Six Startups Win Youth Co:Lab Innovation Challenge 2026

Six youth-led startups from across India have been announced as winners of the 8th Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026, recognizing innovative business solutions focused on sustainability, circular economy, sustainable textiles and fashion, and food and water conservation.

Co-led by UNDP India and the Citi Foundation, in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and implemented by T-Hub Foundation, the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge has become one of India’s leading platforms for supporting youth entrepreneurship aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s edition attracted more than 350 applications from startups representing 28 states. Following a rigorous evaluation process, 50 high-potential startups were selected to participate in the National Springboard Programme, a three-month virtual accelerator supported by 16 industry mentors and domain experts.

The participating ventures developed solutions across three priority sectors:

• Sustainable Textiles and Fashion

• Circular Economy Innovations

• Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation

The finalists showcased their innovations during the National Innovation Dialogue on June 4, 2026, after which the top 20 startups advanced to a five-day Regional Immersion Bootcamp at T-Hub, Hyderabad, held from June 15 to 19. The programme featured mentorship, masterclasses, investor interactions, site visits, and networking sessions designed to strengthen business models and scale sustainable innovations.

Following the final jury evaluation on June 18, six startups emerged as winners. The top three winners received ₹3.5 lakh each as seed funding, while the three runners-up were awarded ₹2.2 lakh each, along with continued capacity-building support and access to the innovation ecosystem.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Meraj Faheem, CEO of the Telangana Innovation Cell (TGIC), highlighted the importance of youth-led innovation in addressing sustainability challenges.

Prateek Deshmukh, Program Director at Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog), emphasized the need to bridge the distribution gap in capital, mentorship, and opportunities, particularly for founders from Tier-3 cities, the Northeast, women entrepreneurs, and socially disadvantaged communities.

Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative of UNDP India, noted that India’s demographic advantage makes youth innovation essential for achieving the country’s development and climate goals. She also highlighted that over 40% of the selected startups were women-led, reflecting the growing diversity within India’s startup ecosystem.

The event also featured expert panel discussions on building inclusive innovation ecosystems and understanding what investors seek in the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs.

Through initiatives like Youth Co:Lab, India continues to strengthen its startup ecosystem by supporting young innovators developing scalable solutions for environmental sustainability, climate resilience, circular economy, and social impact.