Indian campaign seeks plastic recycling entrepreneurs

The New Delhi-based PlastIndia Foundation and a national government minister in India have launched the Bharat Next Challenge, calling the initiative India’s biggest plastics innovation drive.

Announced this week, the initiative’s backers include the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) in Kolkata, India, the PlastIndia Foundation and Indian Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The initiative will entail a nationwide search for “Born in India” breakthrough ideas in sustainability and circular plastics.

“Through our partnership with IIMCIP, the National Innovation Challenge will identify high-potential startups across plastics, materials, recycling, sustainability and circular economy,” PlastIndia Foundation President Ravish Kamath says. “Winning startups will benefit from exclusive mentorship from IIM Calcutta, strengthening their ability to scale and commercialize transformational ideas.”

Officially titled Bharat Next Challenge: PlastIndia Foundation Startup Search 2026, the program organizers are seeking to discover and promote ideas that reimagine plastics for a greener, more circular future. The initiative will be highlighted at the PlastIndia 2026 event in February in New Delhi, which the foundation calls one of the largest international plastics exhibitions in the world.

“The government is committed to strengthening India’s deep-tech ecosystem, enhancing ease of doing business, reducing compliance burden and fostering entrepreneurship,” Goyal says. “I hope this initiative will enable the plastics industry to take a decisive leap towards 100 percent reuse and recycling, aligned with India’s sustainability goals and rising global demand for circular products.”

Its organizers say the competition welcomes innovation across the plastics value chain, including life-saving medical devices, next-generation materials, green chemistry, recycling tech, sustainable packaging, manufacturing breakthroughs and policy innovations.

Startup companies selected to be part of the program will receive more than $2,200 and a complimentary display stall at PlastIndia 2026, where they will have access to thousands of visitors and some 2,000 fellow exhibitors from around the world.

“This challenge aims to accelerate innovation and foster meaningful industry and startup collaboration,” says Alok Tibrewala, chair of the national executive council of PlastIndia 2026. “Our goal is to give young entrepreneurs the visibility, access and credibility needed to reimagine India’s plastics ecosystem,”

The PlastIndia Foundation says the challenge is open to all Indians above the age of 16. Applicants must submit a 1,000-word proposal and a two-minute video describing their idea and its potential impact. A selected panel will evaluate submissions, shortlist the top 50 ideas then select the 10 winners who will make a presentation at PlastIndia 2026.

“We believe the future of India’s growth will be defined by breakthrough ideas that integrate sustainability with world-class innovation,” sIIMCIP Chair Ajay Jain says. “Through the Bharat Next Challenge, we aim to empower startups with the mentorship, platforms and partnerships needed to convert bold ideas into impact at scale, strengthening India’s leadership in circular and sustainable technologies and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

"India’s plastics industry is undergoing a pivotal phase of modernization, and fresh thinking from startups is essential to accelerating this transition. This initiative reflects a forward-looking vision from the PlastIndia Foundation, and we are privileged to partner with them in nurturing the next generation of innovators who will shape the future of this sector.”