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About Future Founders Challenge
The Future Founders Challenge 2025 is a national-level entrepreneurship competition by UPES in collaboration with the School of Business and Runway Incubator. Designed for students from Classes 9 to 12, this challenge empowers students to develop creative solutions for real-world problems and present their ideas before entering college and the challenge aims to unlock entrepreneurial journey.
Aligned with UPES’s vision as the University of Tomorrow, the Challenge equips students to become future-ready, impact-oriented leaders through immersive learning, industry engagement, and real-world innovation exposure. It aligns with initiatives like Startup India, NEP 2020, and Atal Innovation Mission, highlighting the importance of preparing students to succeed in an evolving, solutions-focused world.
Where Young Minds Meet Big Dreams
Why Participate?
For Students
- Win cash prizes and get national recognition
- Learn through hands-on startup workshops
- Pitch ideas to industry leaders and esteemed jury
- Join a network of young changemakers
- Cultivate entrepreneurial mindset and explore incubation support
- Explore emerging learning pathways at UPES
For Schools
- Elevate school’s brand through a prestigious platform
- Gain national recognition for innovation excellence
- Offer students hands-on entrepreneurial experience
- Strengthen your school’s incubation ecosystem with expert guidance
- Promote modern, project-based interdisciplinary learning
- Explore strategic partnerships and opportunities with UPES
Eligibility
👩🏼🎓Students from classes 9–12
👥Teams (Min 2- Max 3 members)
💼No prior startup experience needed
Submission Guidelines
- Submit all nominations by 28th September 2025.
- Each team must have 2–3 students from the same school.
- Schools can nominate multiple teams with unique ideas and names.
- Nominations must be made by authorized school representatives with complete team details.
- Every team must have an original business idea and a distinct team name.
- Selected teams must be available to attend the Grand Finale at UPES Dehradun.
- All students must attend three online workshops conducted by UPES.
- Incomplete entries may lead to disqualification.
Rules and Regulations
Note: Kindly download the Rules and Regulations for your reference and better understanding.
Registration
Register Here
Competition Flow
Important Dates
Events and Activities | Dates |
---|---|
Application Starts | August 19, 2025 |
Application Ends | September 28, 2025 |
Shortlisting of Ideas | October 1, 2025 |
Virtual Workshop (Session 1) | October 6, 2025 |
Virtual Workshop (Session 2) | October 11, 2025 |
Virtual Workshop (Session 3) | October 15, 2025 |
Pitch Deck Submission | October 27, 2025 |
Declaration of Finalists | October 31, 2025 |
Grand Finale at UPES Campus | November 17, 2025 |
*Timelines subject to UPES’ discretion and review.
Prizes & Recognition
Winner
1 Lakh INR
Runner-up
50 K INR
North Zone
K INR
Winner
K INR
Runner-up
South Zone
K INR
Winner
K INR
Runner-up
East Zone
K INR
Winner
K INR
Runner-up
West Zone
K INR
Winner
K INR
Runner-up