Centre launches ₹30cr Startup Maha Rathi challenge: How to participate
What's the story
As part of the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched the Startup Maha Rathi challenge.
The initiative is a joint effort with Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), IVCA, HDFC, among others.
The challenge seeks to boost India's start-up ecosystem by providing funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and strategic guidance to start-ups across 11 key sectors.
Vision alignment
Startup Maha Rathi challenge: A step toward 'Viksit Bharat 2047'
The Startup Maha Rathi challenge is in line with India's long-term vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047.'
It seeks to promote innovation across sectors such as AI and DeepTech, BioTech and HealthTech, Gaming and Sports, Fintech, Mobility, Agritech, B2B and Precision Manufacturing, D2C, ClimateTech, and Defence and SpaceTech.
It has a prize pool of up to ₹30 crore and will give chosen start-ups financial grants, networking opportunities, and industry mentorship.
Selection procedure
Application and selection process for the challenge
The application window for the Startup Maha Rathi challenge opened on February 26, 2025, and will remain open until March 7.
The selection process involves virtual jury presentations from March 15-25, followed by a live pitching finale from April 3-5 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Each shortlisted start-up reaching the grand jury round will receive a minimum grant of ₹1 lakh.
Grant allocation
Grant distribution and special awards in the challenge
The top two start-ups in each sector will be awarded ₹10 lakh each, while the next five will get ₹5 lakh each. Further, the next five start-ups in each sector will get ₹3 lakh each.
The challenge also has special awards for start-ups from emerging states and union territories.
Selected start-ups will get exposure to global markets, investor access, and national recognition by DPIIT.
Evaluation process
Startup Maha Rathi challenge to evaluate over 5,000 start-ups
The Startup Maha Rathi challenge will assess over 5,000 start-ups. These start-ups will get the chance to scale with the support of over 100 top VCs, angel investors, and domain specialists.
Anjali Bansal from Avaana Capital stressed that initiatives like this offer catalytic support to entrepreneurs solving India's critical priorities such as green growth, sustainability, energy transition, food systems agriculture and deep tech.