Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India | 5thSeptember 2025: UPES, through its School of Business in collaboration with Runway Incubator, has announced the launch of the Future Founders Challenge 2025 — a prestigious national-level entrepreneurship competition designed exclusively for students of Classes 9 to 12. The initiative aims to nurture innovation, creativity, and problem-solving skills, giving young minds a chance to experience the real start-up journey and showcase their entrepreneurial ideas on a national platform.
A Platform for Young Innovators
The Future Founders Challenge provides students with an opportunity to:
- Work closely with mentors and industry experts
- Participate in engaging workshops
- Gain hands-on exposure to the start-up ecosystem
- Refine their entrepreneurial and leadership skills
Aligned with UPES’s vision as the “University of Tomorrow” and its role as a “Start-up University”, the initiative complements national priorities including Startup India, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the Atal Innovation Mission.
Competition Structure & Timeline
Open to students of Classes 9 to 12, the challenge requires teams of two to three members from the same school. Each team must present a unique business idea under a chosen team name. Schools can nominate multiple teams.
Key Dates:
- Applications Opened: 14 August 2025
- Deadline for Nominations: 28 September 2025
- Shortlist Announcement: 1 October 2025
- Workshops: 6, 11, and 15 October 2025
- Final Pitch Submission: 27 October 2025
- Finalists Announced: 31 October 2025
- Grand Finale: Date to be announced at UPES Campus, Dehradun
Awards & Prizes
The competition offers substantial rewards and recognition:
- National Champion Team: ₹1,00,000
- Second Place: ₹50,000
- Zonal Winners (North, South, East, West): ₹50,000 each
- Zonal Runners-up: ₹25,000 each
Beyond cash prizes, students gain exposure, mentorship, and incubation opportunities through the UPES Runway Incubator.
Leadership Perspective
Prof. Rahul Nainwal, CEO, Runway Incubator & Senior Director, School of Business, UPES, said:
“Entrepreneurship is not just about starting companies; it’s about cultivating a mindset that embraces innovation, resilience, and problem-solving. Through the Future Founders Challenge, we aim to equip school students with the tools, mentorship, and confidence to shape a better future.”
Runway Incubator’s Impact
Runway Incubator has already supported startups in raising ₹20+ crore in funding while securing major national and state-level grants:
- ₹5 crore from DST (iTBI setup)
- ₹5 crore from NITI Aayog (Atal Community Innovation Centre)
- ₹4.02 crore from BIRAC
- ₹2 crore from Uttarakhand Government
- ₹2.5 crore from MeitY
- CSR support from HDFC Bank
This makes Runway a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
About UPES
Recognized in the QS 2025 Rankings as India’s leading private university for academic reputation, UPES continues to champion entrepreneurship, research, and innovation. Initiatives like the Future Founders Challenge 2025 reaffirm its commitment to nurturing tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.
📌 For detailed guidelines and participation details: www.upes.ac.in/future-founders-challenge
📩 For queries: futurefounders@ddn.upes.ac.in
🌐 For more about UPES: www.upes.ac.in
