The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), in collaboration with SINE IIT Bombay, has launched the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026 — India’s first industry-led innovation programme dedicated to the gems and jewellery sector. The initiative aims to identify and support startups working on AI, automation, sustainability, smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and advanced jewellery technologies to help shape the future of the Indian jewellery industry.
Quick Summary
- GJEPC and SINE IIT Bombay launched the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026
- Applications opened on 25 May 2026
- The programme focuses on innovation across manufacturing, retail, sustainability, AI, automation, and digital transformation
- Eight high-priority industry problem statements have been identified
- Startups from AI, IoT, robotics, fintech, logistics, and sustainability sectors are encouraged to apply
- Selected startups will receive mentorship, incubation support, pilot opportunities, and investor access
- Final cohort announcement is expected in August 2026
- The initiative aims to strengthen India’s global leadership in gems and jewellery innovation
JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge Announced
JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge, in partnership with SINE IIT Bombay, invites tech startups across India to solve critical industry problems — from AI-powered design to sustainable manufacturing
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India’s apex trade body for the sector, in collaboration with SINE, IIT Bombay, announced the launch of the first ever JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge — a national programme designed to identify and fast-track innovation and technology startups transforming one of India’s most storied export industries. Applications opened on 25 May 2026, with the final cohort announcement expected in August 2026 following a structured five-stage evaluation process.
Focus Areas Across the Jewellery Value Chain
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.
Chairman Kirit Bhansali on Innovation-Led Growth
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “India’s gems and jewellery industry has always been built on craftsmanship and global trust. Today, we must focus our efforts on innovation and technology. The JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge is our commitment to ensuring that the next wave of growth for this sector is innovation-led. We are not just looking for solutions — we are building a long-term pipeline of startups that will define the future of jewellery manufacturing, design, and commerce in India and the world.”
Eight Priority Problem Statements Identified by GJEPC
GJEPC has identified eight high-priority problem statements across the industry’s value chain where startup innovation can deliver measurable impact:
- Smart Factory Monitoring — Real-time visibility into machines and production for reduced downtime and improved efficiency
- Precious Metal Inventory & Capital Optimisation — AI-driven inventory intelligence to reduce working capital lock-up and material losses
- Smart Automation — Advanced automation for stone setting, polishing, and finishing to improve consistency and throughput
- Sustainable Manufacturing — Eco-friendly chemical alternatives, waste treatment systems, and precious metal recovery solutions
- Affordable Jewellery Prototyping — Affordable design-to-prototype solutions that cut development timelines and costs
- AI-Powered Quality Control — Intelligent defect detection and inspection at every stage of the manufacturing lifecycle
- AI for 2D-to-3D CAD Conversion — Automated conversion of sketches and reference images into production-ready CAD models
- Generative AI for Jewellery Design — AI-enabled platforms that generate multiple design variations based on trends, styles, and references
Vice Chairman Shaunak Parikh on Technology Adoption
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “The gems and jewellery industry contributes enormously to India’s export economy, yet when it comes to technology adoption, we have barely scratched the surface. This challenge is about changing that reality. By connecting motivated startups with real industry problems and real industry stakeholders, we create the conditions for solutions that actually get adopted and scaled. This is how we take Indian jewellery manufacturing to the global frontier — not just in craft, but in capability.”
Structured Five-Phase Evaluation Process
The JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge runs across five structured phases. The national call for applications opened on 25 May 2026. Shortlisting and screening will follow through 22 June, after which a virtual evaluation round with an expert jury is scheduled for 20 July. Shortlisted teams will then present at a Physical Industry Showcase in August 2026, with the final cohort announcement made shortly thereafter.
Eligibility Criteria for Startups
The programme is open to registered Indian startups at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, with at least one full-time founder who is an Indian citizen. Critically, the challenge is not restricted to companies already operating in the jewellery space — startups from adjacent domains such as AI, IoT, robotics, sustainability technology, fintech, and logistics are explicitly encouraged to apply if their solutions can be adapted to the sector’s needs. There is no application fee.
Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray on Industry Transformation
Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC said, “JewelStart was built on a simple belief: that the challenges facing our industry are solvable, and that the solutions will come from entrepreneurs who see them differently. This Innovation Challenge gives those entrepreneurs a direct path into the industry — real access to manufacturers, real pilot opportunities, and real conversations with investors who understand this space. We are not just running a competition. We are building the next generation of companies that will power Indian jewellery.”
Mentorship, Industry Access and Funding Support
Startups accepted into the cohort will receive mentorship from domain experts and industry professionals, direct introductions to manufacturers, exporters, and retailers across GJEPC’s 10,000-plus member network, and access to SINE IIT Bombay’s incubation infrastructure and ecosystem. The programme also facilitates pilot collaborations with industry partners, providing the real-world validation that investors and customers require. Funding support is available for qualifying startups, with connections to relevant investors and funding bodies based on the specific problem statement, stage, and evaluation outcomes.
GJEPC’s Vision for the Future of Jewellery Innovation
The initiative marks a decisive shift in how India’s gems and jewellery sector — a multi-billion-dollar contributor to the country’s merchandise exports — intends to engage with the startup ecosystem. Rather than waiting for technology to trickle in, GJEPC is proactively defining the problems, inviting innovators to solve them, and backing the most promising ventures with mentorship, industry access, pilot opportunities, and connections to potential funding — all in service of JewelStart’s defining mission: “To make India the JEWELLER TO THE WORLD.”
About JewelStart
About JewelStart – https://jewelstart.org/jewelstart-industry-innovation-challenge/index.php
Jewel Start is GJEPC’s flagship incubation initiative designed to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness in India’s Gems & Jewellery sector. It bridges industry challenges through structured mentorship, technology access and market integration.
About The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10900+ members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.
About SINE IIT Bombay
Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) is the technology business incubator at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, established in 2004 to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
SINE supports startups through incubation, prototyping grants, mentorship, fellowships, and accelerator programs across sectors such as AI, ML, MedTech, BioTech, and FinTech.
Recognized as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of India.
Over the last two decades, SINE has incubated 320+ startups founded by 1000+ entrepreneurs, creating over 10,000 jobs. With strong collaborations across industry, academia, and government, SINE continues to enable technology-driven innovation and startup growth in India and beyond.
FAQs
What is the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge?
The JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge is a national innovation programme launched by GJEPC and SINE IIT Bombay to support startups solving technology and innovation challenges in the gems and jewellery sector.
Who can apply for the programme?
Registered Indian startups at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above with at least one full-time Indian founder can apply.
What sectors are encouraged to participate?
Startups from AI, IoT, robotics, sustainability technology, fintech, logistics, and related sectors are encouraged to participate if their solutions can serve the jewellery industry.
What support will selected startups receive?
Selected startups will receive mentorship, incubation support, industry access, pilot opportunities, and potential investor connections.
Is there any application fee?
No, there is no application fee for the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge.
When will the final cohort be announced?
The final cohort announcement is expected in August 2026 after a five-stage evaluation process.
Source: SVAR Media Network
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