Cars24 launches Grand Startup Challenge with ₹1 crore prize pool

Cars24 has announced its inaugural Grand Startup Challenge, a national competition featuring a ₹1 crore prize pool. Developed in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), and the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), the initiative aims to support early-stage Indian founders by providing capital, mentorship, and access to real-world operational environments.

The challenge is a flagship component of a Memorandum of Understanding between Cars24 and DPIIT to bolster the Indian startup ecosystem. Beyond financial rewards, the program offers winners opportunities for live pilots within Cars24’s operations, technical resources, and access to Cars24 AI Labs. The national finale is scheduled to take place around National Startup Day on January 16, 2027.