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2025 Participation Highlights
About
Future Founders Challenge
The Future Founders Challenge is UPES's national entrepreneurship competition, in collaboration with Runway Incubator, for students of Classes 9–12. It empowers young innovators to solve real-world problems, pitch breakthrough ideas and take their first step into entrepreneurship. Aligned with Startup India, NEP 2020 and the Atal Innovation Mission, the challenge reflects UPES's vision as the University of Tomorrow, nurturing future-ready innovators and entrepreneurial leaders.
Solve real challenges. Build the skills to back it up.
Learn how startups work, guided by entrepreneurs and industry experts.
Compete with India's best young minds.
Your idea could win it all.
2025 Schools Participated
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Why Participate?
For Students
🏆Win cash prizes and recognition
💡Learn through startup workshops
🎤Pitch to industry experts
🤝Network with young innovators
🚀Build an entrepreneurial mindset
🎓Explore opportunities at UPES
For Schools
🏫Elevate your school's brand
🏅Gain national recognition
🚀Foster student entrepreneurship
💡Strengthen innovation culture
🎓Promote experiential learning
🤝Build partnerships with UPES
Prizes & Recognition
Turn Your Idea into a Win
01 · First Prize
Winner
₹1,50,000
02 · Second Prize
Runner-up
₹1,00,000
03 · Third Prize
2nd Runner-up
₹50,000
Merit Recognition
Merit Winners
₹25,000 each
5 Winning Teams
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Winner | ₹1,50,000 |
| 🥈 Runner-up | ₹1,00,000 |
| 🥉 2nd Runner-up | ₹50,000 |
| 🏅 Merit Winners | ₹25,000 each 5 Winning Teams |
Eligibility
Students from
Classes 9–12
Teams
(Min. 2 – Max. 3 Members)
Each Student Can Be Part of Only One Team
No Prior Startup Experience Needed
Rules and Regulations
Note: Kindly download the Rules and Regulations for your reference and better understanding.
Competition Flow
Important Dates
Last Date to Register
First Webinar
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Second Webinar
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Pitch Deck Submission
Shortlisted Team Announcement
Grand Finale @ UPES Campus
Dehradun Campus
Jury Speaks
Mr. Siddhart Daga
Cofounder, NeoMotion"Empowering students to become tomorrow's changemakers."
Mr. Jeet Vijay
Former CEO, MeitY Startup Division"UPES empowers student founders to innovate."
Mr. Vikram Venkateshwaran
Founder, Healthcare India"Ambitious minds solving real-world challenges boldly."
Success Stories 2025
BCM Arya, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana
Rank #1
Greenwood school Bangalore
Rank #2
Spring Dale Senior School, Amritsar, Punjab
Rank #3
Sagar Public School, RN Branch, Bhopal, MP
Rank #4
Delhi Public School, Jabalpur, MP
Rank #5
Delhi Public School, Ranipur, UK
Rank #6Contacts
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| futurefounders@ddn.upes.ac.in | |
| Sumit Wason | 9988885869 |
| Anshul Chouhan | 8839547760 |
