Dream

Dream

Develop

Develop

Disrupt

Disrupt

{D3 Startup

{D3 Startup

Challenge 2026]

Challenge 2026]

Innovation Partner

Dream

Develop

Disrupt

{D3 Startup

Challenge 2026]

Innovation Partner

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

D3 Startup Challenge 2026

Reimagine what’s possible.
Build what’s next.

Reimagine, future-ready at the speed of disruption

Reimagine, future-ready at the speed of disruption

UST's D3 Startup Challenge connects high-growth enterprise-ready B2B startups with UST to co-innovate, develop enterprise solutions, and unlock go-to-market opportunities.

Explore our 2026 domains:

  • AI Models, Trust & Responsibility

  • Future of Healthcare & Life Sciences

  • The Future of Engineering and Semiconductors

  • The Future of Telecom and Technology

  • The Future of Retail, CPG, and Manufacturing

  • The Future of Financial Services and Banking

  • The Future of Automotive

BENEFITS

What’s in it for your Startup?

Global visibility and connections with UST clients and business leaders

Global visibility and connections with UST clients and business leaders

Global visibility and connections with UST clients and business leaders

Joint go-to-market initiatives with UST business teams

Joint go-to-market initiatives with UST business teams

Joint go-to-market initiatives with UST business teams

Opportunity for commercial engagements and investments

Potential paid pilots and proof of concepts (PoCs)

Potential paid pilots and proof of concepts (PoCs)

Potential paid pilots and proof of concepts (PoCs)

Expert guidance and SME support

Expert guidance and SME support

Expert guidance and SME support

Visibility and access to UST clients and business owners globally

Technology testing and validation

Technology testing and validation

Pathways to commercial engagements and investments

Pathways to commercial engagements and investments

THEMES

Domains we are reimagining

AI Models, Trust & Responsibility
Future of Healthcare & Life Sciences
The future of engineering and semiconductors
The future of engineering and semiconductors
The future of telecom and technology
The future of telecom and technology
The future of retail, CPG, and manufacturing
The future of retail, CPG, and manufacturing
The future of financial services and banking
The future of financial services and banking
The future of automotive
The future of automotive

THEMES

Domains we are reimagining

01

AI Models, Trust & Responsibility

Collaborate, co-create, and tap into external ecosystems to drive innovation through startup partnerships.

02

Internal Innovation

Empower your team to innovate with customized intrapreneurship workshops and training programs by leading innovation strategy consultants in India.

03

New Market Entry 

Partnerships with global associations like La French Tech and Enterprise Singapore help their startups access India, while collaboration with large corporates includes learning expeditions to immerse participants in the country's innovation ecosystem.

04

Digital Transformation & New Product Development

Transform ideas into market-ready solutions through design thinking, rapid prototyping, and technology-led innovation.

05

Corporate Venture Capital as a service

Build and manage corporate venture capital initiatives to discover, invest in, and collaborate with high-potential startups.

06

Government & Ecosystem Partnerships

Partnerships with state and national governments to design and run programmes, pipelines, and global partnerships that transform regional ecosystems into innovation hubs turning policy vision into measurable outcomes, from incubation to international corridors.

Key Dates

Program Timeline

Speaker Presenting at Conference with Audience
Speaker Presenting at Conference with Audience

WHO WE ARE

About UST

Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering, R&D, products, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive business outcomes. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse expertise, innovation, and agility into our clients' organizations delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact touching billions of lives in the process.

Know more

INNOVATION PARTNER

About
Link Innovations

Link is a global innovation consulting company with a legacy of over 25 years working with multinational corporations from sectors across oil & gas, energy, renewables, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace in enabling strong startup-corporate partnership for their R&D and business use cases.

Link partners with corporates, startups, government bodies, and academia to facilitate impactful collaboration and provides a spectrum of services to its partners and clients.

Know more

Speaker Presenting at Conference with Audience

FAQ's

You have questions,
We have answers

What are the program timelines?

The D3 Startup Challenge launches in August 2026, when startup evaluation and selection will begin. The City Pitch Series is planned for September and October, leading up to the D3 Startup Expo on October 13. Startup engagements will begin following the Expo. Dates are subject to change.

Is it a full-time and in-person program?

The program will follow a hybrid format, with most activities conducted virtually. However, shortlisted startups are expected to attend City Pitch Series in person in Trivandrum and Bangalore.

How will my data and IP be protected once I apply?

The information submitted through this application will be shared by Link Innovations with UST solely for the purpose of administering this program. UST will process personal data in accordance with its Data Privacy Policy.
Please do not submit any confidential or proprietary information as part of your application. Only include publicly available or non-confidential information. All information and documents submitted during the application process will be treated as non-confidential. For selected startups, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be executed before any confidential information or intellectual property is shared.

Who can apply to the program?

The program is open to mature, enterprise-ready B2B startups that have a proven solution, and who have demonstrated market traction with potential for enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, pilots, or commercial engagements.

What is the support is provided to startups during the course of the program?

  1. Global visibility and connections wth UST clients and business leaders

  2. Joint go-to-market initiatives with UST business teams

  3. Potential paid pilots and proof of concepts (PoCs)

  4. Expert guidance and SME support

  5. Technology testing and validation

  6. Pathways to commercial engagements and investments

How can I apply to the program?

