MNRE Hosts Startup Exhibition, Showcases India’s Hydrogen Innovation Surge

The exhibition highlighted the diversity and depth of this ecosystem, ranging from core production technologies to end-use applications and digital solutions.

In a major push to accelerate India’s transition to clean energy, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organized a one-day Hydrogen Startup Exhibition, spotlighting the country’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem in green hydrogen technologies.

The exhibition brought together 18 cutting-edge startups working across the hydrogen value chain, marking a significant step in fostering entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and industry collaboration in one of the most critical sectors for India’s energy future.

A Growing Hydrogen Startup Ecosystem

India’s hydrogen innovation landscape is witnessing strong momentum, with 249 startups identified in the sector as of September 2025, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The exhibition highlighted the diversity and depth of this ecosystem, ranging from core production technologies to end-use applications and digital solutions.

Participating startups represented a wide spectrum of innovation areas, including:

• Electrolyser technologies (5 startups) – focusing on advanced stacks and components

• Hydrogen production (2 startups)

• Fuel cell systems (1 startup)

• Hydrogen applications (1 startup)

• Safety technologies (1 startup) – including MEMS-based sensors

• Drone-based hydrogen solutions (2 startups)

• Hydrogen cooking technologies (3 startups)

• AI/ML-driven solutions (1 startup)

• Bio-hydrogen innovations (2 startups)

This wide representation reflects the emergence of a holistic hydrogen ecosystem spanning production, storage, safety, and applications.

Platform for Collaboration and Investment

The exhibition served as a high-impact platform for startups to showcase their technologies and engage with key stakeholders from government, industry, and academia. Such interactions are expected to accelerate commercialization, attract investments, and foster partnerships essential for scaling innovations.

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Sood, interacted with startup founders, highlighting the importance of innovation-led growth in achieving India’s clean energy ambitions. Senior officials including MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Sarangi and National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) Director Shri Abhay Bakre were also present, reaffirming policy-level support for the sector.

Policy Push Under National Green Hydrogen Mission

The exhibition builds on MNRE’s broader strategy to position India as a global leader in green hydrogen under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

A key initiative in this direction is the scheme for New and Novel Uses of Hydrogen Production and Applications, launched last year. Under this scheme:

• ₹100 crore has been earmarked for startup funding

• Each startup can receive up to ₹5 crore in grants for pilot projects

Following the call for proposals issued in September 2025, the response from the startup ecosystem has been robust:

• 111 applications received

• 58 startups shortlisted for presentations before the Project Appraisal Committee

The results of these evaluations are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, potentially unlocking significant funding for innovative hydrogen solutions.

Building on Momentum: Second Edition of Hydrogen Expo

The current exhibition marks the second such initiative by MNRE, following the successful hydrogen startup showcase held during the R&D Conference in September 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, where over 25 startups had participated.

The continuation of such platforms signals the government’s sustained commitment to nurturing innovation and bridging the gap between research and commercialization.

Driving India’s Clean Energy Future

Green hydrogen is widely seen as a cornerstone of India’s decarbonization strategy, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, transport, and energy storage.

By supporting startups and fostering a collaborative innovation ecosystem, MNRE aims to:

• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels

• Promote indigenous technology development

• Create new economic and employment opportunities

• Position India as a global hub for green hydrogen

As the hydrogen economy gathers pace globally, India’s focus on innovation-driven growth—backed by policy support and entrepreneurial energy—places it firmly on the path toward a sustainable and energy-secure future.