PW AI Startup Challenge 2026
Under PW AI Startup Challenge by PhysicsWallah - School of Startups
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Quick Answer
Pitch your AI startup to PhysicsWallah for a shot at funding from a ₹10 Cr pool — open to seed–pre-Series founders and college students building in AI.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹10 Cr
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 28 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by PhysicsWallah - School of Startups. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
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
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
PW School of Startups (PW SOS) is the entrepreneurship initiative of PhysicsWallah, the edtech company, run out of PW's own campus in Noida with a second incubation centre in Lucknow. It was announced in December 2024 with a fund to back startups over five years, and in March…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹10 Cr
What You Get
- Selected startups stand to raise investment from a ₹10 crore fund pool.
- Mentorship from the PhysicsWallah team and partner investors.
- Direct access to investors.
- Participation in an in-person two-day program at PW HQ, Noida.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
