Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge
A 10-day online startup challenge for women, with mentorship across three structured rounds and a ₹7,500 cash prize pool. Open to students, professionals, homemakers and mothers, in teams of 1–2.
- Funding amount
- ₹7,500 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (19 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Shepreneurs 2026 is a ten-day startup challenge that runs entirely online and is built for women who want to take an idea and shape it into something real. It is presented by TechVerse Solutions in partnership with She Builds, and it asks for no entry fee and no previous business background.
The programme deliberately casts a wide net. It is aimed at school and college students, working professionals, homemakers, mothers, women who are still sitting on an idea, women who have already started something small, and women who run an established business. Mother-daughter teams are especially encouraged to take part.
Over the ten days, participants move through three assessed rounds — ideation, a demo video, and a final pitch — supported along the way by a live kickoff session and a dedicated mentorship day with industry experts.
The prize pool totals ₹7,500 in cash, split between winners and runners-up, and is supplemented by swag kits, vouchers, certificates and recognition, including special awards for the Best Business Idea and for mother-daughter teams. Standout participants may also be offered internships, freelance work or hiring opportunities through the partner network. Registration closes on 19 July 2026, and joining the official WhatsApp community is compulsory for everyone taking part.
Highlights
- 10-day online startup challenge for women, run by TechVerse Solutions with She Builds
- Cash prize pool of ₹7,500 shared across winners and runners-up
- Three rounds: ideation (Days 1–2), demo video (Days 3–6), final pitch (Day 10)
- Mentorship day with industry experts on Day 7 and a live Kickoff Meet on the 20th
- Open to women of any age or background — solo or in teams of 1–2, no prior business experience needed
- Registration deadline: 19 July 2026; joining the official WhatsApp community is mandatory
Who can apply
Shepreneurs 2026 is open to women of any age and any background — you do not need to have run a business before.
The programme welcomes a broad range of participants, including:
- School and college students
- Working professionals
- Homemakers and mothers
- Women who have an idea but have not started building yet
- Women already building something small
- Women who already run their own business
Entries can be made solo or as a team of one or two members. Mother-daughter teams are particularly encouraged.
What matters is the idea and the willingness to develop it — the criteria do not require an existing company, a particular sector or any prior business experience.
Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge 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 Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge closed on 19 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The challenge carries a cash prize pool of ₹7,500 in total, distributed across the winners and the runners-up.
Beyond the cash, participants can receive:
- Premium swag kits
- Vouchers
- Certificates
- Exclusive recognition through the programme
Two special awards are given separately — one for the Best Business Idea and one for mother-daughter teams.
Outstanding participants may also be offered internship, freelance or hiring opportunities from the partner network. As a competition with cash prizes rather than an investment programme, there is no equity or ownership stake involved.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Registration closes on 19 July 2026, after which the challenge unfolds online over ten days across three rounds.
- Round 1 — Ideation (Days 1–2): Submit your business idea, the problem it addresses, the solution you propose and what makes it distinctive.
- Round 2 — Demo Video (Days 3–6): Submit a demo video showing your idea, a prototype, or the progress you have made so far.
- Round 3 — Business Pitching (Day 10): Present your final pitch to the panel.
A live Kickoff Meet is held on the 20th to explain how the process works, and Day 7 is set aside for a mentorship day with industry experts. Assessment happens across the rounds, with the final pitch judged by the panel that also decides the winners, runners-up and the special awards for Best Business Idea and mother-daughter teams.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge, 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
Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹7,500. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Shepreneurs 2026?
It is a ten-day startup challenge conducted fully online, designed to take women from a raw idea through to a finished pitch. It is presented by TechVerse Solutions in partnership with She Builds, and it combines structured rounds, mentorship and a cash prize pool.
Who is eligible to take part?
The challenge is open to women of any age and any background. That includes school and college students, working professionals, homemakers, mothers, women who only have an idea so far, women already building something small, and women who already run a business. You can enter alone or with one other person, so teams may have one or two members.
Do I need business experience or an already registered company?
No. Prior business experience is not required, and the programme explicitly welcomes women who are starting from just an idea. Mother-daughter teams are especially encouraged to apply.
How much funding or prize money is on offer?
The total cash prize pool is ₹7,500, distributed across the winners and runners-up. On top of the cash, recipients receive premium swag kits, vouchers, certificates and recognition. There are also two special awards — one for the Best Business Idea and one for mother-daughter teams.
What does the ten-day schedule look like?
The challenge is divided into three rounds. Round 1 is ideation and runs across Days 1–2. Round 2 is a demo video and runs from Day 3 to Day 6. Round 3 is the final business pitch on Day 10. A live Kickoff Meet on the 20th explains the process, and Day 7 is dedicated to mentorship with industry experts.
What do I have to submit in each round?
In Round 1 you submit a business idea along with the problem statement, your solution and what makes it unique. In Round 2 you submit a demo video showcasing your idea, a prototype or your progress. In Round 3 you present your final pitch to the panel.
What is the application deadline and how do I apply?
The deadline is 19 July 2026. You register through the Unstop page for Shepreneurs 2026, filling in your basic details and a short note about your idea. Joining the official WhatsApp community is mandatory for all participants once you register.
Does taking part cost anything, and does the programme take equity?
There is no entry fee to participate. Because this is a competition with cash prizes and recognition rather than an investment, there is no equity or ownership stake taken in your business.
What else can participants get besides the prize money?
Participants get access to mentorship from industry experts on Day 7, swag kits, vouchers, certificates and recognition. Outstanding participants may also be offered internship, freelance or hiring opportunities from the partner network.
Can I enter as part of a team?
Yes. Teams can have one or two members, so you may participate solo or pair up with one other woman. Mother-daughter teams are particularly encouraged and have their own special award category.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge
Not sure Shepreneurs 2026 — ₹7,500 Women's Online Startup Challenge is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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