The Idea Contest
A programme by Aarambh Incubation Centre
Aarambh's recurring idea competition, open to anyone in Gujarat under thirty-five as well as to the university's own students, alumni, faculty and staff.
At a glance
| Best for | Anyone in Gujarat under thirty-five with an idea, plus the university's own students, alumni, faculty and staff. |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Student Startup and Innovation Policy, Government of Gujarat |
About The Idea Contest
The Idea Contest is Aarambh's main route in and the one most of its published track record comes from. Five editions have run; the fifth had a last date to apply of 30 September 2024 and no sixth edition has been announced, so it is between intakes. The centre says the first four editions drew roughly three hundred and fifty entries and supported sixty-nine ideas.
What you get
- Grant support for the ideas that are selected.
- Mentorship from academic and industry experts, with a mentor assigned to your idea.
- Support for proof of concept and prototyping.
- Help with matters relating to intellectual property.
Who can apply
- Anant National University students across all disciplines, and its alumni, faculty and staff.
- Any individual in Gujarat below thirty-five years of age, including school students.
- You can enter as a team or on your own.
- No registered company is required, and none is mentioned.
How selection works: you register, then a committee appointed by the centre goes through the entries. Shortlisted ideas are invited to present. The presentations that are selected are supported at Aarambh under the mentorship of an expert. Ideas are judged on innovation potential, impact, quality of implementation and efficiency of implementation.
How to apply: the page tells you to use its apply button, but nothing is served behind it, so email is the only working route. Write to aarambh@anu.edu.in to ask when the next edition opens.