Eureka! 2026 by IIT Bombay
Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell), IIT Bombay
📌About the Event
Eureka! 2026 is the flagship startup and business model competition organised by E-Cell, IIT Bombay. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders, the programme helps participants validate and scale their ideas through mentorship, investor access, incubation opportunities, fundraising exposure, and startup resources. Applications for the 2026 edition are currently open.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Competition type: Startup / business model competition
- Mode: Multi-stage competition with online applications, screening and mentoring; shortlisted startups progress to pitching and advanced rounds.
- Who can participate: Aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, student founders and early-stage startups.
- Focus: Building, validating and scaling high-potential startup ideas.
- Participants receive access to 300+ mentors, 50+ VCs, incubation networks and startup ecosystem partners.
📅 Important Dates
- Registrations opened: July 10, 2026.
- Application deadline: August 16, 2026.
- Further screening, mentoring and pitching dates: To be announced by E-Cell IIT Bombay.
- Applications are open as of August 7, 2026.
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Eligibilty:
- Open to startup founders, student entrepreneurs, innovators and individuals with an entrepreneurial idea.
- Both early ideas seeking validation and existing early-stage ventures looking to scale can apply.
- Participants must submit their startup/business details through the official Eureka! application portal.
- Startups progress through screening, mentoring and pitching stages.
- Selection focuses on the strength and potential of the startup/business model, including its problem-solution fit, innovation, scalability and growth potential.
- Shortlisted participants receive opportunities to interact with mentors, investors and ecosystem partners.
- Final selection decisions rest with the Eureka! judging and organising teams.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- ₹2 crore+ worth of incentives and startup benefits are being offered in Eureka! 2026.
- Access to 300+ mentors and 50+ venture capital firms.
- Fundraising and investor-pitching opportunities.
- Incubation and ecosystem support for selected startups.
- Sponsored opportunities for selected participants to gain exposure in the USA and Dubai.
- Startup tools, credits and services from incentive partners including NVIDIA, Razorpay Rize, CleverTap, AngelList India and others