OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 Case Competition
A flagship industrial process optimisation case study competition by the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, open to engineering and MBA students across India as part of Fugacity 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (10 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
OptimizeIT is the flagship case study competition of the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, staged as part of Fugacity 2026. It is built around industrial process optimisation: teams are handed engineering problem statements modelled on complex real-world systems — unit operations, reactor systems, and oil and utility pipelines among them — and have to work out how those systems can be run better.
The contest runs in two rounds. An online qualifier narrows the field down, and the shortlisted teams then present on campus at IIT Kharagpur. Because the problem statements mirror actual industrial practice, the exercise works much like a consulting engagement: teams must frame the problem, justify their recommendations with data, and defend their numbers.
The audience is students rather than founders. Undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students and MBA students from anywhere in India can enter, and teams may be assembled across colleges, departments and years of study. Winners and runners-up take home cash prizes and merit certificates, while every team that reaches the finals receives a finalist certificate.
Highlights
- Case study competition on industrial process optimisation, run by the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
- Part of Fugacity 2026 and open to UG, PG engineering and MBA students across India
- Teams of 1–4 members, with inter-college, inter-departmental and cross-year teams allowed
- Round 1 requires a pitch deck of max 12 slides in PDF via Unstop; registration closes August 10, 2026
- Offline finals at IIT Kharagpur: 10-minute presentation plus Q&A, with the grand finale on August 30, 2026
- Winners and runners-up receive cash prizes and merit certificates; all finalists get finalist certificates
Who can apply
Eligibility here rests on your student status rather than on any company or startup registration.
- Who can enter: undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) engineering students, and MBA students, studying at institutions anywhere in India.
- Team size: 1 to 4 members.
- Team composition: inter-college, inter-departmental and cross-year teams are all permitted, so members do not have to come from the same institution, branch or batch.
- No registration requirement: there is no need for DPIIT recognition, MSME status or a registered company — OptimizeIT is a student case study competition.
OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 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
The most recent application window for OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 Case Competition 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
OptimizeIT is a prize competition rather than a grant, loan or investment programme, so no fixed funding figure is published and the reward depends on how far a team progresses.
- Winners and runners-up: cash prizes along with merit certificates.
- All finalists: a finalist certificate for every team that reaches the offline finals.
- No equity involved: the rewards are cash prizes and certificates, with no equity stake or repayment obligation attached.
On top of the prizes, finalists get the chance to present their consulting frameworks directly to a panel of industry experts and professors at IIT Kharagpur.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Selection happens over two rounds.
Round 1 — Online Qualifier. Registered teams receive a detailed case study and must submit a professional pitch deck of no more than 12 slides, counting the title slide and any appendix. The deck is uploaded through Unstop in PDF format by the team leader. The submission window runs from July 20 to August 16, 2026, and finalists are announced on August 19, 2026.
Round 2 — Offline Finals. Shortlisted teams come to the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and present their consulting frameworks in 10 minutes, followed by an intensive Q&A with a panel of industry experts and professors. The grand finale is held on August 30, 2026.
Entries are assessed on technical accuracy, economic viability and feasibility, and data presentation. Pitching and defence are scored in Round 2 only.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 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.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is OptimizeIT?
It is the flagship industrial process optimisation case study competition run by the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, held as part of Fugacity 2026. Teams receive engineering problem statements modelled on complex industrial systems such as unit operations, reactor systems, and oil and utility pipelines, and then work up a consulting-style solution to them.
Who is eligible to take part in OptimizeIT?
Any undergraduate or postgraduate engineering student and any MBA student studying in India can take part. There is no restriction by state, branch or institution — what matters is that you are enrolled in one of those programmes.
How large can a team be, and can we team up with students from other colleges?
Teams may have between 1 and 4 members. Inter-college, inter-departmental and cross-year teams are all allowed, so you are free to build a mixed group drawn from different institutions, departments or batches.
How do we register, and what is the deadline?
Registration takes place on Unstop, and the last date to register is August 10, 2026. The case submission itself has to be uploaded by the team leader through the same Unstop listing.
What do we have to submit in Round 1?
A professional pitch deck, uploaded in PDF format via Unstop. It can be a maximum of 12 slides, including the title slide and any appendix. The online qualifier submission window is open from July 20 to August 16, 2026.
What is the format of the finals?
Shortlisted teams present in person at the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. Each team gets 10 minutes to walk the panel through its consulting framework, followed by an intensive Q&A session. Finalists are announced on August 19, 2026, and the grand finale takes place on August 30, 2026.
How much prize money is on offer?
The published rewards are cash prizes plus merit certificates for the winners and runners-up, and a finalist certificate for every team that reaches the offline finals. The exact prize amounts are not disclosed in the programme details.
How are entries judged?
Round 1 entries are assessed on technical accuracy, economic viability and feasibility, and data presentation. Pitching and defence are added as an evaluation criterion in Round 2 only.
Does OptimizeIT take equity, or do we need DPIIT or MSME registration?
Neither. This is a case study competition for students, so there is no equity stake, investment or repayment involved — the rewards are cash prizes and certificates. DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is not part of the eligibility criteria either.
How do I apply for OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 Case Competition?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 Case Competition
Not sure OptimizeIT — IIT Kharagpur Fugacity 2026 Case Competition is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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