The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition
A two-day offline case competition in Kanpur on 11–12 September 2026 where student and early-stage teams of 2–4 pitch business plans for a share of a ₹1,00,000 prize pool. Register by 5 September 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹1L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (5 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Start up Conclave is an in-person case competition held in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and run by the Maharana Pratap Group of Institutions. It is aimed at people who would rather argue a business case in front of judges than write an exam — students, and aspiring founders testing an idea for the first time.
The conclave occupies two days, 11 and 12 September 2026. Teams present their business ideas and business plans in a structured format, and the judges weigh two things when ranking them: how convincing the pitch is, and how workable the business plan behind it looks. The event wraps up with the winners being recognised on stage.
There is a total prize pool of ₹1,00,000, distributed among the strongest performers at the judges' discretion. Teams may also take up stalls at the venue; the stall booking fee is not listed publicly and is shared with teams by email.
A practical point for outstation participants: the organisers do not arrange or pay for travel or accommodation, so teams covering their own trip to Kanpur should plan for it. Registration closes on 5 September 2026 and is handled through the contest's official Unstop listing.
Highlights
- Two-day offline case competition in Kanpur on 11–12 September 2026, organised by the Maharana Pratap Group of Institutions.
- Total prize pool of ₹1,00,000, shared among the best performers as decided by the judges.
- Open to students and early-stage entrepreneurs; teams must have 2 to 4 members.
- Register by 5 September 2026 through the contest's official Unstop page.
- Judging is based on pitch quality and the viability of the business plan.
- No travel or accommodation is provided; stalls at the venue can be booked against a fee shared by email.
Who can apply
The conclave is open to students and aspiring entrepreneurs, which includes founders at an early stage of building something. The organisers do not lay down restrictions based on course, stream, college, city or industry.
The one firm rule is team size. Every entry must be a team of at least 2 and at most 4 members — solo entries are not part of the described format.
Since the event is held on campus in Kanpur, teams from outside the city can enter, but they are responsible for their own travel and stay.
The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize 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 The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition closed on 5 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a prize competition rather than a grant, loan or investment scheme. What teams compete for is a cash prize pool of ₹1,00,000, with the headline award figure running up to ₹1,00,000. How that pool is split between the best-performing teams is decided by the judges and is not fixed in advance.
- Cash prizes from a ₹1,00,000 pool, awarded to the top performers.
- Recognition at the close of the two-day event.
- A stage to present a business idea and plan to judges and an audience in Kanpur.
- The option to showcase a stall at the venue, subject to a booking fee that is communicated by email.
Two costs sit outside the prize pool: teams must arrange their own travel and lodging, as the organisers provide neither, and any stall booking carries a separate fee.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entry begins with registration on the official Unstop page, which must be completed by 5 September 2026.
The competition itself takes place over two days, 11 and 12 September 2026, in Kanpur. Participating teams present their business ideas and plans in a structured presentation format — and, if they have booked one, may also run a stall at the venue.
Judging rests on two criteria: the quality of the pitch delivered by the team, and the viability of the business plan it is built on. There is no other evaluation step described.
Once the judges have decided, the winners are recognised at the end of the event, and the ₹1,00,000 prize pool is shared among them.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize 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.
Who this is best for
The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is The Start up Conclave?
It is an offline case competition organised by the Maharana Pratap Group of Institutions in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Teams put together a business idea and plan and then present it to judges over two days — 11 and 12 September 2026 — with prizes handed out to the best performers at the end.
Who is eligible to participate?
Students and aspiring entrepreneurs can take part, including founders at an early stage of building a business. No restriction is placed on which course, college, stream or sector you come from. The only hard condition is that you enter as a team of 2 to 4 members.
How much money can a winning team get?
The organisers have announced a total prize pool of ₹1,00,000, with awards running up to ₹1,00,000. The way that amount is divided among the top teams is left entirely to the judges, so individual prize amounts are not published in advance.
How big does my team need to be?
A team must have a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 4. Entries outside that range do not fit the stated format.
What is the last date to register?
Registration closes on 5 September 2026. The competition itself follows a few days later, on 11 and 12 September 2026.
Where is the event held, and do I need to travel?
It is held in Kanpur at the Maharana Pratap Group of Institutions, and it is an in-person event. Teams travel to the venue on their own — the organisers do not provide or reimburse conveyance or lodging, so outstation participants should budget separately for the trip.
How do I apply?
Applications are made through the official Unstop competition page for The Start up Conclave. You register as a team of 2 to 4 members before 5 September 2026. If your team wants a stall at the venue, the booking fee is conveyed to you by email.
How are the winners decided?
Judges look at two things: how good the pitch is, and whether the business plan behind it is viable. There is no separate written test described. The results are announced and winners recognised as the two-day conclave closes.
Does the conclave take equity or a stake in my business?
No. This is a prize competition, so the money comes to winners as a cash award decided by the judges rather than as an investment. Nothing in the described format involves giving up a stake in your idea or venture.
What should my team prepare for the two days?
Come with a business idea or plan ready to be presented in a structured format. The judging rewards both presentation skill and the soundness of the plan, so be prepared to explain how your idea would actually work in practice and why it is viable.
Is DPIIT recognition required for The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition
Not sure The Start up Conclave, Kanpur — ₹1,00,000 Prize Case Competition is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.