RASTA — National Level Startup and Innovation Challenge (WIF)
By Wainganga College of Engineering and Management
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Quick Answer
Wainganga Incubation Foundation's national startup & innovation challenge — ₹3.5L cash prize pool plus 2-year incubation for top 10 startups, finale at Nagpur.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹3.5L
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 18 May 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Wainganga College of Engineering and Management. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
RASTA — National Level Startup and Innovation Challenge is a national pitch and innovation contest organised by Wainganga Incubation Foundation (WIF) at the Wainganga College of Engineering and Management (WCEM), Nagpur. The challenge is being held to mark the birthday of Hon'ble Nitin Gadkari Ji and is open to innovators and startups from across India.
Who Should Apply Open to innovators, solo founders, and startups from anywhere in India. Teams of up to 4 members can apply, and single-founder / single-innovator entries are also permitted. There is no registration fee.
Format & Timeline
- Application Open: 4 May 2026
- Application Closing: 18 May 2026
- Announcement of Shortlisted Applicants (via email): 22 May 2026
- Finale: TBD — to be held in Nagpur
- Award Ceremony: TBD
Applications are submitted online via the official Google Form. Shortlisted teams are notified by email and invited to the finale at WCEM, Nagpur. Travel and stay for the finale are to be borne by participants.
Prizes Total cash prize pool of ₹3,50,000:
- 1st Prize — ₹1,50,000
- 2nd Prize — ₹1,00,000
- 3rd Prize — ₹50,000
- Best Defence Innovation — ₹25,000
- Best Deep-Tech Innovation — ₹25,000
Incubation Opportunity The 5 prize winners and the top 10 startups overall will get an opportunity to be incubated at Wainganga Incubation Foundation (WIF) for two years — covering mentorship, infrastructure, and ecosystem support at WCEM Nagpur.
Eligibility Open to Indian innovators and startups. Up to 4 members per team. Single founder / individual entries are accepted.
How to Apply Apply via the official Google Form linked above before 18 May 2026. No registration fee.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Wainganga Incubation Foundation (WIF) is the startup incubation arm of Wainganga College of Engineering and Management (WCEM), a NAAC 'A' accredited engineering college near Gumgaon railway station on Wardha Road, outside Nagpur, Maharashtra. WIF runs on its own site and out of…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹3.5L
What You Get
- Cash prize pool of ₹3,50,000 (1st: ₹1,50,000, 2nd: ₹1,00,000, 3rd: ₹50,000, Best Defence: ₹25,000, Best Deep-Tech: ₹25,000).
- 2-year incubation at Wainganga Incubation Foundation (WIF) for the top 10 startups.
- Incubation includes mentorship, infrastructure, and ecosystem support.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Application Process
- 1
Application
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
