Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool
A two-round space-science ideathon from MANIT, Bhopal: design a future civilisation around a rotating Kerr black hole and compete for a ₹10,000 prize pool. Round 1 proposals are due 17 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹10,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (17 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Ideathon 3.0 is a two-round idea competition run by Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, built around one deliberately extreme brief: imagine how humanity would live and operate around a rotating Kerr black hole.
This is a science-and-engineering design challenge rather than a business pitch. Teams are asked to propose scientifically grounded answers to the problems such a setting creates — interstellar travel, the infrastructure a settlement would need, how its systems would be stabilised, and how enormous amounts of energy could be drawn out using the Penrose Process.
The contest moves through an online proposal round and then an in-person presentation round at the Bhopal campus, with a ₹10,000 prize pool shared between the top three teams. Entries are open to students, working professionals and space enthusiasts, and teams may be assembled across different colleges and specialisations.
Highlights
- Two-stage space-science ideathon organised by MANIT, Bhopal.
- ₹10,000 prize pool: ₹5,000 winner, ₹3,000 first runner up, ₹2,000 second runner up — plus goodies.
- Round 1 proposal due 17 August 2026 via Unstop (PDF, max 30 pages, solution overview up to 2000 words).
- Shortlist announced 18 August 2026; final offline presentation at MANIT, Bhopal on 22 August 2026.
- Teams of 1–4 members; inter-college and inter-specialisation teams allowed, with one Team Leader.
- Open to students, professionals and space enthusiasts, with no DPIIT or MSME requirement.
Who can apply
Ideathon 3.0 is deliberately broad on who may enter. It is open to students, working professionals and space enthusiasts, with no restriction to a single institution, discipline or industry.
- Team size: 1 to 4 members, so a solo entry is allowed.
- Mixed teams permitted: inter-college and inter-specialisation teams are welcome, meaning teammates do not have to come from the same institute or field of study.
- Team Leader: one member of every team must be named as the Team Leader and act as the point of contact.
- No registration formalities: there is no DPIIT recognition or MSME/Udyam requirement, and no company or entity type is prescribed — this is an open competition rather than a government funding scheme.
Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool 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 Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool closed on 17 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a prize competition, not a grant or an investment programme. Nothing is repaid and no stake is taken in any team.
- Winner: ₹5,000 cash prize plus goodies.
- First Runner Up: ₹3,000 cash prize plus goodies.
- Second Runner Up: ₹2,000 cash prize plus goodies.
Those three awards add up to the ₹10,000 prize pool. Beyond the cash, the organisers describe only "exciting goodies" — no further detail on those extras has been published. Teams finishing outside the top three are not offered a cash award.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Selection is spread across two stages.
Round 1 — online proposal. Teams register through Unstop and upload a technical proposal as a PDF. The document may run to a maximum of 30 pages, and the solution overview inside it must stay within 2000 words. The submission window closes on 17 August 2026.
Shortlisting. Submitted proposals are assessed and the shortlisted teams are announced on 18 August 2026.
Round 2 — offline presentation. Shortlisted teams present their solutions in person at MANIT, Bhopal on 22 August 2026, and the prizes are decided from this round.
The detailed formatting rules and the evaluation criteria are laid out in the official Rulebook and Problem Statement, which applicants should read before preparing a submission.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool, 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
Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ideathon 3.0 about?
It is a two-stage ideathon run by Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. Participants are asked to envision humanity's future around a rotating Kerr black hole and to design scientifically grounded solutions covering interstellar travel, infrastructure development, system stabilisation and large-scale energy extraction through the Penrose Process.
How much can a team win at Ideathon 3.0?
The total prize pool is ₹10,000, divided across three places. The winner takes ₹5,000 in cash, the first runner up receives ₹3,000, and the second runner up gets ₹2,000. Each of the three also receives goodies from the organisers. Teams that do not finish in the top three are not offered a cash prize.
What is the deadline for submitting an entry?
Round 1 proposals must be submitted through Unstop by 17 August 2026. The shortlisted teams are then announced on 18 August 2026, and the final round takes place on 22 August 2026.
Who is eligible to participate?
The competition is open to students, working professionals and space enthusiasts. Teams can have anywhere between 1 and 4 members, and inter-college as well as inter-specialisation teams are allowed. Every team has to designate one member as the Team Leader.
Can I enter Ideathon 3.0 on my own, without a team?
Yes. Team sizes range from 1 to 4 members, so a solo participant is permitted. If you do enter alone, you would simply be the Team Leader of a one-person team.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Ideathon 3.0 is an open competition rather than a government funding scheme, so there is no DPIIT recognition requirement, no MSME/Udyam registration condition and no restriction on the type of entity or institution a participant belongs to.
Does the organiser take equity or expect the prize money to be repaid?
No. This is a competition with cash prizes, so the money is not a loan and does not need to be returned. The organisers also do not take any equity or stake in participating teams.
What exactly goes into the Round 1 submission?
You upload a technical proposal in PDF format through Unstop. The proposal can be a maximum of 30 pages, and the solution overview within it must not exceed 2000 words. The official Rulebook and Problem Statement set out the formatting guidelines and the criteria used to evaluate entries.
Is there an in-person round, and where is it held?
Yes. Teams that clear the online round present their solutions in person at MANIT, Bhopal on 22 August 2026. The winners are decided from that presentation round.
How and where do I apply?
Registration and proposal submission both happen on Unstop at https://unstop.com/competitions/ideathon--1709177. Make sure the submission is completed before 17 August 2026 and that you have reviewed the official Rulebook and Problem Statement first.
How do I apply for Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool
Not sure Ideathon 3.0 at MANIT Bhopal — ₹10,000 Prize Pool is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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