Agropak, a biotechnology startup developing sustainable packaging solutions, has been awarded the ₹31.4 lakh Big Pi Grant at SusCrunch 2026, receiving India’s largest non-dilutive grant for an early-stage climate startup. The grant, presented by The Sustainability Mafia (SusMafia), is designed to help climate-focused ventures scale their innovations without requiring founders to give up equity.
Agropak has developed a natural fibre-based materials platform that produces premium bio-based packaging for the beauty and personal care industry. The funding will support the company’s product development, commercial validation and market expansion while enabling it to strengthen its position in the growing sustainable packaging sector.
Beyond the financial grant, Agropak will receive mentorship from industry experts, strategic business guidance, access to startup incubators, government support programmes and continued engagement with SusMafia’s network of investors, entrepreneurs and climate-focused initiatives. The grant derives its name from the mathematical constant Pi (3.14), symbolising innovation and breakthrough thinking.
The award was announced during the third edition of SusCrunch, which brought together climate entrepreneurs, investors, corporations and ecosystem leaders. The event saw participation from leading investors, including Zerodha and 3one4 Capital, along with companies such as Reliance, Biocon, Zomato and Apollo Hospitals, highlighting growing industry interest in supporting climate technologies and sustainable businesses.
India’s climate technology ecosystem has witnessed significant growth over the past decade. According to industry estimates, climate-tech startups in the country have attracted nearly US$12.8 billion in investments across more than 1,500 companies between 2008 and June 2026. At the same time, global early-stage funding for climate ventures has slowed, making non-dilutive grants increasingly valuable for startups seeking to move from research and pilot projects to commercial deployment.
The Big Pi Grant is jointly supported by SusMafia and the BITS Pilani PIEDS Accelerator. More than 50 climate startups from BITS Pilani, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other innovation ecosystems applied for this year’s programme through the SusVentures network. After multiple rounds of evaluation covering innovation, climate impact, business potential, market validation and scalability, five startups working in water management, waste management, climate intelligence, sustainable materials and the built environment were shortlisted. Agropak emerged as the winner.
The programme has already helped earlier recipients expand their businesses. BioCompute, which received the grant in 2024, established new laboratory facilities, expanded internationally and raised more than ₹5 crore from institutional investors. Bisket Labs, the 2025 recipient, later secured the Karnataka Government’s ELEVATE Grant, demonstrating how early-stage grant funding can help startups attract additional investment and accelerate growth.
