COEP’s Bhau Institute of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership has been announced as an Ecosystem Partner for the prestigious Bharat Innovation Challenge 2026, an initiative powered by FICCI and Mercedes-Benz India. The collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s startup and innovation ecosystem by providing a national platform for innovators, startups, and changemakers.
The Bharat Innovation Challenge is designed to identify, nurture, and scale impactful business ideas that address real-world challenges across key sectors. Selected startups will receive innovation support of up to ₹30 lakh, along with 12 months of incubation, expert mentorship, opportunities to co-develop and pilot solutions with Mercedes-Benz, and national-level recognition through FICCI.
As an ecosystem partner, COEP’s Bhau Institute will play a vital role in supporting aspiring innovators by facilitating outreach, mentoring, and ecosystem linkages, particularly within the Pune and Maharashtra startup landscape.
📌 Focus Sectors
The challenge invites solutions across multiple high-impact domains, including:
- Manufacturing
- Sustainability
- Education & Growth
- Decarbonisation & Road Safety
- Automotive & Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Innovations that intersect multiple sectors or offer complementary impact are also encouraged to apply.
🗓 Special Interaction Session at COEP
To further engage innovators and students, an exclusive interaction session with leaders from FICCI and Mercedes-Benz has been scheduled:
- Venue: COEP’s Bhau Institute Auditorium, Pune
- Date: 8 January 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Followed by: Networking over Hi-Tea
Interested participants can register for the session using the official link:
🔗 Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/dMpaJaeJ
⏰ Application Deadline
- Last date to apply: 31 December 2025
This initiative offers startups a rare opportunity to gain industry access, mentorship, funding support, and long-term collaboration prospects with leading corporate and policy stakeholders.
Disclaimer: This news article is created for informational and educational purposes only, based on publicly available information and official announcements shared by COEP’s Bhau Institute, FICCI, and Mercedes-Benz India. The publication does not claim any official affiliation with the organizing bodies. Dates, eligibility criteria, benefits, and program details are subject to change at the discretion of the organizers. Applicants are advised to verify all information through official websites and communication channels before applying or attending events.
