Flipkart Ventures and DPIIT launch Flipkart Tourism Challenge

Flipkart Ventures, the investment arm of Flipkart, has announced the Flipkart Tourism Challenge in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Part of the Government of India’s Startup India initiative under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, the programme aims to encourage technology-driven solutions that can improve the overall experience for travelers and contribute meaningfully to the country’s evolving tourism landscape.

Open to DPIIT-recognised startups and Indian companies, the challenge seeks innovative travel-tech solutions in areas such as destination discovery, personalised travel planning, immersive previews, AI-enabled pricing tools, and tech-integrated on-ground experiences. The initiative comes amid growing demand for accessible, customised, and tech-forward travel options.

“At Flipkart Ventures, we see startups as key drivers of innovation and economic growth. Through the Flipkart Tourism Challenge, we aim to empower emerging entrepreneurs building scalable, tech-first solutions to real-world challenges by providing them with the capital, mentorship, and industry access they need to succeed. Our collaboration with DPIIT reflects a shared vision to accelerate digital innovation and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs driving India’s startup and digital economy,” said Lubna Ahmed, Vice President & Head of Flipkart Ventures.

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This challenge is also aligned with Flipkart Ventures’ broader efforts to support early-stage innovation through its accelerator programme, Flipkart Leap Ahead (FLA). Established in 2022 as part of a $100 million seed-stage fund, FLA is focused on identifying high-potential digital startups and offering them capital of up to $500K, strategic guidance, and access to a wider startup ecosystem. Flipkart Ventures has already invested in over 20 startups through this initiative.

“India’s startup ecosystem continues to be a beacon of innovation, solving challenges across sectors with scale and agility. The Flipkart Tourism Challenge is an exciting step in that direction, bringing together innovation, industry support, and real-world impact. Through this collaboration with Flipkart, we aim to empower homegrown startups to solve for India’s unique travel needs and accelerate their journey from idea to scale,” added a Startup India representative.

Applications for the Flipkart Tourism Challenge are open until May 5, 2025. The winning startup will receive Rs 2.5 lakh in prize money, mentorship from Flipkart leaders, and potential consideration for the FLA programme.

The winner may also get opportunities to pilot its solution with Flipkart Group companies, receive founder training curated by Bain & Company, and connect with Flipkart’s network of investors. The runner-up will receive Rs 1 lakh and access to mentorship and capability-building support.