New Delhi: Six youth-led startups from across India have emerged as winners of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026, after being recognised for developing innovative solutions focused on sustainability through circular economy innovations, sustainable textiles and fashion, and sustainable food systems and water conservation.
Co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and Citi Foundation, in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), and implemented by T-Hub Foundation, the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 has established itself as one of India’s leading platforms for promoting youth-led innovation and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The eighth edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 attracted more than 350 applications from youth-led startups representing 28 states across the country.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, 50 high-potential startups were selected to participate in the National Springboard Programme, a three-month virtual capacity-building initiative supported by 16 industry mentors and domain experts.
Participating startups addressed challenges across three thematic areas:
- Sustainable Textiles and Fashion
- Circular Economy Innovations
- Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation
All 50 startups presented their solutions before a distinguished jury during the National Innovation Dialogue held on June 4, 2026.
Based on the jury’s assessment, the top 20 startups advanced to the Regional Immersion Bootcamp organised at T-Hub, Hyderabad, from June 15 to June 19, 2026.
The five-day immersive programme brought together ecosystem leaders, sustainability experts, investors, government representatives and entrepreneurs through masterclasses, mentorship sessions, site visits and peer-learning opportunities aimed at strengthening business models and scaling impact.
Following the final jury evaluation conducted on June 18, 2026, six startups were selected for their scalable and high-impact sustainability solutions under the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026.
The three winning startups received seed grants of ₹3,50,000 each, along with capacity-building support and access to innovation ecosystems. Three runners-up were awarded ₹2,20,000 each in recognition of their promising contributions and potential for future scale.
The awards ceremony was attended by senior representatives from UNDP, AIM, T-Hub, government institutions, investors and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
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Delivering a special address on “Building India’s Green Economy: Youth, Capital and the Next Decade of Innovation,” Meraj Faheem, CEO, Telangana Innovation Cell (TGIC), Government of Telangana, said, “Initiatives like Youth Co:Lab reinforces the power of innovation, collaboration, and youth leadership in addressing some of our most pressing challenges. We are proud to have been part of this journey and remain committed to nurturing ecosystems that enable young changemakers to transform ideas into meaningful impact.”
Prateek Deshmukh, Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, said, “India does not have a startup problem. India has a distribution problem. A distribution of capital — too concentrated in Bangalore and Delhi. A distribution of mentorship — too thin in Tier-3 and the North-East.
A distribution of opportunity — too narrow for women, persons with disabilities, and founders from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Programmes like Youth Co:Lab exist to fix that distribution problem. And the evidence we are unveiling today suggests they are starting to.”
Highlighting the importance of youth-led innovation, Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India, said, “One of India’s greatest resources is its youth dividend. With nearly 65 percent of the population under the age of 35, the country’s ability to meet its development and climate goals will depend on how effectively we support young innovators to turn ideas into action.
More than 350 startups stepped forward with solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from waste and water scarcity to unsustainable production systems. More than 40 percent of the selected ventures are women-led, demonstrating the diversity of talent driving India’s innovation ecosystem. With the support of our partners, we are proud to invest in a generation that is actively building a better future.”
The grand finale of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 also featured a panel discussion titled “Inclusion as Infrastructure: Building Innovation Ecosystems That Work for Everyone,” moderated by Pankaj Vaish, Head, Startup for GCCs, T-Hub.
The panel included Shravya Kanithi, Senior Professional for Learning and Inclusion; Manabendra Sanyal, CEO, Youth Aid Foundation; and Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, Development Professional and Member of the Supreme Court of India-constituted Justice Asha Menon Advisory Committee.
Another session titled “Betting on Youth: What Investors and Institutions Look for in the Next Generation of Impact Founders” was moderated by Vitasta Tiwari, Innovation Lead, AIM.
Panellists included Sidhartha Mohanty, Founder of Brahma Kamal and Angel Investor; Viiveck Verma, Founder and CEO, Upsurge Global; Amit Kumar, Head of Sustainable Inclusive Growth, UNDP India; Prateek Deshmukh, Program Lead, AIM; and Padmavathi Annapurna, Vice Chairperson, Skill Development, ALEAP.