You can apply to the program via 'Apply Now' button or you can click here to access the application.

What is the selection process and parameters ?

Round 1 evaluations: Applications will be screened based on fitment to UST's problem statements, enterprise readiness, traction, technology maturity and team.

Round 2 evaluations: In this round, startups will undergo an in-depth assessment of their technology, product, and business potential with UST.

City Pitch Series: Shortlisted startups will be invited on-site (Bengaluru or Trivandrum) to present their solutions to UST business leaders, opening the door to potential engagement opportunities.

D3 Startup Expo: Startups selected as finalists from City Pitch Series will be invited to showcase their innovations to UST leadership and global teams. Startups reviewed and selected at D3 Startup Expo will get an opportunity to work with UST.

What are the program timelines?

The D3 Startup Challenge launches in August 2026, when startup evaluation and selection will begin. The City Pitch Series is planned for September and October, leading up to the D3 Startup Expo on October 13. Startup engagements will begin following the Expo. Dates are subject to change.

Is it a full-time and in-person program?

The program will follow a hybrid format, with most activities conducted virtually. However, shortlisted startups are expected to attend City Pitch Series in person in Trivandrum and Bangalore.

How will my data and IP be protected once I apply?

The information submitted through this application will be shared by Link Innovations with UST solely for the purpose of administering this program. UST will process personal data in accordance with its Data Privacy Policy.
Please do not submit any confidential or proprietary information as part of your application. Only include publicly available or non-confidential information. All information and documents submitted during the application process will be treated as non-confidential. For selected startups, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be executed before any confidential information or intellectual property is shared.

Who can apply to the program?

The program is open to mature, enterprise-ready B2B startups that have a proven solution, and who have demonstrated market traction with potential for enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, pilots, or commercial engagements.

What is the support is provided to startups during the course of the program?

  1. Global visibility and connections wth UST clients and business leaders

  2. Joint go-to-market initiatives with UST business teams

  3. Potential paid pilots and proof of concepts (PoCs)

  4. Expert guidance and SME support

  5. Technology testing and validation

  6. Pathways to commercial engagements and investments

How can I apply to the program?

You can apply to the program via 'Apply Now' button or you can click here to access the application.

What is the selection process and parameters ?

Round 1 evaluations: Applications will be screened based on fitment to UST's problem statements, enterprise readiness, traction, technology maturity and team.

Round 2 evaluations: In this round, startups will undergo an in-depth assessment of their technology, product, and business potential with UST.

City Pitch Series: Shortlisted startups will be invited on-site (Bengaluru or Trivandrum) to present their solutions to UST business leaders, opening the door to potential engagement opportunities.

D3 Startup Expo: Startups selected as finalists from City Pitch Series will be invited to showcase their innovations to UST leadership and global teams. Startups reviewed and selected at D3 Startup Expo will get an opportunity to work with UST.

What are the program timelines?

The D3 Startup Challenge launches in August 2026, when startup evaluation and selection will begin. The City Pitch Series is planned for September and October, leading up to the D3 Startup Expo on October 13. Startup engagements will begin following the Expo. Dates are subject to change.

Is it a full-time and in-person program?

The program will follow a hybrid format, with most activities conducted virtually. However, shortlisted startups are expected to attend City Pitch Series in person in Trivandrum and Bangalore.

How will my data and IP be protected once I apply?

The information submitted through this application will be shared by Link Innovations with UST solely for the purpose of administering this program. UST will process personal data in accordance with its Data Privacy Policy.
Please do not submit any confidential or proprietary information as part of your application. Only include publicly available or non-confidential information. All information and documents submitted during the application process will be treated as non-confidential. For selected startups, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be executed before any confidential information or intellectual property is shared.

Who can apply to the program?

The program is open to mature, enterprise-ready B2B startups that have a proven solution, and who have demonstrated market traction with potential for enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, pilots, or commercial engagements.

What is the support is provided to startups during the course of the program?

  1. Global visibility and connections wth UST clients and business leaders

  2. Joint go-to-market initiatives with UST business teams

  3. Potential paid pilots and proof of concepts (PoCs)

  4. Expert guidance and SME support

  5. Technology testing and validation

  6. Pathways to commercial engagements and investments

How can I apply to the program?

You can apply to the program via 'Apply Now' button or you can click here to access the application.

What is the selection process and parameters ?

Round 1 evaluations: Applications will be screened based on fitment to UST's problem statements, enterprise readiness, traction, technology maturity and team.

Round 2 evaluations: In this round, startups will undergo an in-depth assessment of their technology, product, and business potential with UST.

City Pitch Series: Shortlisted startups will be invited on-site (Bengaluru or Trivandrum) to present their solutions to UST business leaders, opening the door to potential engagement opportunities.

D3 Startup Expo: Startups selected as finalists from City Pitch Series will be invited to showcase their innovations to UST leadership and global teams. Startups reviewed and selected at D3 Startup Expo will get an opportunity to work with UST.

Still have questions?

Reach out to us at contact@link-innovations.com

D3 Startup Challenge 

D3 Startup Challenge 

D3 Startup Challenge