Akanksha: A Business Plan — ₹42,500 Prize Competition for MBA Teams
Akanksha is a national business plan competition run by Krishi Chanakya, the annual management festival of MANAGE Hyderabad, and is open to MBA, PGDM and allied management students. Teams of 2–3 from the same institute compete across three rounds for ₹42,500 in cash prizes.
- Funding amount
- ₹42,500 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (10 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Akanksha: A Business Plan is the headline business plan contest of Krishi Chanakya, the yearly management festival of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad.
MANAGE is an autonomous institute functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, and is known for its work in agricultural extension and management education. Krishi Chanakya hosts a set of contests for management students from all over the country, and Akanksha is the platform it offers to students who want to carry a startup idea from a rough concept to a fully argued business plan.
The contest has a national footprint and is structured as three progressive rounds: a one-page abstract, an executive summary deck, and a live final. Teams that survive to the last round travel to the MANAGE campus in Hyderabad and present in person before a judging panel, with mentors and industry experts in the room. For a management student, that exposure and feedback is as valuable as the prize purse.
Entry is restricted to students of MBA, PGDM and allied management programmes, competing in teams of two or three from the same institute. Registration for the edition opens on 25 July 2026 and closes on 10 August 2026, with submissions routed through the official Unstop listing.
Highlights
- National business plan competition organised by Krishi Chanakya, the annual management festival of MANAGE, Hyderabad.
- Cash prizes of ₹25,000 for the winner and ₹17,500 for the runner-up — ₹42,500 in total — plus a certificate of recognition for national finalists.
- Open to MBA, PGDM and allied management students, entering in teams of 2–3 members from the same institute.
- Three rounds: a one-page abstract, an executive summary of up to 4 slides, and a live final at the MANAGE campus in Hyderabad.
- Registration runs from 25 July 2026 to 10 August 2026 through the official Unstop listing.
- Only the team leader can submit, and files must follow the naming format Akanksha_TeamName_CollegeName.
Who can apply
Akanksha is open only to students, not to registered companies or independent founders.
The core requirement is current enrolment in an MBA, PGDM, or allied management programme at any recognised institution in India.
- Entries are made as a team of 2 to 3 members.
- Every member of a team must belong to the same institute.
- A single institution may register any number of teams — there is no cap on registrations per college.
- Each individual student may be part of only one entry.
- No DPIIT recognition, MSME registration, incorporation or prior funding is required, since the contest is aimed at management students rather than registered ventures.
Eligibility here is defined by the participant's programme and institution rather than by industry, sector or state, and the competition is national in scope.
Akanksha: A Business Plan — ₹42,500 Prize Competition for MBA Teams is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for Akanksha: A Business Plan — ₹42,500 Prize Competition for MBA Teams closed on 10 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Akanksha is a prize-based competition, so what participants compete for is cash and recognition rather than an investment cheque.
- Winner: ₹25,000
- Runner-up: ₹17,500
- National finalists: a certificate of recognition
Together the two cash awards come to ₹42,500.
Since the money is awarded as prize money and not against shares, no equity is taken from any participant and nothing has to be repaid. Beyond the cash, teams that make it to the national final get a chance to put their plan in front of judges, mentors and industry experts gathered on the MANAGE campus in Hyderabad.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The contest is run as three elimination rounds, with teams progressing only if they clear the previous stage.
Round 1 — Abstract Submission Teams submit a one-page abstract that sets out the business overview, the problem being addressed, the proposed solution, the competitive advantage, and financial projections. The file must be a PDF, typed in Times New Roman, size 11, with 1.0 line spacing and normal margins.
Round 2 — Executive Summary Submission Shortlisted teams build their idea out into a full executive summary covering the business model, sales and marketing strategy, intellectual property status, competitor analysis, management team, value proposition, customer and market analysis, financials, and funding requirements. The summary may run to a maximum of 4 slides, excluding the Intro and Thank You slides, and may be submitted as either a PPT or a PDF.
Round 3 — Final Round The strongest teams are invited to the MANAGE campus in Hyderabad, where they present their business plan live before a panel of judges.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Akanksha: A Business Plan — ₹42,500 Prize Competition for MBA Teams, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Akanksha: A Business Plan — ₹42,500 Prize Competition for MBA Teams is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹42,500. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is Akanksha: A Business Plan and who runs it?
Akanksha is a national business plan competition held as part of Krishi Chanakya, the annual management festival of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad. MANAGE is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India. Students take a startup idea through three rounds and, if shortlisted, present the final plan in person before judges at the MANAGE campus.
How much prize money does the competition offer?
The winner receives ₹25,000 and the runner-up receives ₹17,500, which adds up to a total prize pool of ₹42,500. Teams that reach the national final also receive a certificate of recognition.
Who is eligible to enter, and what is the team size?
Only students currently enrolled in an MBA, PGDM or allied management programme at a recognised institution in India can take part. Entries are made in teams of 2 to 3 members, and all members must be from the same institute. There is no limit on how many teams one institute may register, but an individual student can be part of only one entry.
Do we need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Akanksha is a competition for management students, not for registered companies, so DPIIT recognition and MSME registration are not part of the eligibility criteria. You simply need to be a student on an eligible management programme and form a team from your own institute.
Does the competition take equity in the idea or require repayment?
No. The rewards are cash prizes and a certificate, so nothing is taken in equity and nothing has to be repaid. There is no dilution involved for participating teams.
What are the application dates and the deadline?
Registration opens on 25 July 2026 and closes on 10 August 2026. Entries must be submitted within that window through the official Unstop platform.
How do we apply, and who is allowed to submit?
Applications are submitted online through the official Unstop listing for the competition. Only the team leader may make the submission on behalf of the team, and the uploaded file must follow the naming format Akanksha_TeamName_CollegeName.
What has to go into the Round 1 abstract?
Round 1 requires a one-page abstract covering the business overview, the problem being addressed, your proposed solution, your competitive advantage, and financial projections. It must be submitted as a PDF, formatted in Times New Roman at size 11 with 1.0 line spacing and normal margins.
What does the Round 2 executive summary need to cover?
Shortlisted teams expand their idea into an executive summary that covers the business model, sales and marketing strategy, intellectual property status, competitor analysis, management team, value proposition, customer and market analysis, financials, and funding requirements. The submission can be up to 4 slides, leaving out the Intro and Thank You slides, and may be in PPT or PDF format.
What happens in the final round?
The top teams from the earlier rounds are invited to the MANAGE campus in Hyderabad, where they present their business plan live before a panel of judges. It is the only in-person stage of the competition.
How do I apply for Akanksha: A Business Plan — ₹42,500 Prize Competition for MBA Teams?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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