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Returning for its 29th edition, the competition will provide founders and leaders with months of networking, one-on-one mentoring, investment opportunities, incubation, and essential insights into building scalable businesses.
Last date for registration: 23rd August, 2026
Visit here to register for Asia’s largest Startup Launchpad! https://www.ecell.in/eureka/
Last year saw over 43,000 entries, with passionate entrepreneurs and startups undergoing three rigorous rounds spread over five months. The winning startups stand to win incentives worth over INR 2 crore.
), Asia’s largest student-run entrepreneurship organisation, has garnered support from UNESCO, Make in India, Startup India, and Digital India for its role in promoting entrepreneurship. For close to three decades, E-Cell has served as a vital link connecting different elements of the startup ecosystem.
E-Cell is ready to host its flagship business model competition, Eureka!, back for its 29th year. The competition aims to provide founders with months of learning, networking, sector-specific mentoring, and investment opportunities to master the key components of building a scalable business.
The event is tailored for early-stage entrepreneurs, particularly those in the ideation and MVP stage, offering one-on-one mentoring focused on developing go-to-market strategies.
Eureka! 2026 promises to be grander than ever, with incentives worth over INR 2 crore, 50+ venture capitalists, 300+ mentors, and sponsored pitch opportunities in the USA and Dubai.
Top startups will also get a direct interview with the GP of Y Combinator for their next cohort.
Get incubation opportunities from top incubators including SINE IIT Bombay, NSRCEL IIM Bangalore, Razorpay Rize, and many more.
Investment opportunities from 50+ VCs, with past editions having featured firms such as 100X, 3one4 Capital, IIMA Ventures, and Ankur Capital, among others.
What’s In It For Startups?
With over 43,000 entries last year, entrepreneurs will go through three intensive rounds spread over five months. The first round will feature on-stage mentoring to help founders build a robust business model, starting with the basics of creating a business model canvas.
In previous editions, mentors have included industry leaders such as Kanchi Daiya from Indian Angel Network and Piyush Surana from Tomorrow Capital, among others.
The shortlisted startups will then enter a VC round with workshops designed to refine their business models and products. Founders will be judged on the viability of their ideas and their unique value propositions.
Once the finalists are selected, they will prepare for the final stage of the competition. The final pitch will take place at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2026, an annual business conclave. Finalists will pitch their ventures before a panel of industry experts, including a jury drawn from top VCs and past leaders from Venture Catalysts, among others.
Winners will receive incentives worth over INR 2 crore, including support from partners like NVIDIA, Razorpay Rize, CleverTap, and AngelList India.
Beyond India, Eureka! 2026 expands globally, offering select startups fully sponsored pitch opportunities in the USA and Dubai to connect with international investors and ecosystems.
Presented by IIT Bombay’s E-Cell and supported by Startup India, MeitY Startup Hub, and startup missions across the country, Eureka! continues to champion innovation.
Follow their social media pages for more updates:
https://www.instagram.com/iitbombay_ecell/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecell_iitb/
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