Heat and Health Innovation Challenge 1.0Â
The Centre of Excellence on Climate & Health (CoE-CH) presents Heat & Health Innovation Challenge (HHIC),
a national stage for startups and visionaries to deploy breakthrough innovations against escalating climate heat risks.Â
Heat & Health Innovation Challenge
(HHIC) at a Glance
Who should apply
Startups, MSMEs, Innovators,
NGOs across India
Focus Sectors
Cross-Sectoral Innovation
Themes
The Reward
₹1,75,000 Total Cash Pool
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The Challenge
Extreme heat is one of the fastest-growing climate risks, impacting public health, livelihoods, water security, and infrastructure across India. Addressing
this challenge requires innovative, scalable, and locally relevant solutions.
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The Heat & Health Innovation Challenge (HHIC) 1.0), a flagship initiative of the Centre of Excellence on Climate & Health (CoE-CH), is launched in Telangana with a national outreach to identify and showcase innovations at the intersection of heat and health.
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HHIC brings together startups, innovators, professionals, enterprises, government, industry, corporate CSR, and healthcare institutions to catalyse
climate-resilient solutions.
Why Apply?
Elite Mentorship
Deep-dive business model refinement, prototype validation, and technical guidance from leading industry experts.Â
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 Market and Government Access
Direct avenue to pitch your solution directly to state agencies, urban local bodies, and industrial deployment partners.Â
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Investment Readiness
Work directly with top climate scientists and public policy experts to validate findings and ensure long-term sustainability.
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Challenge Themes
Theme 1: Built Environment & Infrastructure Resilience
Next-Gen Cooling Solutions
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Developing passive cooling systems, highly reflective building materials, and ultra-efficient climate
control technologies.
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Designing smart shade systems, implementing
microclimate management tools, and structuring
heat-resilient urban planning frameworks.
Theme 2: Tech, Energy & Predictive Data Systems     Â
Early Warning Networks
Deploying real-time climate data modeling platforms, predictive heat intelligence tools, and rapid
response mapping frameworks.
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Thermal-Resilient Grid Systems
Building heat-tolerant energy distribution setups and digital software solutions engineered to withstand extreme thermal stress.
Theme 3: Public Health & Workforce Safety          Â
Occupational Protection
Engineering wearable cooling tech, smart heatstroke prevention monitoring systems, and specialized safety innovations for outdoor workforces.
Community Climate-Proofing
Retrofitting vulnerable public spaces and school infrastructure, alongside deploying digital tools for
targeted hazard awareness.
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Who Can Apply?
Early and Growth-Stage Startups & MSMEs
Innovators and Tech DevelopersÂ
Social Enterprises / NGOs / CSOsÂ
Challenge Timeline
Phase I
Outreach
&
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Launch
Phase II
Application
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ScreeningÂ
Phase III
 Evaluation
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ShortlistingÂ
Phase IV
Mentorship
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Acceleration
Phase V
Demo Day
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Awards
Cash Awards
1st Prize: ₹1,00,000Â
2nd Prize: ₹50,000
3rd Prize: ₹25,000
Challenge Partners
Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth
