EarthON Accelerator Grant

About this grant

The EarthON Accelerator is a hands-on program run by EarthON Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, designed to nurture grassroots entrepreneurs, NGOs, and early-stage startups primarily across India and the Global South. The accelerator blends philanthropy and investment to unlock the potential of organizations working to create livelihoods, restore ecosystems, and transform local economies. It operates through thematic Greenovation Challenges covering areas such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy for livelihoods, urban climate resilience, green steel, and agrivoltaics, attracting over 5,000 applications and awarding more than $100,000 in grants to date. The accelerator provides a comprehensive suite of support including residential bootcamps (called Greenovation Gurukools), access to mentors, experts, advisors, and funders, micro-grants, and connections to a broader ecosystem of co-organizers such as IIT Bombay, UNIDO, and the Network for Global Innovation (NGIN). The EarthON Academy complements this with online learning modules covering fundraising readiness, pitching, financial modeling, and investor landscape navigation. The EarthON Fund, a blended capital vehicle operating alongside the accelerator, provides grants and equity/debt investments for proof-of-concept and go-to-market stages, as well as coaching for long-term growth. The broader program also supports knowledge and ecosystem building through research reports, collaborative platforms with universities, and policy dialogues such as the Vasudha Dialogues, which aim to mobilize domestic philanthropy and investment for grassroots climate and livelihood innovators.

Eligibility

The EarthON Accelerator is open to grassroots entrepreneurs, NGOs, startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), social entrepreneurs, and youth-led innovators, primarily based in India and across the Global South. Specific thematic challenges have their own focus areas: the Agri Mechanization and SustainAgri Challenges target those working in sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods; the Renewable Energy for Livelihood Challenge targets early-stage innovations and market-ready solutions in clean energy for underserved rural and peri-urban communities; the Urban Climate Resilience Challenge targets innovators building solutions for heat resilience, clean air, nature-based solutions, and climate-safe livelihoods in Indian cities. The program also specifically highlights support for rural women entrepreneurs and NGOs. There is no explicit mention of restrictions on prior recipients.

How it's scored

Applications are evaluated through a thematic challenge process co-organized with institutions such as IIT Bombay, UNIDO, and the Network for Global Innovation. The program seeks high-potential ideas that are sustainable, community-rooted, and contextually relevant to India's development challenges. Innovations are assessed for their potential to create livelihoods, restore ecosystems, and scale impact. Finalists may be invited to residential bootcamps where they can refine their ideas and receive further mentorship. Specific scoring criteria, panel composition, and weightings are not disclosed on the page.

Key requirements

• ✓Grassroots entrepreneurs, NGOs, startups, or community-led organisations eligible
• ✓Focus on climate resilience, renewable energy, circular economy, or agroecology themes
• ✓Participation in thematic challenges, residential bootcamps, and mentorship programme
• ✓Access to expert networks and funder connections

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Akumtoshi Lkr (Sutsung Enterprise)
• Hina Saifi
• Jeevith Reddy
• Pahal Garwa

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for EarthON Accelerator?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL-SOUTH, GLOBAL; startup, nonprofit, social-enterprise, community-group, sme. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.