by PhysicsWallah (PW) — School of Startups

aistartupsedtechpitch-competitionaiphysicswallahpw

pitch_competition

20 Aug — 21 Aug

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Prize Pool

₹10 Cr

Registration Deadline

About

The PW AI Startup Challenge 2026 is a two-day pitch competition hosted by PhysicsWallah (PW) at its Noida headquarters on 20–21 August 2026. Selected applicants pitch their AI startup or breakthrough

idea directly to the PW team and investors in the room, with a shot at raising from a ₹10 crore fund pool earmarked for the cohort. The challenge is run in partnership with School of Startups. Who Should Apply There are two application tracks: - Founders track — Seed to pre-Series startups building in AI who are looking to raise capital. Open to Indian founders. - Student track — Current college or university students with a breakthrough AI idea, working solo or in a team. If you are a bold builder — a startup founder seeking AI funding, or a college student with a breakthrough idea — select the relevant challenge track in the application form and complete the corresponding sections. Format & Timeline Applications run online via the Google Form linked above and close on 28 June 2026. The form takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Shortlisted founders and student teams are flown in to PW's Noida HQ for the in-person challenge on 20–21 August 2026, which combines pitching, mentorship sessions, investor networking, and a final selection round. What's On Offer - A ₹10 crore fund pool for selected startups to raise from PhysicsWallah - Mentorship from the PW team and partner investors - Direct access to investors in the room - An in-person two-day programme at PW HQ, Noida How to Apply Apply through the official Google Form before 28 June 2026. Questions can be sent to namaste@schoolofstartups.live.

Eligibility

Two tracks: (1) Seed to pre-Series AI startups looking to raise from PhysicsWallah; (2) College or university students with a breakthrough AI idea. India-focused.

pitch_competition

PW AI Startup Challenge 2026

Name: PW AI Startup Challenge 2026
Start: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Thursday, 20 August 2026 — 21 August 2026

by PhysicsWallah (PW) — School of Startups

aistartupsedtechpitch-competitionaiphysicswallahpw

pitch_competition

20 Aug — 21 Aug

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Prize Pool

₹10 Cr

Registration Deadline

About

Eligibility

Two tracks: (1) Seed to pre-Series AI startups looking to raise from PhysicsWallah; (2) College or university students with a breakthrough AI idea. India-focused.

pitch_competition

20 Aug — 21 Aug

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Prize Pool

₹10 Cr

Registration Deadline

Emergent — build full-stack apps with AI

Notion — workspace, docs and AI for startups

Cashfree — payments and payouts for Indian businesses

n8n — workflow automation for technical teams

Apollo — B2B sales intelligence and lead database

Semrush — SEO and online marketing toolkit

AI chatbot — automated customer support for startups

Make — visual automation and workflow builder

Razorpay — payments and banking for Indian startups

Unbounce — landing page builder and conversion optimization

Grants Closing Soon

Show all

Centre for Next-Gen Entrepreneurship in Science & Technology Foundation (CNEST), KLE Tech

₹10L

CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka

Up to ₹10 lakh equity-free seed support per startup · Karnataka TBI 2.0 programme at KLE Tech Belagavi (₹10 cr govt backing per TBI) · Dedicated 5,100 sq. ft. incubation facility at Dr M S Sheshgiri Campus · Tri-state mandate — open to founders from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH)

₹3L – ₹5L

AP Build Grant — Build with AI: RTIH Startup Sprint

₹3–5 lakh grant support · 4-week intensive AI prototype sprint · Hybrid format — virtual + RTIH hubs/spokes across AP · Backed by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (RTIH)

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

IIMK LIVE

₹10L – ₹30L

USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE

Up to ₹30 lakh seed grant · Equity-free / non-dilutive · For early-stage maritime startups across India · Virtual incubation + mentorship from IIMK LIVE

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

TiE Pune

Up to ₹45L

TiE Women – Pune Chapter

Women founders in Maharashtra at any stage seeking mentorship and acceleration.

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

SAMRIDH Impact Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Up to ₹1Cr

SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator Program 2026

Social impact startups in health, climate or education with TRL 4+ technology at product or revenue stage.

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

ISB I-Venture

Varies

ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5)

Fully virtual, 4-month accelerator for women-led startups · 1:1 mentorship + expert-led sessions + closed peer cohort + Demo Day · Sector-agnostic — SaaS, HealthTech, AgriTech, consumer, enterprise and more · Investor connect at Demo Day; structured gap analysis at intake

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

R-ABI (RKVY-RAFTAAR)

Up to ₹5L

ANKURAN - R-ABI Agri-Entrepreneurship Orientation Program

Agri entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh at the idea stage with TRL 2+ technology.

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

R-ABI (RKVY-RAFTAAR)

Up to ₹25L

PRASFUTAN - R-ABI Seed Stage Funding for Agriculture Startups

DPIIT-recognised agritech startups in Uttar Pradesh under 5 years old with TRL 5+ technology.

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

R-ABI (RKVY-RAFTAAR)

Up to ₹4L

SRIJAN - R-ABI Student Entrepreneurship Programme

Students and individuals at the idea stage building agri innovations in Uttar Pradesh.

Eligibility

Competition

Closes

Greenovator Incubation Foundation (GIF), NIT Srinagar

Up to ₹10L

Greenovator i-TBI Ignition Grant Cohort 3.0 — NIT Srinagar

Prototype grant up to ₹10 lakh · Equity-free / non-dilutive (DST NIDHI iTBI Scheme) · Idea-to-prototype stage support · Co-working space + lab facilities at NIT Srinagar

Eligibility

Competition

Closes