IIT Kanpur begins registration for UpStart’22 and here’s all you need to know!

An event that caters to the budding startups of our country, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur is inviting registrations for the annual UpStart’22 national business model competition. Organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell at IIT Kanpur, the national level pitching competition will host startups which will go through multiple rounds of screening, brainstorming sessions at different levels, and face to face mentoring.

Selected startups of this UpStart competition, will have the golden opportunity to become a part of 4 weeks-long one to one mentoring and brainstorming sessions with a mentor. Startups will further get to discuss their ideas and business plans to build a proper legal, operational and structural framework. Also, one-on-one interaction with experienced entrepreneur-cum-mentors from the country aims to provide network enhancing opportunities for the startups.

Following the mentoring sessions, the shortlisted startups will be invited to E-Summit’22 at IIT Kanpur for the finale, starting with One-Minute Elevator Pitches. Shortlisted startups from this session will move to the Final Pitching round, where they will be given a chance to modify their pitch based on the inputs received. Further then, they will participate in a 10-minute pitch, followed by Q&As, to present their improved business plans before the UpStart panel of judges. Quite intense right?!

The winners of the competition will be awarded numerous incentives including, on-the-spot funding, cash prizes, incubation at Innovation & Incubation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals and networking opportunities at ESummit’22.

Eligibility : Startups which are incorporated (if not registered) on or after January 1, 2019, and are not VC-funded, are eligible to register for UpStart’22. 

The UpStart Nationals are scheduled in three cities – on December 4, 2022 in Bangalore and Hyderabad, and on December 10, 2022 in Delhi. And most important - the last date to register for the competition is November 30, 2022!