Handloom India Young Innovation Challenge 2026 (HIYIC 2026)

The Handloom India Young Innovation Challenge 2026 (HIYIC 2026) invites young innovators, startups, and weavers to develop transformative solutions for India's handloom sector with seed funding up to ₹30 Lakhs.

The Handloom India Young Innovation Challenge 2026 (HIYIC 2026) is a flagship initiative spearheaded by AIC IIT Delhi, in close collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology (CoEHT), IIT Delhi. This impactful program is strategically supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, reflecting a national commitment to revitalizing and modernizing the traditional handloom sector.

This challenge is meticulously designed to harness the power of young minds and innovative ventures, fostering a new era of growth and sustainability within India's rich handloom heritage. It extends an open invitation to a diverse group of participants, including young innovators, burgeoning startups, dedicated researchers, seasoned industry professionals, individual master weavers, and established weaver associations and cooperatives. The core objective is to galvanize these diverse stakeholders to collectively conceive and develop ground-breaking solutions that address critical challenges and unlock new opportunities across the entire handloom value chain.

The HIYIC 2026 specifically seeks to stimulate innovation across five pivotal themes: Farm (sustainable materials, natural dyes, farmer-weaver linkages), Fibre (yarn innovation, fibre processing, recycled materials), Factory (loom innovation, digital tools, sustainable manufacturing practices), Fashion (contemporary design, effective branding, enhanced customer experiences), and Foreign (global market access, export strategies, and international branding). By focusing on these interconnected areas, the challenge aims to integrate technology, promote ecological sustainability, and champion innovative design, ultimately ensuring the enduring vibrancy and global competitiveness of the Indian handloom sector.