Bengaluru, Karnataka | January 2026 — In a major step toward building climate resilience in India’s fastest-growing metro, UnboxingBLR, in partnership with Social Alpha and WTFund, has announced the five winning startups of the Namma Bengaluru Challenge ’26 (NBC ’26).
Each selected startup will receive ₹25 lakh in grant support to pilot their climate solutions across Bengaluru, with backing from the Government of Karnataka and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
Turning Bengaluru Into a Climate Innovation Sandbox
NBC ’26 is designed to transform Bengaluru into a real-world testing ground for climate-triggered urban challenges, enabling startups to deploy solutions on actual streets, buildings, and neighbourhoods before scaling them to other Indian cities.
The challenge attracted nearly 600 applications from across India, making it one of the country’s most competitive urban climate innovation programs. Over the next six months, the winning startups will pilot solutions aligned with key pillars of the Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCAP), focusing on construction, water, sanitation, and waste management.
“Bengaluru is running out of time on climate, but not out of ideas,” said Prashanth Prakash, Chairman and Co-founder of UnboxingBLR. “NBC ’26 shows that when entrepreneurs, government, and industry work together, we can move from pilots to real solutions that reshape how cities are built and sustained.”
Why the Challenge Matters Now
Bengaluru has lost an estimated 93% of its lakes and green cover to rapid urbanisation, while construction activity has grown by over 1,000% in the last two decades. These pressures have intensified water shortages, heat stress, air pollution, and fragile waste systems—disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities.
NBC ’26 aims to bridge the gap between innovation and adoption, moving climate solutions out of labs and into communities, supported by policymakers, corporates, and investors.
The Five Winners of Namma Bengaluru Challenge ’26
1. Carbon Craft Design
Category: Sustainable Construction
Founded by Tejas Sidnal, Carbon Craft Design produces low-carbon blocks and panels made from industrial waste and recovered carbon, offering cleaner alternatives to conventional bricks, tiles, and facades.
2. SatiQ Concrete Manufacturer
Category: Low-Carbon Concrete
Founded by Shantanu Bhattacherjee and Smrati Jain, SatiQ develops next-generation cement binders that significantly reduce the carbon footprint of concrete used in urban construction.
3. Tellus Habitat
Category: Water & Sanitation
Founded by Dr. Seema Sukhani and Naveen Janardhana, Tellus Habitat’s R3H2O system treats sewage locally using bio-filters, enabling wastewater reuse and reducing pressure on the city’s sewage infrastructure.
4. Go Do Good
Category: Plastic-Free Packaging
Founded by Khushboo Gandhi, Chanakya Medh, and Ronak Gandhi, Go Do Good has developed 100% plant-based coatings and inks that replace plastic layers in food packaging.
5. Sunbird Straws
Category: Circular Biomaterials
Founded by Chirag M G and Saji Varghese, Sunbird Straws manufactures fully compostable straws from fallen coconut leaves, while also creating livelihood opportunities for rural women.
Strong Consortium of Partners
NBC ’26 is supported by a robust ecosystem of partners, including Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Brigade Group as Challenge Partners. Program partners include the Bangalore Climate Action Cell, WRI India, Brigade REAP, CoEvolve Estates, Biome Environmental Solutions, and GoodEarth.
“Impactful climate-tech solutions must be as diverse as the urban challenges we face,” said Manoj Kumar, Founder of Social Alpha, highlighting the role of pilots in de-risking innovation and accelerating scale.
A Blueprint for Indian Cities
As Indian cities confront heatwaves, floods, water scarcity, and waste crises, NBC ’26 presents a replicable model—where government, corporates, and climate entrepreneurs move together from pilot to policy to scale.
“Cities become climate-resilient through evidence, not intent,” said Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Group.
With its city-first, pilot-led approach, Namma Bengaluru Challenge ’26 positions Bengaluru as a national testbed for urban climate innovation, offering a blueprint for sustainable growth across India.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.