & Co. He brings over 13 years of experience in agriculture commodities trade and finance.

Before joining Sathguru Catalysers, he served as Vice President (Investments) at GVFL Limited, one of India's oldest venture capital firms. He also played a key role in establishing the North-East Venture Fund. He is a frequent speaker at startup events, actively mentors startups and incubation centres, and has served on various committees including the Government of India's BIRAC BIG Grant, Startup India Seed Fund, and Nidhi Prayas.

Startups That Have Taken the Stage












These ventures represent the diversity and strength of India’s innovation ecosystem, addressing critical challenges across clean technology, circular economy, sustainable mobility, advanced materials, AI, and climate resilience.
Real moments from the AndPurpose ecosystem



Frequently asked questions
Is the ₹1,000 entry fee refundable?
If your pitch doesn’t advance past Round 1, your fee converts into a free pass to the AndPurpose Global Summit in New Delhi — you don’t lose it either way.
Do I need to attend the Grand Final in person?
Rounds 1 to 3 can be completed remotely. Round 4 — the Grand Final — is a live, in-person pitch at the AndPurpose Global Summit in New Delhi.
Can pre-revenue or early-stage startups apply?
Yes. We welcome founders at every stage — from an early prototype to a business already generating revenue — as long as the idea addresses a real environmental or social problem.
Can startups from outside India apply?
Purpose Pitch is currently open to startups registered or operating in India. We may open international applications in future editions.
What happens if I'm a finalist but don't win?
You still leave with real value — Summit stage exposure in front of 1,000+ delegates, direct introductions to investors and media, and a certificate of recognition. Many of the strongest founder connections happen after the pitch, not during it.
Is there any cost beyond the ₹1,000 entry fee?
No hidden costs. The ₹1,000 is your only fee to participate through all four rounds.
What happens after the Grand Final?
The winner and runner-up receive structured mentorship and incubation support through AndPurpose’s network. All finalists remain part of the AndPurpose ecosystem for future opportunities, forums, and introductions.
Register for the challenge
Secure your entry below. You’ll receive round-by-round updates by email once payment is confirmed
Global Summit — New Delhi
- Round 1 submissions open now
- Round 2 shortlist announced within 2 weeks of your submission
- Non-qualifiers receive a free Summit pass automatically
Purpose Pitch Challenge
₹1,000.00
Ready to take the next move? Get in touch today
At AndPurpose, we believe that solving the world's greatest challenges requires bold entrepreneurs, catalytic capital, and meaningful collaboration.
Purpose Pitch is where these forces come together, Startups Pitches for Solutions for People & Planet.
It is where visionary founders gain visibility, where investors discover scalable impact businesses, where corporations identify innovation partners, and where ideas evolve into enterprises capable of transforming industries and creating lasting social and environmental value.
If you're building solutions for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future, Purpose Pitch is your opportunity to be seen, heard, and backed by the ecosystem that matters.

