MC²+ Ignite is a sector-specific
accelerator programme for deep-tech startups in India’s energy sector
¨
MC²+ Ignite is a
sector-specific accelerator programme for deep-tech startups in India’s energy
sector.
¨
MC²+, a brand of the MC²
Foundation, launched the programme on 19 August 2026 at IIT Madras.
¨
The launch was attended
by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, oil and gas public sector
undertakings, and bp India.
¨
The MC² Foundation was
created to bring technology problem statements from India’s major oil and gas
companies onto a common platform.
¨
The foundation works with
public sector undertakings and research institutions to reduce duplication in
research and investment across the energy value chain.
¨
MC²+ Ignite plans to
select around 30 startups for its first cohort.
¨
The programme targets
startups at the prototype-to-early-pilot stage.
¨
Selected startups can
receive up to ₹2 crore in milestone-linked convertible funding.
¨
The funding includes up
to ₹50 lakh in initial funding and up to ₹1.5 crore in milestone-based funding.
¨
The accelerator will be
headquartered in Delhi.
¨
It will establish
decentralised nodes within the R&D centres of sponsoring PSU companies.
¨
These nodes will provide
startups with access to pilot sites for testing energy technologies in real
operational environments.
¨
Institutional partners
include IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, C-CAMP and Venture
Center, Pune.
¨
These institutions will
provide startups with laboratory infrastructure, mentoring and technical
support.
¨
Participating oil and gas
PSUs include ONGC, Indian Oil, BPCL, HPCL, GAIL, Oil India and Petronet LNG.
¨
The participating PSUs
are expected to contribute around ₹70–80 crore to the platform during its first
year.
¨
MC²+ Ignite aims to
promote deep-tech innovation in the energy sector, provide startups with
real-world testing opportunities and accelerate the adoption of technological
solutions across India’s energy value chain.
