Opportunity brief
About the Competition:
Thalir'26 is SRM Institute of Science and Technology's flagship startup pitching competition, conducted as part of Startup Summit 2.0. The event will be held on 7th September 2026, bringing together promising student innovators to present their startup ideas before an expert jury.
The competition is dedicated to deep-tech innovations that address real-world challenges while aligning with Government initiatives, Climate Action, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Startup ideas in domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, CleanTech, Biotechnology, and other emerging technologies are encouraged. However, proposals focused solely on Android applications or EdTech solutions will not be considered, ensuring a diverse range of innovative, scalable, and impactful ideas.
Note:
Registered teams must pay a participation fee of ₹500 to confirm their participation in the offline pitching event at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur.
Schedule:
- Offline Startup Pitch – Thalir'26: 7th September 2026 | 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM IST
- Teams will present their startup ideas before an expert jury panel. Entries will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, business potential, and overall impact.
- Valedictory & Award Ceremony: 9th September 2026
- Winners will be announced, followed by the distribution of awards.
Guidelines:
- Each team may consist of 1–3 members.
- Teams may include members from multidisciplinary backgrounds.
- The proposed startup must involve a deep-tech solution and should not be based solely on EdTech or Android applications.
- Participation in Thalir'26 is open to all.
- Shortlisted teams will receive a confirmation email regarding their selection.
- Selection for the offline pitching round will be based on the originality, feasibility, scalability, and impact of the submitted startup proposal.
Rules:
- Teams are expected to present a comprehensive startup proposal rather than just an idea.
- The proposal should include, but is not limited to, the Business Model, Market Analysis, Financial Plan, Strategic Plan, Operational Plan, Revenue Model, Go-to-Market Strategy, and Sales Pitch.
Disclaimer:
- Accommodation will not be provided for participants of Pravartan or Thalir'26 by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, or the Startup Summit organizing team under any circumstances.