Bengaluru is stepping up its commitment to sustainability with the launch of the Urban Innovation Challenge, designed to tackle pressing environmental issues and enhance the quality of life for its residents. This initiative, part of the global Yes/Cities program led by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and UpLink, aims to support early-stage innovations in key areas such as air quality, water management, and resilience to extreme weather conditions.
The "Yes Bengaluru" challenge, officially announced by the Department of Electronics and IT/BT on July 8th, 2025, marks Bengaluru as only the second global city, after San Francisco, to launch such an innovation-focused program. The challenge seeks to engage startups in finding sustainable solutions for the city's civic issues, with the goal of creating a more sustainable and livable environment for future generations.
Inspired by the success of "Yes San Francisco," launched in 2023, "Yes Bengaluru" is a call to action for innovators to propose transformative ideas aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of Karnataka, the World Economic Forum, and a coalition of public and private collaborators. Global consulting firm Deloitte is partnering with the department, acting as the knowledge partner for the program. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solidify these partnerships is expected.
The Urban Innovation Challenge focuses on several key areas: efficient utilities solutions, green and resilient city solutions, and reliable mobility solutions. These areas encompass a range of urban challenges, including air and noise pollution, waste management, traffic congestion, and water treatment.
Adding to these efforts, UnboxingBLR has unveiled the second edition of the Namma Bengaluru Challenge (NBC '26), an urban innovation accelerator designed to tackle environmental issues through cutting-edge climate-tech solutions. Backed by partners such as the Government of Karnataka, Greater Bengaluru Authority, Social Alpha, and WTFund, the NBC '26 seeks to inspire startups across India to develop and pilot sustainable solutions for the city's most pressing challenges, including air pollution, water conservation, waste management, and sustainable construction.
The winners of the NBC '26 will be awarded a ₹25 lakh grant, along with comprehensive incubation support, to test and deploy their solutions in Bengaluru, effectively transforming the city into a "living lab" for scalable climate technologies. Startups participating in the challenge will have the opportunity to pilot solutions that can be replicated across other urban centers in India, accelerating the nation's transition towards a more sustainable future. Interested innovators have until November 4th to submit their applications.
These initiatives come at a crucial time, with India's urban population expected to reach 40% by 2030. Bengaluru, known as India's Silicon Valley, faces multiple urban sustainability challenges, including poor air quality, water scarcity, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. By fostering innovation and collaboration, Bengaluru aims to become a model sustainable city, improving the quality of life for its residents and contributing to a greener future.
