Applications are now open for Eureka! 2026, Asia’s largest business model competition organized by the Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Bombay. The competition supports innovators, student entrepreneurs, and early-stage founders in transforming promising ideas into scalable, investment-ready ventures. Participants gain access to structured mentorship, funding opportunities, investor connections, expert feedback, and exposure to India’s wider startup ecosystem. Applications are accepted from founders at the ideation, pre-seed, and seed stages, including teams that have not yet developed a product.
Program Tracks
Applicants can compete through specialized tracks designed for startups operating across different industries and impact areas:
• Business
• AI & DeepTech
• Healthcare
• Energy & Sustainability
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Social Impact
• Cooling Solutions
• Pan-IIT
The Business Track welcomes sector-agnostic ventures, while the specialized tracks support solutions addressing specific technological, commercial, environmental, healthcare, and societal challenges.
Funding & Program Benefits
Selected teams can access a comprehensive package of startup support and competition incentives:
• Equity-Free Funding: More than INR 27 lakh in funding support and prizes is available to top-performing startups.
• Investor Access: Participants may present their ventures to more than 50 venture capital firms.
• Expert Mentorship: Teams can receive guidance from over 300 founders, investors, and industry experts.
• Incubator Connections: Participants gain exposure to a network of more than 45 incubators.
• Pitching Opportunities: Selected startups may pitch before venture capital firms, angel investors, industry leaders, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
• International Exposure: Top-performing teams may receive sponsored opportunities to represent India in the United States and Dubai.
• Business Development Support: Participants receive structured feedback on their products, business models, market strategies, and investor pitches.
Applicant Eligibility
Eureka! 2026 is open to individuals and teams building or planning to build a startup.
Applicants should meet the following conditions:
• Team Size: Teams may consist of one to seven members.
• Sector Eligibility: Startups from all industries and sectors may apply.
• Startup Status: Both unregistered ideas and registered or incorporated startups are eligible.
• Development Stage: Applicants may be at the idea, minimum viable product, early-revenue, or early-growth stage.
• Originality: All submitted ideas and materials must be the original work of the participating team.
• Multiple Teams: An individual may participate in more than one team, provided each team submits a different startup idea.
Competition Process
The competition progresses through multiple evaluation and pitching stages:
• Questionnaire Round: Teams submit details about their problem statement, proposed solution, target market, business model, and venture strategy through an online application.
• Zonal Round: Shortlisted teams are evaluated by mentors, investors, and industry experts during offline rounds held in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
• Venture Capital Round: Selected startups pitch online before a jury composed of venture capital investors.
• Grand Finale: Finalists present their ventures at IIT Bombay before venture capitalists, angel investors, and industry leaders.
Applications are evaluated based on factors such as originality, feasibility, market opportunity, scalability, business-model strength, and the capabilities of the founding team.
Application Details
• Application Deadline: 14 August 2026
• Application Fee: Participation is free
• Application Method: Online through the official Eureka! website
• Final Stage Location: IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
The registration form and questionnaire may be completed or edited until the application deadline.
Eureka! 2026 provides aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups with an opportunity to validate their ideas, refine their business models, connect with investors, and compete for equity-free funding and international exposure. Eligible teams are encouraged to review the applicable track requirements and submit their applications before the deadline.