Launched in partnership with Social Alpha and WTFund and supported by the Government of Karnataka and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the challenge invites innovators from across India to develop scalable solutions in key areas such as sustainable construction, air pollution, waste management, and water and sanitation.
Selected winners will receive a grant of ₹25 lakh each to deploy their solutions in Bengaluru, with an opportunity to access an additional ₹1 crore to scale their innovations. The winning startups will also participate in a six-month pilot program in collaboration with leading real estate and infrastructure partners in the city.
NBC ’26 aims to transform the city into a living lab for climate innovation by identifying, funding, and piloting cutting-edge solutions.
“We are not chasing quick fixes. Instead, in the face of the climate crisis pressing on Bengaluru, we are harnessing the collective will of Bengaluru’s problem solvers to shape a resilient, thriving urban future together,” said Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India & Co-Founder, UnboxingBLR.
“Bengaluru, with its legacy of innovation, is the ideal place to build the climate-tech solutions of tomorrow. At WTFund, our mission is to back ventures that deliver tangible impact on pressing issues like climate change,” said Nikhil Kamath, investor and Entrepreneur.
“In its debut 2024 edition, the Namma Bengaluru Challenge attracted over 600 entries and showcased how Bengaluru’s innovators are driving tangible impact across sustainability, mobility, and social equity – setting the stage for NBC ‘26, which will take a more focused approach to tackling climate challenges,” said Malini Goyal, CEO, UnboxingBLR.
UnboxingBLR (UBLR) is a Bengaluru-focused collaborative platform dedicated to celebrating and shaping the city’s culture and identity. Founded in 2023 by Prashanth Prakash and Malini Goyal, UBLR brings together people, communities, and institutions to co-create Bengaluru’s story, serving as a city champion, idea catalyst, and collaborative platform.
UBLR drives initiatives such as the Namma Bengaluru Challenge, an accelerator that supports startups and changemakers tackling urban challenges; BLR Hubba, a city-wide festival celebrating art and culture; the annual We Are City Data Report, a data-driven snapshot of how citizens experience and engage with Bengaluru; and Code to Culture, a podcast exploring the city and its people. Together, these initiatives highlight citizen-led innovation and showcase Bengaluru’s cultural vibrancy in action
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How to Apply
Startups will be evaluated based on innovation, market potential, deployment feasibility in Bengaluru, team strength, and impact potential. Interested participants from across India must:
Fill out the application form on the NBC website
https://www.socialalpha.org/namma-bengaluru-challenge-26/
Applications for the Namma Bengaluru Challenge ‘26 close on 4th November, 2025.
DM @unboxingblr on Instagram for more information
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