Six Sustainability Startups Win Youth Co National Innovation Challenge 2026 at T-Hub Hyderabad

Hyderabad Six youth-led sustainability startups have emerged as winners of the Youth Co National Innovation Challenge 2026, a national platform designed to support young innovators developing solutions for environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth.

The winners were announced at the finale of the eighth edition of the challenge held at T-Hub in Hyderabad, following a nationwide competition that attracted more than 350 applications from startups representing 28 states.

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

Winners and Runners-Up

The three winning startups were:

• NavaPrayoga Labs LLP (Grassip)
• UnBubble
• Ecorenowa Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

The runners-up were:

• Eco Cushion
• Vasudeva Innovations
• WomenasticCO

The winners received seed grants of ₹3.5 lakh each, while the runners-up were awarded ₹2.2 lakh each, along with access to mentorship, capacity-building programmes and innovation ecosystems.

Focus on Sustainability Challenges

This year’s challenge focused on three key themes:

• Sustainable Textiles and Fashion
• Circular Economy Innovations
• Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation

Organizers said the selected startups demonstrated innovative approaches to addressing some of the country’s most pressing sustainability challenges, including waste management, resource efficiency, sustainable manufacturing and water conservation.

From 350 Applications to Six Winners

Following a rigorous screening process, 50 high-potential startups were selected for the National Springboard Programme, a three-month virtual accelerator supported by 16 industry mentors and domain experts.

The startups underwent intensive mentoring, business development support and strategic guidance before presenting their ideas during the National Innovation Dialogue held on June 4.

The top 20 ventures advanced to the Regional Immersion Bootcamp hosted at T-Hub from June 15 to 19. The programme brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, sustainability experts and industry leaders through masterclasses, mentorship sessions, site visits and networking opportunities designed to strengthen business models and scale impact.

The final six winners were selected after a jury evaluation conducted during the bootcamp.

Youth Innovation Driving Green Growth

Speaking at the event, Telangana Innovation Cell CEO Meraj Faheem highlighted the growing role of youth entrepreneurship in addressing environmental and developmental challenges.

He said initiatives such as Youth Co demonstrate how innovation, collaboration and youth leadership can contribute to building sustainable solutions while strengthening India’s startup ecosystem.

Prateek Deshmukh, Program Director at Atal Innovation Mission, emphasized the need to democratize access to capital, mentorship and opportunities across India’s startup landscape, particularly for entrepreneurs outside major metropolitan hubs.

Women-Led Innovation Gains Momentum

UNDP India Resident Representative Angela Lusigi noted that more than 40 percent of the selected startups were women-led, reflecting the diversity and inclusiveness of India’s emerging innovation ecosystem.

She said India’s demographic advantage, with nearly 65 percent of the population under the age of 35, represents a significant opportunity to accelerate sustainable development through youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

According to UNDP, the startups participating in this year’s challenge addressed critical issues ranging from waste management and water scarcity to sustainable production systems and circular economy solutions.

Building the Next Generation of Impact Startups

The finale also featured discussions on inclusive innovation ecosystems and impact investing. Industry leaders, investors, startup mentors and policymakers explored ways to improve access to resources, funding and support systems for emerging entrepreneurs.

Since its launch in 2017, Youth Co has worked across the Asia-Pacific region to empower young innovators through entrepreneurship, social innovation and leadership development. The initiative aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting scalable solutions that address economic, social and environmental challenges.

As sustainability becomes a key driver of future economic growth, programmes such as Youth Co are helping create a pipeline of startups capable of delivering innovative solutions while generating social and environmental impact at scale.