Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF) has opened applications for the 11th edition of its flagship biennial platform, Indian Innovation Icons, seeking breakthrough innovations that address India's evolving challenges. The initiative, launched in 2006, has become a premier recognition platform for 'currently hidden, yet potentially game-changing' Indian innovations creating socio-economic and environmental impact.
Application Details and Categories
Applications are open from June 22, 2026, to July 22, 2026, for innovations in Business (For-Profit) and Social (Not-For-Profit) categories. Interested innovators can apply through the Indian Innovation Icons 2027 application form.
Rigorous Evaluation Process
The selection process spans over eight months, featuring two rounds of independent jury deliberations for each category, followed by detailed on-ground due diligence conducted by Deloitte Monitor, the independent knowledge partner.
Distinguished Jury
The Business Category jury is chaired by Amit Chandra, Chairperson Bain Capital and India, Co-Founder, ATE Capital. Members include Namita Thapar, Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals; Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog; Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory; Prabha Narasimhan, MD & CEO, Colgate-Palmolive India; Ravi Mariwala, Chairman and MD, Smaart Water; and Sanjiv Kaul, Senior Partner, ChrysCapital.
The Social Category jury, also chaired by Amit Chandra, includes Deepali Khanna, Senior Vice President and Head of Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation; Samarinita Shetty, Co-founder and CEO, IDR; Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation; Aniket Doegar, CEO, Haqdarshak; Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-founder, AssisTech Foundation; and Luis Miranda, Co-founder and Chairperson, Indian School of Public Policy.
Grand Finale and Benefits for Winners
The grand finale will be held on March 4, 2027, at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai. Winners will receive strategic guidance from Harsh Mariwala, access to MIF's ecosystem of investors and business leaders, bespoke mentoring from Marico's senior leadership, enhanced national visibility, and curated growth opportunities.
Quotes from Key Figures
Harsh Mariwala, Founder, Marico Innovation Foundation, stated, 'India is witnessing a strong wave of innovators building solutions that have the potential to create meaningful impact at scale. Yet, many breakthrough ideas often remain under-recognized. Through Indian Innovation Icons, we aim to identify and champion such disruptive innovations by providing them with greater visibility, access to networks, and opportunities.'
Amit Chandra, Jury Chair and Chairperson of the Governing Council at MIF, said, 'India's future will be shaped by people who see problems differently and have the courage to build disruptive solutions. Indian Innovation Icons exists to identify and champion such innovators early in their journey. Past winners like Skyroot Aerospace, Dozee, and Astrome Technologies are powerful examples of what happens when bold ideas are recognized and backed early.'
Past Success and Impact
Previous winners include Skyroot Aerospace, Indra Water, People's Archive of Rural India (PARI), India Development Review (IDR), Ishitva Robotic Systems, Dozee, and Khushi Baby. In the previous edition, the platform received over 1,100 applications from across India.
Suranjana Ghosh, Head, Marico Innovation Foundation, commented, 'It has been exciting to witness the progress of our past winners and see how India's innovation ecosystem has evolved. As we launch the 11th edition, we are eager to discover the ideas, innovators, and impact stories that have emerged.'
