Namma Bengaluru Challenge ’26 launched to combat climate crisis, winners will get a ₹25 lakh grant

In a pioneering step toward addressing the escalating climate crisis, UnboxingBLR has unveiled the second edition of the Namma Bengaluru Challenge (NBC ’26), an urban innovation accelerator designed to tackle environmental issues through cutting-edge climate-tech solutions.

The initiative, backed by prominent partners such as the Government of Karnataka, Greater Bengaluru Authority, Social Alpha, and WTFund, seeks to inspire startups across India to develop and pilot sustainable solutions for some of the city’s most pressing challenges, including air pollution, water conservation, waste management, and sustainable construction.

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Transforming the city into a "living lab"

With climate action at the forefront, the NBC ’26 invites startups to submit innovative projects that have the potential for large-scale impact. The winners will be awarded a ₹25 lakh grant, along with comprehensive incubation support, to test and deploy their solutions in Bengaluru, effectively transforming the city into a "living lab" for scalable climate technologies.

Startups participating in the challenge will have the opportunity to pilot solutions that can be replicated across other urban centers in India, accelerating the nation’s transition towards a more sustainable future.

Interested innovators have until November 4 to submit their applications. NBC ’26 represents a significant push toward fostering a collaborative approach to urban sustainability, with Bengaluru leading the way as a hub for green innovation.