Opportunity brief
Formula Unicorn goes beyond a conventional business competition. Teams are placed in a simulated entrepreneurial environment where every decision matters, from the companies you acquire and the price you pay to the business you build.
Starting with ₹100 Crores in virtual money, teams compete in a strategic auction, identify synergies between their acquisitions, and turn them into a meaningful, innovative and viable business concept. The final challenge is to turn that idea into a prototype and pitch it before the judges, as well as the competing teams.
The Challenge: Bid → Acquire → Integrate → Build → Pitch
Eligibility & Team Structure
- Team size: 2-3 participants
- Open to inter-college participation
- Maximum 30 teams: 20 internal (expandable if needed) and 10 external
- Only one team per class can participate. If the 30-team limit is not reached, additional internal teams may be allowed to join
- External teams must clear a shortlisting round (Round 0) before the final event
Round 0: Shortlisting (External Teams Only)
- Shortlisting is based on the resumes of team members
- Shortlisted teams are selected for Round 1
Round 1: Auction (29th October)
- Budget: ₹100 Crores per team; acquire a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 companies
- Format: 5 min company auction with a 30 sec cooling period
- Only the team leader can raise the bidding placard
- Teams acquiring fewer than 2 companies are eliminated
- Special Auction Rule: If only one team remains interested in a company, the auctioneer raises the price once more. If the team accepts, it buys at that price; if it declines, it still wins the company at the earlier lower price
- Twists along the way: Market Shock, Mystery Company, Insider Information, Trade Window, Hidden Synergy and Curveball Constraint
Round 2: Product Integration & Pitch (30th October)
- Create a product, service, business or merger using your acquisitions
- The presentation must follow the template provided by E-Cell CRCE
- Each qualified team presents its final business idea to the judges
- Format: 8 min presentation + 2-3 min investor Q&A
- Other participants can raise questions to the presenting team. If the presenting team fails to reply satisfactorily, it will lose points and the team that asked the question will gain additional points
- Teams must carry their own laptops and a presentation backup. Figma or other digital mock-ups can be used, while actual prototypes are encouraged
Evaluation Criteria (in no particular order) :
- Problem being addressed
- Target market
- Existing competitors in the space
- Proposed solution
- Business model
- Prototype & mock-up (even a Figma presentation works)
- Estimated revenue targets
- Future expansion scope
- Presentation skills
Venue & Schedule
- 29th October, Round 1: Seminar Hall 108, 10 AM onwards
- 30th October, Round 2: Classroom 608, 10 AM onwards
Registration Fee
₹250 per team
Before the Auction
- The company list and base prices (up to 40 companies) will be released at 8 PM, one evening before the event
- A rules video will be shared in the official WhatsApp group at 8 PM, one day before
- Team numbers and seating are decided by the council
- A 3-company mock auction will be held before the actual auction
Recognition
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- FE Winner (within CRCE)
- Plus certificates, goodies and snacks
Disputes
Under any disputes, E-Cell CRCE remains the de facto body for resolving disputes.
Contact
- Arnav Potale (VCP) : +91 88303 31242, president@ecell-crce.in
- Manasvi Ghadi (Events Head) : +91 88508 23809, events@ecell-crce.in
- Ashman Raut (Finance Head) : +91 99208 43826, support@ecell-crce.in