Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has announced the launch of the ‘Emerge’ cohort under its BPCL Ankur Fund, aiming to support and fund innovative energy startups. This initiative is designed to accelerate advancements in Energy Efficiency and City Gas Distribution (CGD) while promoting sustainability and innovation in India’s energy sector.
Since its inception in 2016, BPCL’s startup initiative, ‘Ankur,’ has supported 30 startups with grants totaling Rs 28 crores. With the ‘Emerge’ cohort, the company plans to expand its support to startups that have developed a Proof of Concept (PoC), prototype, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), or fully implemented solutions.
Focus on Energy Efficiency
The ‘Emerge’ cohort is inviting applications from startups across two key themes: Energy Efficiency and CGD. Each category aims to drive innovation in critical areas of the energy sector.
- Energy Efficiency: This category focuses on AI-powered energy management, predictive maintenance, heat transfer optimization, and waste heat recovery solutions. Startups with technology-driven approaches to improving energy utilization and reducing waste are encouraged to apply.
- City Gas Distribution (CGD): This category seeks innovations in smart metering, pipeline monitoring, leak detection, and AI-driven project execution. Solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and operational excellence in gas distribution are of particular interest.
Investment and Funding Opportunities
BPCL’s Ankur Fund will provide investments of up to Rs 5 crores per startup. The funding will be offered through equity and Compulsory Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS), with a maximum stake of 20% in the startups. This financial support aims to help early-stage startups scale their innovations and bring impactful energy solutions to market.
By backing startups in energy efficiency and CGD, BPCL is committed to driving India’s transition towards a greener and more efficient energy future.
Applications Now Open for Startups
BPCL’s ‘Emerge’ cohort is now accepting applications, providing a significant opportunity for startups working on cutting-edge energy solutions. This initiative reinforces BPCL’s role as a key enabler of innovation and sustainability in India’s energy sector.
