GRAD 3.0 — ₹6L Prize Pool B-School Case Competition
India's premier B-school business case competition by Galderma — ₹6,00,000 prize pool, PPIs, and a chance to shape the future of skincare.
- Funding amount
- ₹6L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closes in 1d (2 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
GRAD 3.0 - Galderma Rising Achievers in Dermatology is the third edition of Galderma's flagship business case competition, designed for India's brightest B-school minds. This competition challenges participants to think beyond products and brands, crafting forward-looking strategies that respond to the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the future of skincare.
Who Should Apply Open to first and second-year full-time MBA students from eligible institutes across India. Participants can compete individually or in teams of up to 3 members. Cross-year and cross-specialisation teams are allowed, but cross-college teams are not permitted. There is no restriction on the number of teams from an institute.
The competition unfolds in five rounds: a non-eliminatory Trivia Quiz, an MCQ assessment, an Executive Summary submission, a Detailed Submission, and a National Finale where top teams present to Galderma leaders. Winners receive cash prizes and Pre-Placement Interview (PPI) opportunities, while all participants get e-certificates.
Highlights
- Total prize pool of ₹6,00,000 across winner and runners-up
- Winner gets ₹3,00,000 cash + Pre-Placement Interview opportunity
- Open to first and second-year full-time MBA students from eligible Indian institutes
- Teams of 1–3 members; cross-year and cross-specialisation allowed, cross-college not
- Five rounds including a trivia quiz, MCQ assessment, executive summary, detailed submission, and national finale
- National finalists' travel and stay covered by Galderma
Who can apply
Who can apply?
- Open to first and second-year full-time MBA students from eligible institutes across India.
- Compete individually or in teams of up to 3 members.
- Cross-year and cross-specialisation teams are allowed, but cross-college teams are not permitted.
- There is no restriction on the number of teams from an institute.
GRAD 3.0 — ₹6L Prize Pool B-School Case Competition 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
Applications for GRAD 3.0 — ₹6L Prize Pool B-School Case Competition are open and the current deadline is Closes in 1d (2 Aug 2026). Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
Prizes
- Winner: ₹3,00,000 cash + Pre-Placement Interview opportunity
- 1st Runner-Up: ₹2,00,000 cash + Pre-Placement Interview opportunity
- 2nd Runner-Up: ₹1,00,000 cash + Pre-Placement Interview opportunity
- National Finalists: Chance to win Pre-Placement Interviews with Galderma
- All Participants: E-certificates
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Participants go through a multi-round selection process:
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Trivia Quiz – A non-eliminatory quiz to discover Galderma's history and brand portfolio. The top 2 teams from each college advance to the Executive Summary Round; the top 5 teams across India skip straight to the Detailed Submission Round.
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Round 1 - MCQ Assessment – All teams answer 20 questions in 30 minutes within an 8-hour window. Only the team leader takes the assessment.
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Round 2 - Executive Summary Submission – Qualifying teams submit a 2-slide presentation (excluding cover and thank you slides) outlining their solution to the problem statement. Submissions must be in PDF and PPT format.
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Round 3 - Detailed Submission – Teams submit an 8-10 slide presentation (excluding cover and annexure slides) with comprehensive strategies and supporting data.
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Round 4 - National Finale – Top teams present their solutions to a panel of Galderma leaders. Venue to be disclosed; travel and stay for finalists are covered by the organisation.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to GRAD 3.0 — ₹6L Prize Pool B-School Case Competition, 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
GRAD 3.0 — ₹6L Prize Pool B-School Case Competition is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹6L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is offered in GRAD 3.0?
The total prize pool is ₹6,00,000. The winner receives ₹3,00,000, the 1st runner-up ₹2,00,000, and the 2nd runner-up ₹1,00,000. Additionally, winners and finalists get Pre-Placement Interview (PPI) opportunities, and all participants receive e-certificates.
What is the application deadline for GRAD 3.0?
The competition deadline is August 2, 2026. Make sure to register and complete all required submissions before this date.
Who is eligible to participate in GRAD 3.0?
The competition is open to first and second-year full-time MBA students from eligible institutes across India. You can participate individually or in teams of up to 3 members. Teams can include members from different years and specialisations, but not from different colleges.
Can I form a team with students from another college?
No, cross-college teams are not allowed. However, cross-year and cross-specialisation teams within the same institute are permitted, and there is no limit on the number of teams from a single institute.
Does the competition require DPIIT or MSME registration?
No, GRAD 3.0 is a business case competition for MBA students, not a startup funding program. Therefore, DPIIT or MSME registration is not required.
Does GRAD 3.0 take equity?
No, GRAD 3.0 is not an equity-based program. The prizes are cash awards, and no equity stake is taken in any venture.
What are the different rounds in the competition?
The competition has five rounds: a Trivia Quiz (non-eliminatory), an MCQ Assessment (20 questions in 30 minutes), an Executive Summary Submission (2 slides), a Detailed Submission (8-10 slides), and a National Finale where top teams present to Galderma leaders.
Are travel and stay expenses covered for finalists?
Yes, for the National Finale, the travel and stay of finalists are covered by the organisation. The venue is to be disclosed later.
What documents or submissions are needed?
You need to submit a 2-slide executive summary (PDF and PPT) and a detailed presentation of 8-10 slides. The team leader must also complete the MCQ assessment. Registration is done via the official Unstop page.
How do I apply for GRAD 3.0?
You can register through the official Unstop page. After registration, the team leader must complete the trivia quiz. All team members must be present during the final presentation.
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