The HCL Group, in partnership with the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), has launched the HCL ClimaForce Fund, a philanthropic initiative worth INR 25 crore aimed at supporting market-ready climate innovations in India. The fund will focus on empowering solutions in the cooling, buildings, and freight mobility sectors, which are crucial to India’s development and climate goals. The initiative comes at a critical time, as India’s cooling demand is expected to rise eightfold by 2037-38, and the country’s built environment is projected to more than double by 2040, leading to concerns about carbon-intensive construction and energy use.
The ClimaForce Fund will support solutions that are market-ready, with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 or higher. The fund will foster collaboration between innovators and industries, providing a pathway for corporates to integrate cutting-edge, low-carbon technologies into their operations. This will help them meet regulatory requirements and market demands for more sustainable practices. The fund will also provide a platform for innovators to scale their solutions, with the potential for long-term business viability and contributions to India’s climate goals.
The HCL ClimaForce Fund is a unique initiative that goes beyond traditional grants. Selected innovations will be piloted with industry partners, backed by expert technical support, to validate their effectiveness and scalability. The fund will have two phases, with the first phase focusing on cooling and buildings, and the second phase, starting in 2027, focusing on freight mobility solutions. The call for applications is open from April 30, 2025, to June 10, 2025, and the first round of pilots will be announced in October 2025.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of the HCL Group, commented, “The HCL ClimaForce Fund marks the beginning of HCL’s long-term commitment to climate leadership, anchored in innovation, scale, and decisive action.” Shloka Nath, CEO of the India Climate Collaborative, added, “We are at a critical juncture where innovation must meet urgency. The HCL ClimaForce Fund is a bold step toward accelerating solutions that can help India grow while staying within planetary boundaries.”
The HCL ClimaForce Fund is open to for-profit enterprises with innovative new products, business models, and platforms. Applicants must demonstrate measurable emissions impact, business viability, and readiness for commercial deployment in India. The proposals will be reviewed by a jury of climate specialists, investors, and industry experts, with ongoing mentorship provided to selected grantees. More information on the fund, including eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and timelines, can be found on the website hclclimaforcefund.com.