GenZpreneur

Overview:

ISB&M presents GenZpreneur National Conclave 2026, a pan-India student entrepreneurship initiative designed to discover, develop, and showcase the next generation of student entrepreneurs.

From campus ideas to national possibilities, GenZpreneur provides students with a structured platform to transform ideas into viable ventures through expert mentorship, validation, workshops, pitching opportunities, and industry exposure.

Have an idea? No idea yet? What matters is the entrepreneurial mindset.

The focus is simple: Learn. Build. Grow.

Eligibility Criteria:

This initiative is open to:

• All undergraduate students from all disciplines.
• All engineering students from all specializations.
• Students with ideas from any domain.
• Students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and building impactful solutions.

Team Rules:

• Students can participate in teams of 1–4 members.
• Team members should fulfil the eligibility requirements.
• Participants can bring ideas from any domain.
• Teams are expected to identify a problem and propose a solution with market potential.
• Participants must submit their idea in the prescribed format.
• Ideas should demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset and potential for development through mentorship.

Programme Structure:

Registration:

• Students can register individually and form their teams.
• Participants can select their preferred zone: North – Delhi, East – Kolkata, West – Pune, South – Bengaluru.
• Registration Opens: 1st September 2026.
• Registration Closes: 4th November 2026.

Zonal Development Labs:

• After registration, participants will take part in Zonal Development Labs designed to help them develop and strengthen their entrepreneurial ideas.
• The labs will provide participants with opportunities to:
• Refine and develop their ideas.
• Validate the identified problem.
• Strengthen their proposed solution.
• Work on their business model.
• Receive guidance and expert inputs.
• Prepare for the zonal pitching stage.
• Zonal Centres: North – Delhi, East – Kolkata, West – Pune, South – Bengaluru.

Advanced Mentoring:

• Selected teams will receive intensive mentoring and accelerator support to help them:
• Refine their business models.
• Validate their ideas.
• Develop MVPs.
• Strengthen go-to-market strategies.
• Identify potential funding opportunities.
• Prepare for investor pitches.
• Duration: 1st November 2026 – 15th January 2027.

Zonal Pitching Events:

• Teams will compete at the zonal level through pitching events.
• Participants will present their ideas to a panel comprising successful entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, venture capitalists, MSME representatives, funding agencies, and industry partners.
• The top-performing teams from each zone will qualify for the National Grand Finale.
• Zonal Pitching: 16th January – 15th February 2027.

National Grand Finale:

• The top-performing teams from across the zones will compete at the National Grand Finale.
• Date: 1st March 2027.
• Venue: Pune.
• The finalists will present their entrepreneurial ideas before the final jury and compete for national-level recognition and rewards.

Updated Journey:

Registration → Zonal Development Labs → Advanced Mentoring → Zonal Pitching → National Grand Finale

Submission Requirements:

Participants are required to prepare a 1-page idea summary covering:

• Problem Statement with validation evidence.
• Proposed Solution and differentiation.
• Business Model & Revenue Structure.
• Team Roles & Expertise.

The idea should demonstrate a clearly identified problem and a solution with potential market applicability.

Evaluation Criteria:

Ideas and teams will be evaluated on:

• Problem Validation.
• Socio-Economic Target.
• Solution Differentiation.
• Market Opportunity.
• Feasibility & Execution Path.
• Business Model.
• Commercialization.
• Team Capability.
• Pitch Deck & Presentation.

These criteria assess both the strength of the idea and the team's ability to transform it into a viable venture.

Why Should You Participate in GenZpreneur?

• Solve Real-World Problems: Identify meaningful problems and develop innovative solutions around them.
• Build an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Think differently, validate your ideas, and gain exposure to entrepreneurship.
• Learn from Experts: Get access to mentors, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, startups, and investors.
• Showcase Your Startup Idea: Take your idea from the campus level to a national platform.
• Get National Recognition: Compete with innovative student entrepreneurs from across India.
• Strengthen Your College's Presence: Help your institution become part of the national entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.

Awards & Rewards:

Total Prize Pool: ₹12 Lakhs

National Level:

• 1st Prize: ₹2,50,000.
• 2nd Prize: ₹1,50,000.
• 3rd Prize: ₹1,00,000.

Zonal Level:

• 1st Prize: ₹1,00,000.
• 2nd Prize: ₹50,000.
• 3rd Prize: ₹25,000.

Programme Highlights:

• Expert Mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry veterans.
• Direct Investor Access and exposure to funding opportunities.
• Structured idea development and validation.
• Zonal pitching opportunities.
• National-level platform for student entrepreneurs.
• Opportunities to connect with startups, industry leaders, and entrepreneurial networks.