Applications open · Ages 13–18 · India
A national entrepreneurship competition for India's youngest founders.
Four rounds, one published scoring rubric, and a guaranteed ₹25,000 cash prize pool. No prototype, pitch deck or revenue required to enter.
- Prize pool
- ₹25,000
- Entry fee
- ₹999
- Format
- 100% online
Applications close
—
DAYS
—
HRS
—
MIN
—
SEC
30 September 2026 · 11:59 PM IST
Solo entries or teams of up to four participants.
Open to residents of India aged 13–18 at the deadline.
Guaranteed prizes, independent of the number of entries.
₹25,000 in guaranteed cash.
The prize pool is fixed in advance and does not depend on how many entries are received. Finalists also receive digital recognition certificates.
1st Place
Winner recognition certificate.
2nd Place
Winner recognition certificate.
3rd Place
Winner recognition certificate.
From written idea to a live pitch, in four rounds.
Each round asks for a little more, and every stage is scored against the same published criteria.
Read the full formatThe Idea
Submit your idea through a simple online application. No pitch deck, video, prototype or revenue required. Entries are evaluated using the published judging criteria, and the highest-scoring 75% of eligible entries progress to Round 2. The lowest-scoring 25% do not advance.
Business Pitch
Qualifiers develop their idea into a maximum 6-slide pitch deck. Further instructions are sent directly to those who advance.
Semi-Final
Approximately the top 20 entries progress and submit a short video pitch.
Grand Final
Approximately 8–10 finalists pitch live online and answer questions from the organiser before the winners are decided.
One published, weighted rubric.
Every entry is scored on merit against the same five criteria. The entry fee has no influence on scoring.
For ideas that have not launched yet, Execution / Traction looks at research, validation, planning and initiative — never revenue.
How entries are evaluatedFounded and run by a young founder.
Aaryaveer Jatia is a 14-year-old entrepreneur, competitive tennis player and founder of AJ Sports Academy and MatchUp. After building his own ventures while still at school, he created Young Founders Challenge India so other young people could turn early ideas into serious business pitches.
Aaryaveer organises the competition and evaluates every entry personally against the published rubric. This competition is independently organised and is not affiliated with any school, university, government body or other organisation unless expressly stated.
“A good idea shouldn't need funding, contacts or a polished deck to be taken seriously.”
Founder & Competition Director
Frequently asked.
Ask something elseDo I need an existing business?
No. Both new ideas and existing ventures are welcome.
Do I need a prototype?
No.
Do I need a pitch deck for Round 1?
No. Round 1 only requires the online idea application.
Can I enter alone?
Yes.
Can teams enter?
Yes, teams of up to four participants.
Is the competition online?
Yes. Every round runs online.
What happens after Round 1?
The highest-scoring 75% of eligible entries progress to Round 2.
Is the ₹25,000 prize pool guaranteed?
Yes. The advertised cash prize pool is guaranteed and is not dependent on the number of entries.
Does paying ₹999 guarantee progression?
No. The entry fee covers participation and administration and has no influence on judging.
Can an existing startup enter?
Yes.
Can I enter more than one idea?
Yes, but each idea must be submitted as a separate application with a separate entry fee.
Ready to put your idea forward?
The application takes about fifteen minutes. Entry fee ₹999, applications close 30 September 2026 · 11:59 PM IST.
Order summary
Your entry is confirmed only once payment is verified.