Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams
A multi-round strategy case competition hosted by IIM Indore, open to college teams of 3–6 across India. Registrations close 20 July 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (20 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Imperium is an international strategy case competition hosted by IIM Indore. It puts college students in the seat of a business executive and asks them to build strategy for modern corporations — working through mergers and acquisitions, handling corporate rivalries, and spotting bold growth avenues, all in a bid to grow a corporate empire.
Entry is open to college students right across India. Teams can have anywhere between 3 and 6 members, and mixed teams drawn from more than one college are allowed. A single college may also field several teams in the same edition.
The contest runs over several rounds, and the closing round is played offline at the IIM Indore campus. Teams that make the cut are informed by email and have to confirm their place using a registration link shared by the organisers. Registrations close on 20 July 2026 and are handled through the Unstop listing. Prize details have not been disclosed.
Highlights
- International strategy case competition hosted by IIM Indore
- Open to college students across India, with no sector or state restriction mentioned
- Teams of 3 to 6 members; cross-college teams are allowed
- One college can enter multiple teams in the same edition
- Final round is held offline at the IIM Indore campus
- Registration closes 20 July 2026 via the Unstop listing
Who can apply
Imperium is built for students rather than for registered startups or companies.
- Who can enter: college students from anywhere in India.
- Team size: 3 to 6 members per team.
- Cross-college teams: permitted, so your teammates do not have to come from the same institution.
- Multiple teams: a single college may send more than one team.
- The listing sets no sector, industry or state restriction, and entry is not linked to DPIIT recognition or MSME registration.
Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College 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 Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams closed on 20 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Imperium is a competition, not a grant, loan or equity scheme, so there is no fixed sum attached to taking part. Prize details have not been disclosed in the listing.
What participants walk away with is the challenge itself:
- A chance to work through mergers and acquisitions situations facing modern corporations.
- Practice at managing corporate rivalries and competitive pressure.
- The task of identifying growth avenues and arguing for bold strategic moves.
- For teams that progress, a place in the offline final round at the IIM Indore campus.
- Shortlisting news and confirmation instructions delivered by email, with participation locked in through the organisers' registration link.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The listing does not spell out the judging criteria, but the format is clear.
- The competition is played over multiple rounds, so a team has to clear more than one stage to reach the end.
- The final round is conducted offline at the IIM Indore campus.
- Shortlisted teams are notified by email and must confirm their participation through a registration link provided by the organisers.
- Registration closes on 20 July 2026, so every team needs to be signed up before the rounds get under way.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College 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.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Imperium?
Imperium is an international strategy case competition organised by IIM Indore. Participants step into the shoes of business executives and work out strategy for modern corporations, dealing with mergers and acquisitions, corporate rivalries and growth opportunities, all with the aim of building a corporate empire.
Who can take part in Imperium?
The competition is open to college students from anywhere in India. The listing specifies students as the audience and does not add any further restriction on who may enter.
How many members should a team have?
Each team needs between 3 and 6 members. Teams below or above that range would not fit the stated team size.
Can I form a team with students from another college?
Yes. Cross-college participation is allowed, so your teammates do not have to be from the same institution. What's more, a single college is free to send more than one team to the competition.
What is the registration deadline?
Registrations close on 20 July 2026. Teams need to complete their entry before that date.
How do I register for Imperium?
Registration happens through the Unstop listing for Imperium, the strategy case study competition hosted by IIM Indore. If your team is shortlisted later in the competition, you will be informed by email and will need to confirm participation through a registration link sent by the organisers.
Is the competition online or offline?
Imperium runs across multiple rounds, and the final round is conducted offline at the IIM Indore campus. Shortlisted teams receive an email with the confirmation instructions for that stage.
How much prize money does Imperium offer?
Prize details have not been disclosed in the listing, so there is no announced amount or reward structure to quote at this point. Teams should treat the strategy challenge and the campus final round as what the competition currently offers.
Does Imperium take equity or a stake in participants?
No. Imperium is a case study competition rather than an investment or funding programme, so there is no equity, stake or repayment element involved. It is about solving a strategy case, not raising capital.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Imperium is open to college students, and DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is not part of the entry criteria.
Who is eligible to apply for Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams?
Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
How do I apply for Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams
Not sure Imperium — IIM Indore's Strategy Case Competition for College Teams is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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