Opportunity brief

About the Startup Pitch

FOUNDERA – PROJECT-Q Startup Pitch 2026 is an entrepreneurship and venture presentation challenge conducted as part of PROJECT-Q – Virtual Lab Ceremony, providing aspiring entrepreneurs, students, innovators, and early-stage founders with a platform to present technology-driven business ideas, products, services, and emerging ventures.

The event provides participants with an opportunity to articulate a problem or market need, proposed solution, target users or customers, value proposition, business model, competitive differentiation, implementation strategy, and future growth potential.

Participants may present ventures at different stages of development, ranging from early concepts and prototypes to minimum viable products (MVPs) and ventures with initial customer validation or revenue. FOUNDERA emphasizes clarity of the problem, relevance of the solution, market understanding, feasibility, scalability, innovation, and effective communication.

Theme

Think. Pitch. Build.

Participants are encouraged to identify meaningful problems and present viable technology-driven venture concepts capable of addressing clearly defined user or market needs.

Pitches may explore opportunities across Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, and Climate Technology, with emphasis on the problem being addressed, proposed solution, target market, business model, feasibility, differentiation, and future potential.

Interdisciplinary ventures that appropriately combine multiple domains are also encouraged.

Domains

Participants may present ventures in one or more of the following domains:

Quantum Computing

Venture concepts may explore:

Quantum computing applications
Quantum software and platforms
Quantum algorithms and solutions
Quantum education and accessibility
Industry-specific quantum applications
Quantum-enabled products and services

Cybersecurity

Venture concepts may address:

Cybersecurity products and services
Secure digital infrastructure
Threat detection and prevention
Privacy and data protection
Identity and access security
Cybersecurity awareness and technology solutions

Climate Technology

Venture concepts may address climate and environmental challenges through technology, including:

Renewable and clean energy
Energy efficiency and optimization
Environmental monitoring
Sustainable resource management
Waste reduction and circular solutions
Climate adaptation and resilience
Technology-enabled environmental sustainability

Participants may focus on a single domain or combine multiple domains where relevant.

What Participants Should Present

Participants should be prepared to communicate the following aspects of their venture:

Problem / Market Need
Proposed Solution
Target Customers or Users
Value Proposition
Business Model
Market Opportunity
Competitive Differentiation
Implementation Strategy
Current Development Stage
Growth and Scalability Potential

Participants should present information that accurately reflects the actual stage and status of their venture.

Event Flow

1. Venture Concept & Registration

Participants provide information about their venture, proposed solution, domain, target users, and current stage of development.

2. Pitch Preparation

Participants structure their presentation around the problem, solution, market, business model, competitive positioning, implementation strategy, and growth potential.

3. Startup Pitch

Teams present their venture to the evaluation panel according to the prescribed presentation format and time.

4. Q&A

The evaluation panel may ask questions regarding the problem, solution, market opportunity, business model, feasibility, competition, technology, and future development.

5. Final Evaluation

Pitches are evaluated according to the defined evaluation criteria, considering the quality of the venture concept and the participant's ability to communicate its potential effectively.

Evaluation Criteria

Pitches may be evaluated on:

Problem & Market Need
Solution Quality
Innovation & Differentiation
Market Opportunity
Business Model
Feasibility
Scalability & Growth Potential
Competitive Advantage
Technical or Product Understanding
Presentation & Communication

The evaluation will consider both the substance of the venture and the clarity with which participants communicate their business and technology proposition.

Guidelines

Registration Fee: ₹799 per team
Team Size: 1–4 participants
Each participant may be a member of only one team.
Teams may comprise participants from multidisciplinary academic, technical, or entrepreneurial backgrounds.
Ventures should align with at least one of the specified domains.
Participants may present ventures at different stages, including Idea / Concept, Prototype / MVP, Early Customer Validation, Revenue Generating, or Scaling / Growth.
Participants should accurately represent the current stage of their venture.
All submitted concepts, presentations, and supporting materials must be original.
Plagiarism, unauthorized copying, or misrepresentation of another venture or business concept may result in disqualification.
Participants should provide accurate information regarding their product, market, business model, traction, and development stage.
Teams must comply with the prescribed pitch format, schedule, and instructions issued by the organizing committee.
Participants should be prepared to respond to questions from the evaluation panel.
The decision of the evaluation panel and organizing committee shall be final.

Event Details

Event: FOUNDERA – PROJECT-Q Startup Pitch 2026

Date: 10 October 2026

Mode: Offline / On-campus

Venue: PSCMR College of Engineering & Technology, Vijayawada

Team Size: 1–4 participants Registration Fee: ₹799 per team

About PROJECT-Q

PROJECT-Q – Virtual Lab Ceremony is an initiative designed to promote learning, experimentation, innovation, and technology development through a series of academic and innovation-oriented activities.

The initiative brings together KRIYOVA – 24-Hours Hackathon, INOVENTA – Project Expo, THINKVORA – Ideathon, FOUNDERA – Startup Pitch, and Quantum Computing Workshop, providing participants with opportunities to explore emerging technologies, develop solutions, present projects, formulate ideas, explore entrepreneurial possibilities, and gain exposure to contemporary technology domains.

PROJECT-Q aims to provide a structured platform where participants can progress from learning and exploration to experimentation, development, and demonstration.

PROJECT-Q Website

For complete information about PROJECT-Q – Virtual Lab Ceremony, event details, participation opportunities, and updates, visit:

PROJECT-Q Official Website:

Click here

PROJECT-Q Virtual Labs Community

Participants are invited to join the PROJECT-Q Virtual Labs Community to stay connected, receive relevant updates, and engage with other participants and technology enthusiasts.

Join the PROJECT-Q Virtual Labs Community:

Click here

Join FOUNDERA

FOUNDERA – PROJECT-Q Startup Pitch 2026 provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures to communicate their problem, solution, market opportunity, business model, and vision for growth.

Bring your venture, product concept, prototype, MVP, or early-stage business and present your proposition to an audience of peers and evaluators.