BENGALURU, May 13, 2026 – CavinKare, in partnership with the Madras Management Association (MMA), has officially invited nominations for the 15th CavinKare–MMA ChinniKrishnan Innovation & Great Ideas Awards 2026. This national platform is dedicated to discovering and nurturing breakthrough entrepreneurial ventures and high-impact ideas across India.
Reviving the ‘Great Ideas’ Category
Marking a milestone 15th year, the organizers have reintroduced the ‘Great Ideas’ category with a significantly expanded scope. In a move to foster innovation at its grassroots, the category now includes student innovators and will recognize 10 outstanding ideas—a major scale-up from previous years. This expansion aims to provide a platform for promising concepts to be mentored and scaled into future-ready solutions.
Mr. CK Ranganathan, Chairman and Managing Director of CavinKare Pvt. Ltd., emphasized the vision behind the change:
“As we mark the 15th edition, we are bringing back the ‘Great Ideas’ category to encourage individuals and students at the ideation stage. By expanding the number of winners, we hope to create a larger platform for these ideas to be nurtured and evolved into impactful, scalable solutions.”
Award Categories and Eligibility
The 2026 awards are divided into two distinct tracks:
- Innovation Category: Targeted at startups and MSMEs with market-ready products or services that demonstrate uniqueness and sustainability. Three winners will each receive a ₹1,00,000 cash prize, a trophy, and a citation.
- Great Ideas Category: Open to individuals, researchers, and students. This track focuses on the “problem-solution fit” and future potential of an idea, regardless of its commercial stage. Ten winners will receive ₹10,000 each.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Innovation Category: Small-scale enterprises with an annual turnover not exceeding ₹50 crore for FY 2024–25 or 2025–26.
- Great Ideas Category: No turnover criteria; open to all Indian citizens or ideas originating in India.
A Legacy of Mentorship
Established in 2011, the awards honor the legacy of Late Shri R. ChinniKrishnan, the pioneer of India’s sachet revolution. Beyond financial rewards, winners in the Innovation category gain access to a comprehensive mentoring ecosystem. This includes a year of guidance from CavinKare and MMA experts in fields such as R&D, marketing, intellectual property, and finance. Importantly, the organizers provide these business linkages and support without taking any financial stake in the winning companies.
How to Apply
The selection process involves a multi-stage evaluation by a jury of industry leaders and venture capitalists. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for video presentations and further interaction.
Deadline for Entries: June 22, 2026 Registration Link: www.ckinnovationawards.in Inquiries: Call +91 9444700068
By broadening the scope of the 2026 awards, MMA and CavinKare continue to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial culture, ensuring that today’s creative sparks become tomorrow’s economic drivers.
