Capital Catalyst
By E-Cell SBMPCE
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Quick Answer
A multi-round pitch competition and live startup simulation by E-Cell SBMPCE for students interested in entrepreneurship, featuring a ₹8000+ prize pool.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹8,000
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- E-Cell SBMPCE
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 18 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by E-Cell SBMPCE. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
Capital Catalyst, organized by E-Cell SBMPCE, is a dynamic multi-round competition designed to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and strategic thinking among students. Participants will navigate through ideation, business planning, and a live startup simulation, culminating in an investor pitch.
Who Should Apply This competition is open to all students passionate about entrepreneurship and business strategy. Teams must consist of 2 to 3 members. Each participant can be part of only one team.
Format & Timeline The competition unfolds in three distinct rounds:
Round 1: Idea Ignition (Screening Round) Teams are required to submit a pitch deck (max 8 slides) and a mandatory 2-3 minute pitch video. Submissions must cover problem definition, proposed solution, market analysis, business and revenue model, customer acquisition strategy, and risks. Judging criteria include problem clarity, solution strength, feasibility, market understanding, revenue logic, and presentation quality. Only the top 25 teams will advance.
Round 2: The Finale: Capital Catalyst Showdown This round is a 6-8 hour live startup simulation where teams operate like real founders. Each team receives virtual capital (Startup Points) to build, manage, and grow their startup amidst real-time market challenges. Core decisions will involve product development, marketing, hiring, and operations. Evaluation focuses on revenue generated, strategic decision-making, resource allocation efficiency, and adaptability.
Final Pitch (Investor Round) Finalists will present their refined ideas to a judging panel, followed by a dedicated Q&A session.
Prizes Capital Catalyst offers a total cash prize pool of ₹8000+ for the winning teams.
Eligibility Open to all students interested in entrepreneurship and strategy. Teams must comprise 2–3 members. Participants are required to bring their laptops on the day of the event.
How to Apply Registration requires a fee of ₹150 per team. Payment must be completed via a QR code provided in the event brochure (available as an attachment on the Unstop page). After payment, teams must complete a Google Form for verification and upload the payment screenshot on Unstop. Registration is confirmed only after successful payment verification. The registration deadline is April 18, 2026.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Go Premium to view.
Organizers
Organizer
E-Cell SBMPCE
Prizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹8,000
What You Get
Winning teams share a ₹8,000+ total cash prize pool, paid out as competition prize money to the top finishers. Beyond the cash, the value is in the full Capital Catalyst experience: the top 25 teams from Round 1 advance to a live 6–8 hour startup simulation where each team receives virtual capital (Startup Points) to make product, marketing, hiring, and operations decisions under real-time market challenges. Finalists then pitch their refined ideas to a judging panel in the Investor Round, with a dedicated Q&A session — a practical investor-pitch experience plus a pitch deck (max 8 slides) and video that can be reused for other competitions.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.









