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Startup Ignite

THE PITCH STAGE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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Present Breakthrough Plant-Based Business Ideas
To Like Minded Investors

The Startup Ignite Pitch Stage is back at the Vegan India Conference 2026—bigger, bolder, and packed with even more potential.
This is your moment to take center stage, pitch your startup to a curated audience of impact investors, industry veterans, venture capitalists, and global leaders in conscious consumption—all under one roof. Whether you’re building in plant-based food, alternative proteins, ethical fashion, clean beauty, sustainability tech, or cruelty-free wellness, this is the platform designed to accelerate your growth.

  • ₹3,00,000 Grand Prize for the winning pitch.₹2,00,000 Grand Prize for the runner up.

  • Exposure to VCs, angel networks, accelerators, and global ecosystem partners.

  • Mentorship sessions with leading founders and operators.

  • Chance to become part of India’s fastest-growing conscious community.

  • Exhibit space opportunity for select finalists to showcase products during the 3-day conference.

Who Should Apply?

Gather your data, brush up your numbers, strengthen your arguments and apply for a spot to pitch your venture at the VIC Startup Pitch Stage. VIC Startup Ignite offers you the perfect stage to pitch your plant-based company to an esteemed jury of value aligned investors in a closed-door session.
The winning pitch is awarded a monetary grant by Vegan India Conference.

​If you're building for a kinder, cleaner, and more conscious future—this stage is yours. We’re looking for early to growth-stage startups innovating in:

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  • Plant-based food & beverages

  • Fermentation-based proteins

  • Ethical fashion & cruelty-free beauty

  • Sustainable packaging & clean tech

  • Vegan wellness, lifestyle, or marketplaces

The right access changes trajectory

Ready to Ignite? Here is how to apply :

  • Submit Your Application: Provide details about your startup, including your mission, product/service offerings, and market potential.

  • Pitch Deck Submission: Upload a comprehensive pitch deck outlining your business model, financial projections, and growth strategy.

  • Selection Process: Shortlisted startups will be invited to present their pitches during the conference.

APPLICATIONS OPEN

19th March 2026

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 

10th May 2026

LIVE PITCH EVENT

6th June 2026

The Startup Pitch Stage is organized In Partnership with
Humane World for Animals Programme

The Humane Entrepreneurship Program is an intensive mentorship initiative designed for businesses innovating in the space of new food proteins. We empower entrepreneurs to accelerate products beyond the ideation stage by offering access to an ecosystem of mentors, expert advisors, allied stakeholders, and investors. We start through in-person engaging bootcamps across Indian cities to support early-stage entrepreneurs. Selected start-ups from the bootcamps get a chance to work with our team and our global network of experts, mentors and investors for three months. The program helps scale innovations and launches impactful solutions to market for a better tomorrow for animals.
Humane World for Animals India is making India a better place for animals through direct care programs, policy change, capacity-building and humane education. We are one of India’s largest not-for-profit animal protection organizations and one of the only groups that works to protect all animals. We believe animal welfare is the key to creating a more humane society, one that’s free from violence and discrimination.

Get a chance to back purpose aligned startups that are revolutionizing the plant-based sector globally.


Join our exclusive investor network -

Where Vision Meets Opportunity

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