17 Startup Competitions in India Open for Applications — July 2026

About

A series of startup competitions offering substantial cash prizes and mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups across various sectors in India, with specific competitions targeting deep-tech, social enterprises, and underserved communities. Participants can gain valuable exposure to investors and industry experts while competing for significant funding to support their ventures.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  Winners receive various cash prizes ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹10 Cr depending on the competition
• 🎓Mentorship Program
  Participants gain access to mentorship from industry experts and venture networks
• 🏢Networking Opportunities
  Winners and participants can connect with investors, corporate partners, and other startups
• 📈Exposure to Investors
  Competitions like SLINGSHOT 2026 provide opportunities to present to a jury of venture capitalists and funders
• 🌐International Opportunities
  Top startups in SLINGSHOT 2026 receive a sponsored trip to Singapore for further exposure
• 🎤Workshops and Training
  Competitions like Pitch Fest 2026 offer pitching workshops to enhance presentation skills.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to startups from India
• Must be a legally registered company or team
• Specific competitions may have additional criteria such as being a deep-tech startup or targeting underserved communities
• Some competitions are limited to students in technical degree programs or high school students
• Certain competitions focus on specific sectors like social enterprise or industrial robotics

Participation Commitments

• Must submit applications by the specified deadlines for each competition
• Participants may need to attend in-person events or workshops as part of the competition
• Some competitions require teams to be formed and projects to be built within a set timeframe
• Winners may need to present their ideas or projects to a panel of judges.

Target Region

India

Target Sector

Startup and Entrepreneurship