The Big Brand Theory: IIT-BHU Case Competition With ₹10,000 Prize Pool
An online case competition from IIT-BHU in which teams of up to four members pick a company and design its market entry and growth strategy for India, competing for a share of up to ₹10,000 in cash prizes.
- Funding amount
- ₹10,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (12 May 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Big Brand Theory is a case competition hosted entirely online by IIT-BHU, the Indian Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University. Participants step into the shoes of a large enterprise and are asked to solve the kind of strategy problem such a company faces when it sets up or scales up in India.
Every team chooses one company from a list shared by the organisers, then builds a full plan for that business — how it should enter the Indian market, how the brand should be established, and how growth can be sustained afterwards. The brief is deliberately open-ended, so the quality of research, reasoning and the practicality of the roadmap matter more than the size of any team.
Format and timeline
The competition runs completely online. Proposals are submitted as PowerPoint decks, and only one submission is accepted per team. Files must follow a set naming convention: TeamName_Round no_TBBT. The event window is 12 April 2026 to 24 May 2026, and registration closes on 12 May 2026.
Prizes
Cash awards go to the three best teams out of a total pool of up to ₹10,000 — up to ₹5,000 for the winners, up to ₹3,000 for the first runners-up and up to ₹2,000 for the second runners-up.
Highlights
- Online case competition organised by IIT-BHU
- Registration deadline: 12 May 2026; event window 12 April to 24 May 2026
- Total prize pool of up to ₹10,000 — ₹5,000 / ₹3,000 / ₹2,000 for the top three teams
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, working professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs
- Teams of 1 to 4 members; inter-college teams welcome, but one person can join only one team
- Submit a PowerPoint strategy deck named TeamName_Round no_TBBT; only one submission per team
Who can apply
Open to students, professionals and entrepreneurs. Undergraduates, postgraduates, working professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs can all take part. There is no restriction to one campus, course or employer.
- Team size: 1 to 4 members. You can compete solo or bring in up to three teammates.
- Inter-college teams: allowed and encouraged, so members do not need to come from the same institution.
- One team per person: an individual can be part of only one team.
- Decisions: all eligibility calls and final judgments rest with the organising team, and their decisions are final.
The Big Brand Theory: IIT-BHU Case Competition With ₹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 The Big Brand Theory: IIT-BHU Case Competition With ₹10,000 Prize Pool closed on 12 May 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The rewards at The Big Brand Theory are cash prizes for the strongest strategy submissions, with a combined pool of up to ₹10,000 at stake.
- Winning team: up to ₹5,000
- First runners-up: up to ₹3,000
- Second runners-up: up to ₹2,000
The prize money is awarded to the top three teams. No further funding, incubation support or follow-on benefits have been announced by the organisers.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
- Register: complete your team's entry through the official Unstop competition page before the registration deadline of 12 May 2026.
- Choose a company: each team selects one company from the list provided by the organisers.
- Build the strategy: prepare a market entry, brand establishment and growth plan for that company in the Indian market.
- Submit the deck: upload the proposal in PowerPoint format, only one submission per team, named in the TeamName_Round no_TBBT format.
- Judging: the organising team assesses the entries, and its judgments along with all eligibility decisions are final.
- Prizes: the top three teams receive up to ₹5,000, up to ₹3,000 and up to ₹2,000 respectively.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to The Big Brand Theory: IIT-BHU Case Competition With ₹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
The Big Brand Theory: IIT-BHU Case Competition With ₹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 The Big Brand Theory?
It is an online case competition hosted by IIT-BHU. Participants take the role of a large enterprise, pick one company from a list supplied by the organisers, and work out how that company should enter the Indian market and keep growing here. The entire contest is conducted online, and entries are submitted as PowerPoint decks.
How much can a team win?
The total prize pool is up to ₹10,000. The winning team receives up to ₹5,000, the first runners-up get up to ₹3,000, and the second runners-up are awarded up to ₹2,000.
Who is eligible to participate?
The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, working professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. You do not need to be attached to a particular college, course or company, and teams may be formed across institutions.
What is the last date to register?
Registration closes on 12 May 2026. The competition itself runs from 12 April 2026 to 24 May 2026, so the registration deadline falls inside the event window.
Do I need a team, and how large can it be?
Teams may have anywhere between 1 and 4 members, so you can enter on your own or with up to three others. Inter-college teams are permitted, but one person cannot be part of more than one team.
What exactly do we have to submit?
Each team submits a strategy proposal in PowerPoint format, setting out a market entry, brand building and growth plan for the company it has chosen. Only one submission per team is allowed, and the file must follow the naming format TeamName_Round no_TBBT.
Does the competition take equity or invest in a business?
No. This is a case competition that awards cash prizes to the three best teams rather than an investment programme, so there is no equity stake or funding into a venture involved.
Do we need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
No company registration or government recognition is required to enter. The competition is open to students, professionals and entrepreneurs as individuals, and what really matters is your team size, the one-team-per-person rule and meeting the registration deadline.
How and where do we apply?
Entries are registered through the official Unstop competition page for The Big Brand Theory, which also carries the application link and the competition details. Make sure your team is registered before 12 May 2026.
Who evaluates the entries and are the results final?
The organising team handles assessment of the submissions. Its decisions on eligibility and its final judgments are binding, so there is no appeal beyond that.
How do I apply for The Big Brand Theory: IIT-BHU Case Competition With ₹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.
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