Mumbai, August 2026: Returning for its 29th edition, Eureka! 2026, IIT Bombay’s flagship business model competition hosted by the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell), promises to be the biggest opportunity for startup founders across India and beyond.
The competition will provide founders and leaders with months of networking, one-on-one mentoring, investment opportunities, incubation, and essential insights into building scalable businesses.
📅 Last date for registration: 23rd August 2026
👉 Register here: Asia’s largest Startup Launchpad
Scale of the Competition
- 43,000+ entries in the previous edition.
- Three rigorous rounds spread over five months.
- Incentives worth over INR 2 crore for winning startups.
- Global pitch opportunities in the USA and Dubai.
- Direct interview with Y Combinator GP for top startups.
Support & Partnerships
Eureka! is supported by UNESCO, Make in India, Startup India, and Digital India, underscoring its role in promoting entrepreneurship.
Incubation opportunities from leading incubators:
- SINE IIT Bombay
- NSRCEL IIM Bangalore
- Razorpay Rize
- And many more.
Investment opportunities from 50+ venture capitalists, with past editions featuring firms such as 100X, 3one4 Capital, IIMA Ventures, and Ankur Capital.
Competition Structure
- Round 1: On-stage mentoring to build robust business models, starting with the business model canvas.
- Round 2 (VC Round): Workshops to refine models and products; judged on viability and unique value propositions.
- Final Round: Pitch at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2026 before a panel of industry experts, VCs, and past leaders from Venture Catalysts.
Mentorship & Industry Leaders
Past mentors include:
- Kanchi Daiya, Indian Angel Network
- Piyush Surana, Tomorrow Capital
This year promises 300+ mentors and 50+ VCs guiding founders through sector-specific challenges.
Global Reach
Beyond India, Eureka! 2026 expands internationally, offering sponsored pitch opportunities in the USA and Dubai, connecting startups with global investors and ecosystems.
About E-Cell IIT Bombay
The Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) of IIT Bombay is Asia’s largest student-run entrepreneurship organisation, serving as a vital link in the startup ecosystem for nearly three decades.
🌐 Instagram: @iitbombay_ecell
🌐 LinkedIn: E-Cell IIT Bombay
