13 Startup Competitions in India Open for Applications ₹36.6 Cr+ in Prizes October 2026

October 2026 presents 13 active startup competitions in India, with offerings from government bodies, academic institutions, and private enterprises. These programs collectively provide over ₹36.6 crore in potential prizes and support. Among them, 8 are newly launched, while 10 are closing their application windows within the next two weeks.

Notable opportunities include the STPI IGNITE Open Challenge, IIT Bombay's Ten Minute Million, and the SIDBI Innovation Challenge Fund, alongside the Anandi Fellowship by Bombay Shaving Company. These competitions target a range of sectors and startup stages, offering critical funding and mentorship to innovators across the country.

At a Glance

Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi (Electropreneur Park)

The Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi is an Open Challenge Program designed to empower early-stage tech entrepreneurs and innovators in the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) domain. Participants can solve real-world problems and gain access to strategic networking, seed funding, expert mentoring, and support for training, marketing, and patenting activities. It offers state-of-the-art Centers of Excellence (CoE) labs, specialized tools, and incubation facilities. The application deadline is 6 October 2026.

EarthON Greenovation Bootcamp 2026 (EarthON Foundation)

The EarthON Greenovation Bootcamp 2026 is a 3-day residential program for climate entrepreneurs building sustainable solutions. A joint initiative of EarthON Foundation & Greenovation Hub, in collaboration with AIC ISB, the bootcamp aims to strengthen ventures, explore new possibilities, and build towards scale at the ISB Hyderabad campus. Focused on agroecology, circularity, renewable energy, and industrial decarbonisation, it offers ₹2 lakh in prizes. The program closes on 9 October 2026.

Hefty-Hacks (TechZap)

Hefty-Hacks is an online Finance × Trading hackathon presented by TechZap. This intense sprint allows engineers, quants, and designers to develop trading systems, market predictors, fintech solutions, risk engines, and DeFi projects. Open to teams of 2–6 members, the competition has tracks in Finance, Trading, and a Fusion category. The prize pool is ₹75,000. Applications close on 10 October 2026.

AWS × IDFC × Campus Fund Grand Challenge 2026 (Campus Fund)

The AWS × IDFC × Campus Fund Grand Challenge 2026 is India’s 7th edition of a competition for student startups, hosted by Campus Fund. This program helps student founders get noticed, meet investors, and grow their ventures. Since 2020, it has supported over 70 startups, with 25+ funded and alumni raising over ₹90 million after the challenge. Eligible founders (current students, dropouts, or 2023 onwards graduates holding at least 25% equity) apply free. Top 15 finalists pitch live at the Grand Finale in Mumbai. The deadline is 10 October 2026.

HackX 3.0 (Manipal University Jaipur)

HackX 3.0 is a 36-hour hackathon organized by Manipal University Jaipur, inviting students and innovators to address real-world problems across 10 diverse tracks. This event fosters creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence, offering a prize pool of over ₹5,00,000. Participants can form teams on the spot or come pre-assembled. The event runs until 12 October 2026.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Innovation Challenge 2026 (StartupTN)

StartupTN and Tamil Nadu Tourism present the Tamil Nadu Tourism Innovation Challenge 2026 to foster innovation in the state's tourism sector. This initiative aims to enhance how the world experiences Tamil Nadu by boosting tourism-focused startups with innovative products and services, solving challenges with technology, and attracting new talent. Winners receive varying prizes. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2026.

Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India)

The Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC) 2027 is an initiative under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue (VBYLD) 2027 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It provides a platform for young Indian citizens (18-35 years) to transform ideas into impactful solutions across healthcare, education, agriculture, environment, women empowerment, and governance. The challenge offers prizes ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. The application period closes on 15 October 2026.

Anandi Fellowship by Bombay Shaving Company 2026 (Bombay Shaving Company)

The Anandi Fellowship by Bombay Shaving Company 2026 identifies, skills, and invests in promising young entrepreneurs. Targeting students in grades 11-12 and first-year undergraduates, it prepares fellows for entrepreneurship through rigorous selection and an apprenticeship model. The fellowship provides extensive exposure via 3-4 intensive summer internships (Pit-Stop Internships) at top Indian startups and venture capital firms, mentorship, and practical business experience. Prize money ranges from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 crore. The deadline is 15 October 2026.

SIDBI Innovation Challenge Fund 2026 (Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI))

The SIDBI Innovation Challenge Fund (SICF) 2026 is a digital platform by SIDBI to foster transformative ideas and achieve developmental impact, especially within the MSME sector. SICF crowdsources innovative, outcome-oriented solutions for socio-economic challenges. It empowers innovators, enterprises, and changemakers by bridging funding gaps, enabling scalable solutions. The prize money is ₹20 crore. Applications close on 16 October 2026.

RISE IISER IDEAPOOL Contest 2026 (RISE Foundation IISER)

IDEAPOOL 2026, part of the Innovation Conclave 2026, is a platform by RISE Foundation IISER for individuals and early-stage startups developing sustainable solutions. Participants present ideas to innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. It fosters an ecosystem for groundbreaking sustainability-focused solutions, providing prize money of ₹2.5 lakh and incubation support. The contest serves as a bridge between nascent ideas and market-ready products. The deadline for submission is 17 October 2026.

Ten Minute Million Challenge 2026 (E-Cell IIT Bombay)

The Ten Minute Million Challenge (TTMM) 2026, hosted by E-Cell IIT Bombay, is a pitch competition connecting startups with investors. This offline event offers founders 10 minutes to present their solutions and scalable businesses to a panel of investors, with potential for substantial on-the-spot funding totaling ₹3.5 crore. It aims to foster the next generation of startups by bridging the gap between innovative ideas and essential capital. Applications close on 18 October 2026.

Hyundai CoE Mobility Innovation Ideathon 2026 (Hyundai Motor India Engineering)

The Hyundai CoE Mobility Innovation Ideathon 2026, run by Hyundai Motor India Engineering, focuses on