International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool
A multi-round innovation contest hosted by Manipal University Jaipur, open to student teams worldwide, with a prize pool worth ₹7 Lakh and a final round on campus in Jaipur.
- Funding amount
- ₹7L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Manipal University Jaipur (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (11 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The International Innovation Challenge 3.0 is a multi-round innovation competition hosted by Manipal University Jaipur for students — in India and overseas alike — across every stream of study. Entrants work in teams of one to four people and build an original project around one of ten themes set out in the official guidelines.
The contest runs in two phases. A first, presentation-based stage screens entries, after which the strongest teams are invited to the closing round held on the Jaipur campus of Manipal University Jaipur. Teams based abroad that cannot travel have the option of joining that final round online.
The overall prize pool comes to ₹7 Lakh. Three top teams take home cash awards of ₹1,00,000, ₹75,000 and ₹50,000, while further rewards valued at ₹4,75,000 — an incubation opportunity, a paid internship, courses, goodies and hampers, and recommendation certificates — are part of the package.
Key dates
- Registration closes: 11 August 2026
- Deck submission closes: 11 August 2026 (a maximum of nine slides, built on the template supplied)
- Shortlist declared: 13 August 2026
- Closing round: 25 August 2026
Entry is charged per team, and the amount depends on the institution and nationality of the members.
Highlights
- Hosted by Manipal University Jaipur, with a total prize pool of ₹7 Lakh
- Winning team gets ₹1,00,000 in cash; first runner-up ₹75,000; second runner-up ₹50,000
- Extra benefits worth ₹4,75,000, including an incubation opportunity, a paid internship and courses
- Open to students of any discipline in India or abroad; teams of one to four members, including cross-institution teams
- Register and submit a deck of up to nine slides by 11 August 2026; final round on 25 August 2026
- Entry charge per team: ₹699 for MUJ Indian students, ₹799 for other Indian students, US$50 for international students
Who can apply
The challenge is meant for students, and it does not restrict the field of study — applicants can be studying in India or abroad.
- Team size: one to four members per team.
- Team composition: teammates may belong to the same institution or to different ones. Cross-institutional teams are explicitly welcome.
- Entry charges, paid per team rather than per person: Indian students of Manipal University Jaipur pay ₹699, Indian students from other institutions pay ₹799, and international students pay US$50.
- No other filters stated: there is no discipline, sector, state or nationality bar beyond the fee tiers above, and no DPIIT, MSME or incorporation requirement is mentioned.
International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student 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 International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool closed on 11 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Support here comes as prize money and rewards rather than as a grant or investment.
- Winning team: ₹1,00,000 in cash
- First runner-up: ₹75,000 in cash
- Second runner-up: ₹50,000 in cash
- Additional benefits valued at ₹4,75,000: goodies and hampers, courses, a paid internship, an incubation opportunity, and recommendation certificates
Together the cash awards and the additional benefits make up a prize pool of ₹7 Lakh.
About the provider
International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool is offered by Manipal University Jaipur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Manipal University Jaipur as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries move through two rounds, and the schedule for both is fixed.
Round 1 — Presentation screening Teams register and submit a presentation deck of not more than nine slides, prepared on the template shared by the organisers. Both the registration and the deck are due by 11 August 2026. Shortlisted teams are announced on 13 August 2026.
Round 2 — Closing round The shortlisted teams present on 25 August 2026 at the Jaipur campus of Manipal University Jaipur. International teams that cannot travel can take part online.
How judges score projects
- Originality
- Innovation
- Feasibility
- Impact
The expert panel's decisions are final.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student 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
International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹7L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the International Innovation Challenge 3.0?
It is a multi-round innovation competition organised by Manipal University Jaipur for students. Teams of one to four members develop an original project built around one of ten themes described in the official guidelines, first submitting a presentation deck and then, if shortlisted, presenting at the closing round on the Jaipur campus.
How much prize money is on offer?
The pool totals ₹7 Lakh. The winning team receives ₹1,00,000 in cash, the first runner-up receives ₹75,000, and the second runner-up receives ₹50,000. Beyond the cash, participants can receive benefits worth ₹4,75,000, which include courses, goodies and hampers, a paid internship, an incubation opportunity and recommendation certificates.
What is the application deadline?
Registration and the deck submission both close on 11 August 2026. The shortlist is published on 13 August 2026, and the closing round takes place on 25 August 2026.
Who is eligible to enter?
Students from any discipline, whether studying in India or abroad. Teams must have between one and four members, and teammates do not have to come from the same institution — cross-institutional teams are allowed. No restriction on the field of study is mentioned.
Which themes can a project address?
There are ten themes, and they are described in the official guidelines for the challenge. Teams pick the theme that best fits their project idea.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, and it is charged per team. Indian students of Manipal University Jaipur pay ₹699, teams of Indian students from other institutions pay ₹799, and international teams pay US$50.
What do I need to submit with my entry?
A presentation deck of no more than nine slides, prepared on the template provided by the organisers. Along with it, the team leader's details and the transaction ID for the fee payment have to be entered during registration.
How are the entries judged?
Projects are assessed on four parameters: originality, innovation, feasibility and impact. The decisions of the expert panel are final.
Can international teams take part without travelling to Jaipur?
Yes. While the closing round is held offline at the Manipal University Jaipur campus in Jaipur, an online option is available for international teams, so a team based abroad can still present.
How do I apply, and does the programme take equity?
Applications are made through the Unstop listing for the challenge, linked on this page. You choose the fee tier that matches your team, pay it, enter the team leader's details and the transaction ID, and upload your deck before 11 August 2026. No equity, stake or ownership in a venture is mentioned anywhere in the programme details — the rewards are cash prizes plus benefits such as internships, incubation support, courses and certificates.
Is DPIIT recognition required for International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool?
International Innovation Challenge 3.0 — ₹7L Student Prize Pool is offered by Manipal University Jaipur, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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