Call for Entries: MIDC Innovation Grand Challenge (India)

Deadline: 20-Sep-2026

The MIDC Innovation Grand Challenge invites students, startups, innovators, individuals, and organizations to develop ready-to-implement solutions for creating sustainable and future-ready industrial estates across Maharashtra. Selected awardees will have the opportunity to partner with the Government of Maharashtra and implement their proposed solutions through a work order. The challenge focuses on five critical areas: Smart Pothole Detection and Repair; Carbon Capture, Emission Management and Trading; Wastewater, Effluent Treatment, Desalination and Waste Recycling; Renewable and Sustainable Green Energy Solutions; and AI-Driven Solutions for Industrial Infrastructure. A total prize pool of ₹2 Crore is available, with the prize money integrated into the work order issued to the final awardees for implementation.

About the MIDC Innovation Grand Challenge

The MIDC Innovation Grand Challenge is designed to identify innovative and practical solutions to real-world problems affecting industrial estates across Maharashtra. The challenge emphasizes solutions that can move beyond the idea or prototype stage and be implemented in actual industrial environments. The program aims to connect innovators with the Government of Maharashtra so that promising solutions can be tested, deployed, and potentially scaled across industrial infrastructure.

The initiative focuses on improving:

- Industrial infrastructure - Environmental sustainability - Resource efficiency - Infrastructure management - Industrial operations - Renewable energy adoption - Waste and wastewater management - Carbon and emission management - Technology-driven infrastructure solutions What Does the MIDC Innovation Grand Challenge Support? The challenge supports innovative solutions that address specific problems faced by industries and industrial estates in Maharashtra. Applicants must select one of five problem statements and propose a solution capable of creating measurable real-world impact.

The challenge supports ideas related to:

- Smart road infrastructure - Carbon capture and emission management - Wastewater and effluent treatment - Desalination and water management - Waste recycling - Renewable and sustainable energy - Artificial intelligence - Industrial infrastructure management The emphasis is on ready-to-implement solutions rather than ideas that require extensive development before they can be used. Five Problem Statements

1. Smart Pothole Detection and Repair

This problem statement focuses on innovative technologies for detecting and repairing potholes in industrial areas. Applicants can propose solutions that improve the speed, accuracy, efficiency, or cost-effectiveness of road maintenance.

Potential approaches may include:

- Artificial intelligence - Computer vision - Smart sensors - Automated detection systems - Digital mapping - Predictive maintenance - Automated or innovative repair technologies The proposed solution should demonstrate how pothole-related problems can be identified and addressed more efficiently in industrial estates.

2. Carbon Capture, Emission Management and Trading

This category seeks innovative solutions for managing industrial carbon emissions and supporting decarbonization.

Proposals may focus on:

- Carbon capture technologies - Industrial emission monitoring - Carbon measurement - Emission management - Carbon utilization - Carbon trading systems - Data-driven emission tracking - Industrial decarbonization Solutions should demonstrate how industries can better monitor, reduce, capture, or manage their carbon emissions.

3. Wastewater, Effluent Treatment, Desalination and Waste Recycling

This problem statement focuses on sustainable management of water and waste generated by industrial activities.

Innovators can propose solutions for:

- Wastewater treatment - Industrial effluent treatment - Water recovery - Desalination - Waste recycling - Resource recovery - Water reuse - Circular economy applications The objective is to develop practical solutions that can reduce pollution, improve water efficiency, recover valuable resources, and support sustainable industrial operations.

4. Renewable and Sustainable Green Energy Solutions

This category focuses on solutions that can help industrial estates adopt cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.

Proposals may address:

- Renewable energy generation - Energy efficiency - Energy storage - Sustainable power systems - Green energy integration - Industrial energy management - Energy optimization - Reduction of conventional energy dependence Solutions should demonstrate their potential for practical use within industrial environments.

5. AI-Driven Solutions for Industrial Infrastructure

This problem statement focuses on applying artificial intelligence to improve industrial infrastructure and management.

AI-based solutions may address:

- Infrastructure monitoring - Predictive maintenance - Asset management - Infrastructure inspection - Operational optimization - Data analysis - Safety monitoring - Resource management - Intelligent decision-making Applicants should clearly explain how artificial intelligence can solve a specific infrastructure problem and produce measurable improvements. Funding and Prize Pool The MIDC Innovation Grand Challenge offers a total prize pool of ₹2 Crore, approximately equivalent to US$240,000. The prize is structured around implementation of the selected solutions.

Key points include:

- Total prize pool: ₹2 Crore

- Approximate value: US$240,000

- Purpose: Implementation of selected innovative solutions

- Implementation mechanism: Government work order

- Government partner: Government of Maharashtra

The prize money will be integrated into the work order issued to the final awardees for executing their proposed solutions. How Will the Prize Money Be Used? The challenge is designed to connect the recognition of innovative solutions with actual implementation. Rather than treating the prize only as an awar