Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge
by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Seed grant up to INR 3.5 Lakh
Annual social entrepreneurship challenge for youth-led startups solving Sustainable Development Goal themes through seed grants and incubation.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Team
Teams of 2 or more
Duration
Approximately 4 to 5 months end-to-end
Eligibility
Open to youth-led startups, businesses, or NGOs in India where at least one founder is aged 15 to 29 years; age cap extended to 35 for women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ founders, tribal youth, and religious minorities. Under-18 applicants must participate as co-founders of a youth-led team. Open nationwide.
- Age range
- 15 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Prerequisites
- Idea or working prototype aligned with the year's SDG theme
- Founding team with at least one member in the eligible age band
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
INR 2.2-3.5 Lakh
Top six startups receive tailored seed grants ranging from INR 2.2 lakh to INR 3.5 lakh to support further development and scale-up.
Certificate
UNDP Youth Co:Lab Certificate
Programme certificate co-issued by UNDP India and the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, with Citi Foundation as co-creator of the regional Youth Co:Lab initiative.
Recognized by
Career pathways
Access to mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners through T-Hub Hyderabad, plus a chance to represent India at the Asia-Pacific Youth Co:Lab Summit.
Recognition
National recognition by UNDP and AIM
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 3 Feb 2026
- Registration closed
- 20 Mar 2026
How to apply
- 1Submit the online application form on the official AIM portal before the deadline
- 2Shortlisting by the AIM, UNDP, and implementation partner panel
- 3Participate in the virtual National Springboard Programme
- 4Top 20 teams attend the Regional Immersion Bootcamp at T-Hub, Hyderabad
- 5Top 6 startups are awarded seed grants at the National Innovation Dialogue
Rules and guidelines
- At least one founder must fall within the stated age band at the time of application
- Solutions must align with one of the year's announced sub-tracks
- Both registered and unregistered startups can apply, but registration may be required if selected
- Application information is kept confidential and not shared without applicant consent
- There is no equity component; the programme does not take a stake in selected ventures
Technology requirements
- Stable internet for the virtual Springboard sessions
- Laptop with video-conferencing capability for mentor reviews
About this opportunity
The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge it is run in India in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. Each edition rotates around a Sustainable Development Goal theme; the edition focuses on Responsible Consumption with sub-tracks in sustainable textiles and fashion, circular economy innovations, and sustainable food systems and water conservation.
Applications are open to youth-led startups, businesses, and registered or unregistered NGOs in India where at least one founder is aged 15 to 29 years, with the age cap extended to 35 for women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ founders, tribal youth, and religious minorities. The challenge is structured for early-stage entrepreneurs running real ventures rather than for individual school assignments, so under-18 participants typically join as co-founders of a youth-led team or NGO.
Selected applicants enter a 6 to 8 week virtual National Springboard Programme covering business fundamentals, product-market fit, impact measurement, and scale readiness. The top twenty teams travel to T-Hub, Hyderabad for a 5-day in-person Regional Immersion Bootcamp featuring mentorship, investor interactions, and pitch preparation, after which the top six startups receive seed grants of INR 2.2 to 3.5 lakhs.
Winning teams may also be selected to represent India at the Regional Asia-Pacific Youth Co:Lab Summit, opening doors to international peers, mentors, and follow-on acceleration. Since 2019 the programme has supported more than 250 youth-led ventures across India.
Rounds and format
Round 1: Online application screening against the year's sub-tracks. Round 2: Selected 40-50 startups join the virtual National Springboard Programme over 6-8 weeks. Round 3: Top 20 teams attend the in-person Regional Immersion Bootcamp at T-Hub Hyderabad and pitch to a national jury for the final seed grant decisions.
How entries are judged
Strength of the problem statement, uniqueness of the solution, alignment with the year's theme and Mission LiFE, founding team capability, business model viability, scalability, and measurable social and environmental impact.
Selection process
Top 6 startups from the in-person Regional Immersion Bootcamp are awarded seed grants on the basis of pitch, business viability, and impact potential.
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
Frequently asked questions
How do participants develop their solutions to align with the Sustainable Development Goal themes?
Participants are encouraged to thoroughly research the annual SDG theme and its sub-tracks, integrating these principles into their solution's core design and impact model. The National Springboard Programme provides workshops and mentorship to help refine this alignment, ensuring solutions are relevant and impactful.
What strategies can teams employ to stand out during the virtual National Springboard Programme?
Teams can stand out by actively engaging in all workshops, demonstrating strong teamwork, proactively seeking and incorporating mentor feedback, and clearly articulating their solution's unique value proposition and scalability. Consistent progress and a clear vision are crucial.
How does the Regional Immersion Bootcamp prepare startups for investor interactions?
The bootcamp offers intensive mentorship, business model refinement, and investor readiness sessions. Participants receive tailored guidance on crafting compelling pitches, understanding investor expectations, and developing robust financial projections, preparing them for potential funding opportunities.
What are the key factors considered by the jury when evaluating pitches for seed grants?
The jury evaluates pitches based on the solution's innovation, market viability, scalability, measurable social and environmental impact, and the team's capability and commitment. A clear, concise, and persuasive presentation of the business model and its potential is vital.
How can participants leverage the Youth Co:Lab network for long-term growth and impact?
Participants can leverage the network by actively engaging with mentors, fellow entrepreneurs, and ecosystem partners during and after the program. Networking opportunities, access to UNDP and AIM ecosystems, and potential representation at the Asia-Pacific Summit provide avenues for sustained growth, partnerships, and visibility.
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