Early-Stage Social Enterprises

Fueling Innovation for a Greener Tomorrow

Apply Now

Empowering Early-Stage Social Enterprises
to Accelerate their Climate Tech Ventures

The Early-Stage Social Enterprises is a joint initiative by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India and T-Hub to accelerate early-stage social enterprises focused on solving the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The 12-week accelerator program is designed to empower early-stage social enterprises in the Climate Tech space. Through personalised mentorship, strategic resources, and intensive workshops, participants are equipped to refine their ideas and scale their impact. Focusing on groundbreaking solutions, the program addresses the urgent need for sustainable technologies. It culminates in a high-stakes pitch event, offering startups the opportunity to secure funding and drive meaningful change in the climate tech sector.

 

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Focus Areas

Sustainable Mobility

  • Traffic Safety
  • Mobility as a Service
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Urban Planning
  • Emission Reduction
  • Battery Technology
  • Circular Supply Chain

Environmental Sustainability

  • Renewable Energy
  • Waste and Air Quality Management
  • Water Conservation
  • Green Infrastructure
  • Carbon Capture and Storage
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Bio Fuels
  • Sustainable Packaging

Circular Economy

  • Water and Energy Conservation
  • Waste Management
  • Air Quality Management

Pollution Control Technologies

  • Emission Reduction Solutions
  • Urban Air Quality Monitoring
  • Urban Planning

Sustainable Urban Development

  • Smart Cities Solutions
  • Green Infrastructure

Benefits for Startups?

Unlock critical resources and opportunities to scale your innovation

  • Tailored Mentorship:Receive personalised guidance from industry experts to refine your solutions and scale your operations effectively.
  • Strategic Consultations:Engage in one-on-one sessions focused on developing strategies for growth, market-entry, and scalability.
  • Technical Assistance:Access specialised resources and expertise to overcome technical challenges and enhance product development.
  • Focused Workshops:Participate in targeted workshops that cover key areas such as business model refinement, market validation, and customer acquisition.
  • Performance Evaluations: Regular assessments to track progress, ensure milestones are met, and adjust strategies as needed.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, potential partners, and investors through curated networking sessions.
  • Access to Strategic Resources: Leverage the program’s resources, including lab facilities, data tools, and market insights, to accelerate your innovation
  • Pitch Event: Present your solutions at a high-stakes pitch event, grab the chance to secure seed funding of INR 1,000,000, and gain visibility among industry leaders.
Apply Now

Benefits for Startups?

Unlock critical resources and opportunities to scale your innovation

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Tailored Mentorship

Receive personalised guidance from industry experts to refine your solutions and scale your operations effectively.

Strategic Consultations

Engage in one-on-one sessions focused on developing strategies for growth, market entry, and scalability.

Technical Assistance

Access specialised resources and expertise to overcome technical challenges and enhance product development.

Focused Workshops

Participate in targeted workshops that cover key areas such as business model refinement, market validation, and customer acquisition.

Performance Evaluations

Regular assessments to track progress, ensure milestones are met, and adjust strategies as needed.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with industry leaders, potential partners, and investors through curated networking sessions.

Access to Strategic Resources

Leverage the program’s resources, including lab facilities, data tools, and market insights, to accelerate your innovation.

Pitch Event

Present your solutions at a high-stakes pitch event, grab the chance to secure seed funding of INR 10,00,000, and gain visibility among industry leaders.

Apply Now

Who Can Join?

To be eligible for the Early-Stage Social Enterprises, applicants must meet the following requirements

Stage of Development

Your startup should be at an early stage, with a validated concept or minimum viable product (MVP) in Climate Tech. Demonstrating initial traction through early users, pilot projects, or partnerships is essential.

Focus Area Alignment

Your startup must align with one or more of the program’s designated focus areas in Sustainable Mobility or Environmental Sustainability.

Geographic Eligibility

Startups must be based in India, primarily focusing on addressing climate-related challenges within the country.

Team Composition

Your team should have at least 2 dedicated full-time members, possessing the necessary skills and expertise to drive the startup forward.

Commitment

Selected startups must commit to fully participating in the 12-week program, including all workshops, mentorship sessions, and evaluations.

Innovative Approach

Your startup should present a unique, innovative solution addressing a significant climate-related problem with a clear potential for scale and impact.

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Program Timelines

Applications Open
3 Sep 2024
Applications Close
31 Oct 2024
Final Cohort Announcement
6 Jan 2025
Program Kickoff
23 Jan 2025
Program End
4 Jul 2025
Grant Pitch Session
15 Jul 2025

FAQs

The Early-Stage program is a 12-week accelerator designed to support early-stage social enterprises working on innovative climate tech solutions. The program offers comprehensive ecosystem support to help startups scale and make a meaningful impact.

This program is open to early-stage social enterprises across India and is focused on climate tech innovations. Eligible enterprises must demonstrate a clear social impact focus, alignment with the program’s thematic areas, and potential for scalability.

T-Hub will scout and screen potential social enterprises across India. After a preliminary assessment based on problem-solution fit, market fit, innovation, and team capabilities, shortlisted enterprises will undergo a final review by the MBRDI technical jury. The top startups are then be selected for the 12-week program.

Participants will receive comprehensive support, including innovation and technology guidance, impact and sustainability strategies, networking and collaboration opportunities, market positioning, funding access, capacity building, and technical mentorship.

The program culminates in a final demo day, where participants present their solutions to an expert jury. The top 5 enterprises will be awarded seed funding of INR 10 Lakh each to further advance their innovations.

Apply Now

Embassy Crest, Plot No. 5-P,
EPIP Zone, Phase 1,
Whitefield Road, Bengaluru,
Karnataka, India, 560066

Plot No 1/C, Sy No 83/1,
Raidurgam panmaktha, Knowledge City,
Serilingampally, Hyderabad,
Telangana 500081.

Contact Us

Email: saeed.girni@t-hub.co
            simran.thakur@t-hub.co

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