📌About the Event

The IGNOU Startup Competition 2026, also known as the Best Startup Award 2026, is an entrepreneurship competition organised for IGNOU students and alumni. The initiative aims to identify, support and showcase promising startups and innovative business ventures developed by members of the IGNOU community. Participants will first submit details of their ventures online, after which shortlisted applicants will pitch their startups before an expert committee.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Organised by: Institution’s Innovation Council, IGNOU, through the National Centre for Innovations in Distance Education
• Mode of application: Online submission through the official Google Form
• Competition format: Two rounds
• First round: Submitted startup and business-venture details will be screened by an expert committee.
• Second round: Shortlisted participants will present or pitch their startup before the expert committee using a presentation template provided by IGNOU.

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📅 Important Dates

• Official notification date: July 17, 2026
• Announcement published on the IGNOU website: July 20, 2026
• Last date to submit entries: August 31, 2026

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Who can participate:
  • Current students and alumni of IGNOU
  • Participants should have an innovative startup, business venture or a venture that they intend to launch.
  • The detailed application guideline states that applicants should either:
  • Have an established startup or innovative business venture; or
  • Be at an advanced stage of setting up the venture, preferably at Technology Readiness Level 5 to 7.
  • Participants must submit detailed information about their startup or innovative business venture through the prescribed online form.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• First prize: ₹10,000
• Second prize: ₹7,000
• Third prize: ₹5,000
• The top three ventures will receive the Best Startup Award 2026.
• Shortlisted participants who present their startups will receive an e-certificate of participation.
• Participants will receive a platform to showcase their startups and innovative business ventures.
• Selected entrepreneurs may receive incubation opportunities and developmental inputs for taking their ventures forward.
• Participants will also get opportunities to network with other innovators and entrepreneurs.