Youth Ideathon by Think Startup
₹1,00,000 Incubation Grant
Youth Ideathon by Think Startup is a competition by Think Startup for students in Class 4–12, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
Hybrid
Eligibility
Class 4–12
Fee
Free
Duration
Multi-stage competition culminating in a grand finale
Format
Team · Teams of 5
Time needed
Varies by stage, includes idea submission, video pitch, and final presentation. Online workshops are also provided.
About This Opportunity
The Youth Ideathon, organized by Think Startup and the Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) in association with CBSE, is India's largest innovation and entrepreneurship competition for school students. It aims to ignite a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to identify and solve real-world challenges. The competition focuses on themes such as Indian Heritage and Knowledge Systems, Technologies for India's advancement, and Sustainability.
This competition is open to all school students across India, from Class 4 to Class 12, divided into Junior (Class 4-8) and Senior (Class 9-12) categories. Students must participate in teams of 3 to 5 members from the same school. No prior experience in entrepreneurship is required, making it accessible to all young minds with innovative ideas.
Participants will develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Top teams receive incubation grants, cash prizes, and national recognition. All shortlisted teams receive certificates, and there are special awards for teachers, mentors, and schools, fostering a supportive ecosystem for young innovators.
The Youth Ideathon is a multi-stage competition that guides students through ideation, prototype development, and pitching their solutions to industry experts. It provides a unique platform to translate ideas into actionable prototypes or saleable products, contributing to India's economic growth and social progress.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 4–12
- Age Range
- 9 - 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Currently enrolled in a school in India
Open to all school students in India from Class 4 to Class 12. Participants must form teams of 3 to 5 members from the same school. No prior entrepreneurial experience is required.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The competition integrates themes relevant to current national and global challenges, encouraging interdisciplinary learning and practical application of knowledge.
Rewards & Recognition
Award
₹1,00,000 Grant
The top teams receive a progress-based incubation grant of up to ₹100,000 each to transform their ideas into real-time solutions. Additionally, the top 500 teams receive a cash grant of ₹1,000 for prototype development.
Prizes
Trophies for Schools
Special awards and trophies are given to schools that demonstrate high levels of participation and foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Certificate
Certificate by CBSE & MEPSC
Certificates are provided to all participants in the Top 1500, Top 500, Top 100, and Top 3 teams, recognized by Think Startup, Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Participation and recognition in this national competition, with opportunities to present at prestigious institutions like IIT Delhi, can significantly enhance college applications for STEM and business programs.
Career pathways
Provides a strong foundation for future entrepreneurial ventures and careers in innovation and business by building practical skills and offering mentorship from industry experts.
Recognition
National Recognition (CBSE)
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- India's largest innovation and entrepreneurship competition for school students.
- Collaboration with CBSE and MEPSC.
- Multi-stage competition guiding students from ideation to prototype development and pitching.
- Offers incubation grants and cash prizes for prototype development.
- Special awards for teachers, mentors, and schools.
- Focus on themes relevant to India's heritage, technological advancement, and sustainability.
Rounds & format
Stage 1: Online Idea Submission. Students form teams and submit their innovative solutions or business ideas through the YI online portal. Stage 2: Selection of Top 1500. A jury evaluates entries based on creativity, innovation, and feasibility. Shortlisted teams receive certificates. Stage 3: The ₹1000 Challenge and Knowledge Session. Each shortlisted team competes to develop a prototype (Innovation Track) or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (Entrepreneurship Track) with a ₹1000 grant. Free online workshops on product development, marketing, and pitching are provided. Teams create a short video pitch. Stage 4: Selection of Top 500. A jury evaluates video pitches to select the Top 500 teams, ensuring a balanced mix of junior and senior teams. All Top 500 teams receive certificates. Stage 5: The Grand Finale at IIT Delhi. The Top 100 teams are invited to showcase their solutions or products at IIT Delhi, presenting to a panel of distinguished judges and industry leaders. The top 3 teams in each theme for both Junior and Senior categories receive incubation grants.
How entries are judged
Ideas are evaluated based on creativity, innovation, feasibility, uniqueness, novelty, scalability, market viability, and social, economic, or environmental impact.
Selection process
Selection is based on the evaluation of submitted ideas, video pitches, and final presentations by a jury of experts. For the video pitch round, selection is based on an expert score (75% weightage) and a popularity score (25% weightage).
How to apply
- 1Students register and submit ideas online through the Youth Ideathon portal.
- 2The submission form requires basic student and team details, including parent contact information.
- 3Mentors' details are optional.
How to prepare
- Free online workshops on new product development, marketing, and pitching.
- Faculty and student workshops on 'How to get Good Ideas'.
- Mentorship and incubation support through various incubators for national, state, and theme award winners.
Fees & financial support
Fee details
Participation in the Youth Ideathon Competition is completely free for all students.
Frequently asked questions
Is Youth Ideathon by Think Startup free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in Youth Ideathon by Think Startup?
Students in Class 4–12. children aged 9-18.
What will my child gain from Youth Ideathon by Think Startup?
Incubation grants up to ₹100,000 for top teams. Cash grant of ₹1000 for prototype development for top 500 teams. Certificates for top 1500, 500, 100, and 3 teams recognized by CBSE, ThinkStartup, and MEPSC. Mentorship from industry experts and educators. Opportunity to present ideas at IIT Delhi. Development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. National recognition and media coverage for innovative ideas. Free online workshops on new product development, marketing, and pitching. Awards and recognition for participating teachers, mentors, and schools. Certificates for top teams recognized by CBSE, ThinkStartup, and MEPSC.
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