Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027
By Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India
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Quick Answer
A national competition inviting young innovators, startup founders, and working professionals to develop impactful solutions and compete for cash prizes up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- Funding amount
- ₹30,000 – ₹1.5 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 17d — 15 Oct 2026
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this competition
The Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC) 2027, an initiative under the broader Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue (VBYLD) 2027, is a flagship program by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. It serves as a crucial platform for young Indian citizens aged 18-35 years, including aspiring startup founders and working professionals, to transform innovative ideas into impactful, real-world solutions. The challenge is designed to foster a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship, guiding participants through a structured journey from ideation to national impact.
YEC 2027 addresses critical social challenges across diverse themes such as healthcare, education, agriculture, environment, women empowerment, governance, accessibility, and disaster management. By inviting participants to develop solutions aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, the program aims to cultivate a generation of young leaders committed to nation-building. Participants benefit from expert mentorship, technical support, and the opportunity to showcase their innovations at a national level, contributing directly to India's vision of a developed nation. The program emphasizes innovative, technically robust, feasible, scalable, and sustainable solutions that can deliver significant social, economic, and environmental impact.
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
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) is the startup incubator at IIT Kanpur. It was established in 2000 and now operates under the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), IIT Kanpur. It works from two sites: the IIT Kanpur campus at…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- ₹30,000 – ₹1.5 Lakhs
What You Get
National Finalist teams receive a comprehensive support package designed to refine their solutions and amplify their impact. This includes dedicated online mentoring by experts from SIIC, IIT Kanpur, followed by an intensive 2-day offline bootcamp at IIT Kanpur. During this bootcamp, teams benefit from pitch refinement sessions, further expert guidance, and unique opportunities to interact with the vibrant innovation ecosystem at IIT Kanpur. Beyond mentorship, teams receive ₹5,000 for poster/prototype development support and up to ₹10,000 in travel support for attending regional jury evaluations, easing the financial burden of participation. The top 5 winning teams at the National Showcase will be awarded substantial cash prizes: ₹1,50,000 for 1st place, ₹1,00,000 for 2nd, ₹75,000 for 3rd, ₹50,000 for 4th, and ₹30,000 for 5th. Additionally, special recognition awards celebrate innovations with outstanding social impact, women-led teams, rural focus, and technological excellence, providing further visibility and encouragement.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Duration
- 4 months
- Cohort size
- 36 startups
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for YEC 2027 is multi-tiered and rigorous, ensuring that only the most innovative and impactful solutions advance. It begins with Regional Screening, where submitted applications are checked for eligibility and completeness against the program's criteria. Following this, shortlisted teams proceed to a Regional Jury Evaluation & Pitch event held at designated Regional Nodal Institutes. Here, teams present their solutions, demonstrate prototypes if applicable, and engage in interactive Q&A sessions with a panel of experts. Based on these regional evaluations, three winning teams are identified from each State/UT.
The next critical phase is the Selection of National Finalists, where SIIC, IIT Kanpur, meticulously reviews the top three teams from each region to select one outstanding team per State/UT, totaling 36 National Finalists. These finalists then enter a comprehensive National Mentorship phase, receiving online guidance, expert feedback, and dedicated pitch refinement support. This culminates in a mandatory 2-day Offline Bootcamp at IIT Kanpur, designed to further polish their solutions, enhance their presentation skills, and provide valuable exposure to IIT Kanpur's innovation ecosystem. The final stage is the National Showcase at VBYLD 2027 in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where finalists exhibit their solutions and deliver a 3-minute presentation before a National Jury. Evaluation criteria throughout the process include the relevance of the problem addressed, innovation and originality, technical robustness, feasibility, scalability, sustainability, social/economic/environmental impact, and the quality of presentation. Strict plagiarism checks are applied at all stages.
Application Process
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Register & Submit
Register on the MY Bharat Portal, select YEC 2027, and submit your chosen theme, problem statement, and proposed solution. Complete all team member profiles and upload required documents like Startup Certificate or Employer NOC.
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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.
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Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for the Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC) 2027?
A: Indian citizens aged 18–35 years can apply, either individually or as a team of up to three members. This includes Startup Founders (meeting DPIIT Startup India criteria or registered MSMEs) and Working Professionals (employed in government, PSU, private organizations, or NGOs).
Q: What kind of ideas or solutions is the YEC 2027 looking for?
A: YEC 2027 seeks innovative, industry-ready solutions that address real-life social challenges across various themes like Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Environment, Women & Child Empowerment, Governance, Accessibility, and Disaster Management. Ideas aligned with UN SDGs and YEC objectives outside these themes are also accepted.
Q: What is the total funding or prize money available for winners?
A: The top 5 winning teams will receive cash prizes ranging from ₹30,000 (5th Prize) to ₹1,50,000 (1st Prize). Additionally, national finalists receive ₹5,000 for prototype/poster support and up to ₹10,000 in travel support for regional evaluations.
Q: Is there any registration fee for YEC 2027?
A: No, participation in the Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC) 2027 is completely free at all stages.
Q: What kind of support do National Finalists receive?
A: National Finalists benefit from online and offline mentorship by SIIC, IIT Kanpur experts, a 2-day bootcamp at IIT Kanpur, prototype/poster support (₹5,000), travel support (up to ₹10,000), and the opportunity to showcase their solutions at a national event in New Delhi.
Q: What happens to the Intellectual Property (IP) rights of my submission?
A: All Intellectual Property (IP) rights remain with the participants. The organizers are granted a non-exclusive right to use submitted materials (photos, videos, pitch decks, summaries) solely for evaluation, documentation, reporting, and promotional purposes, with due acknowledgment.
