GJEPC, in collaboration with SINE, IIT Bombay, has launched the first edition of the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026, a national platform aimed at bringing startup-led innovation into India’s gems and jewellery sector.

The challenge invites startups, innovators and technology solution providers to address pressing industry needs across the jewellery value chain, spanning manufacturing, retail, supply chain, sustainability, automation, traceability, design and digital transformation.

Launched under GJEPC’s JewelStart initiative, the programme seeks to connect entrepreneurial problem-solving with real-world industry requirements. Areas of focus include smart factory monitoring, precious metal inventory and capital optimisation, smart manufacturing automation, sustainable jewellery manufacturing, affordable jewellery prototyping, and AI-led productivity and process enhancement.

Selected participants will gain access to industry recognition, expert evaluation, ecosystem validation and opportunities to explore pilot collaborations with leading stakeholders. The programme also offers exposure to SINE IIT Bombay’s innovation network and mentorship ecosystem.

JewelStart itself was launched earlier this year by GJEPC as a dedicated innovation, incubation and acceleration platform for the gem and jewellery industry, designed to encourage technology adoption, entrepreneurship and scalable business solutions.

The challenge is open to India-registered startups with validated prototypes, MVPs, pilot-stage or market-ready solutions relevant to the gems and jewellery ecosystem. Startups from adjacent sectors such as AI, IoT, sustainability, logistics and fintech are also eligible if their technologies can be adapted to industry applications.Applications for the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026 are open until 18 June 2026.