To highlight the best student-run startup in India

AWS and Campus Fund Announce 5th Grand Challenge: To Recognize India’s Best Student-Run Startup
Campus Fund (BusinessWire India)
2024-08-21

Business Wire India

Grand Jury – AWS | Campus Fund Grand Challenge 2024

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Campus Fund are proud to announce the fifth edition of Grand Challenge, the largest and most prestigious platform that recognizes the best student-led startup of the year. This national platform continues to nurture innovation and transform entrepreneurial dreams into reality for the most promising student founders in India.

This time, the jury consisted of young pioneers and industry veterans.

Key information:

The call for applications lasts until 15 September 2024.
Top 15 startups to present in person at the Finale in Mumbai
Winners are eligible for investment up to 4 crores from Campus Fund

Building on Success: Previous Grand Challenge winners include trailblazers like Paradyes (DIY Hair colour, from University of Arts, London, also featured in Shark Tank India), Digantara (Space Cartographers from Lovely Professional University and RV College of Engineering) and Treacle Technologies (Cybersecurity Startup from IIT Kanpur). The finalists in previous editions have collectively raised over $30 million from top investors, demonstrating the Grand Challenge’s role in accelerating the Indian student startup ecosystem.

With over 1,200 universities and institutes of national importance, India’s educational landscape is thriving with talent and also provides a fertile ground for students to start their education. These ventures now account for over 20% of new startups in the country, driving innovation, job creation and economic growth. This is also a reflection of the evolution of the education system in India.

Grand Challenge Format:

Submitting an application
Multiple elimination rounds
One-on-one mentoring with industry experts
Top 15 finalists compete in the Grand Finale in Mumbai

Exclusive deals:

Lunch with Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Founder of InfoEdge) for the top three winners
Fireside Chat with Deep Kalra (Founder of MakeMyTrip)

Benefits for all applicants:

Up to $25,000 in AWS Activate credits (subject to eligibility)
Incubation opportunities at NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore, Deshpande Startups, Pieds- BITS Pilani for top 100 startups
Access to 0xCamp and Foundership’s Web 3.0 Masterclass
Introduction to Wadhwani Foundation’s 14-Week Ignite Program
Access to the WinPE mentoring program for one student entrepreneur
Clean mobility startups will also compete in the Micelio Mobility Startup Awards

Eligibility: Open to current students, university dropouts, or recent graduates (as of 2021). The challenge is open to startups from all sectors.

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your startup on the National Stage, where you’ll be graced by National Builders and Industry Stalwarts, and potentially secure a significant investment to accelerate your startup journey. Apply now at – https://bit.ly/grandchallenge2024.