Flipkart Ventures, the investment arm of e-commerce giant Flipkart, has partnered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to launch the Flipkart Tourism Challenge.
The initiative, which was launched under the Government of India’s Startup India program and as part of the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, aims to accelerate tech-led innovations in India’s travel and tourism ecosystem.
Inviting startups to submit solutions
Through this challenge, DPIIT-recognised startups and Indian companies are invited to submit solutions that enhance the traveller experience, offering ideas in discovery, personalisation, immersive previews, affordability tools powered by artificial intelligence, and technology-enabled experiences on the ground.
The initiative is designed to encourage the development of tools that make travel more accessible and engaging for a broad range of consumers, especially in a market as diverse as India.
Leadership comments
Lubna Ahmed, Vice President and Head of Flipkart Ventures, emphasised the importance of empowering startups with both capital and mentorship. “At Flipkart Ventures, we see startups as key drivers of innovation and economic growth,” she said.
“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,” Ahmed added.
Winners to receive cash and mentorship
Applications for the challenge are currently open and will close on May 5, 2025. The top winner will receive Rs 2.5 lakh in cash, mentorship from Flipkart leadership, and a potential slot in Flipkart Leap Ahead, the company’s accelerator program that offers up to $500,000 in seed capital.
The program also includes training designed by Bain & Company, the opportunity to pilot solutions with Flipkart Group companies, and access to a wider network of venture capitalists. The runner-up will be awarded Rs 1 lakh and receive strategic mentorship and capability-building support.
A representative from Startup India highlighted the collaboration’s broader impact, saying, “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.”
Focused on nurturing India’s startup ecosystem
This initiative is part of Flipkart Ventures’ broader commitment to nurturing India’s startup ecosystem through Flipkart Leap Ahead (FLA), a program backed by a $100 million seed-stage fund.
Since its launch in 2022, Flipkart Ventures has supported more than 20 early-stage startups. Flipkart Group, which includes Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Cleartrip, and super.money, continues to expand its support for entrepreneurship across the country.
