GITAM x Bower Innovation Challenge 2026 — India's premier national student venture challenge for school and college innovators building scalable, sustainable and resilient solutions.
6th edition · thousands of ideas from 29 states
About GIC 2026
India's premier national-level student venture challenge is back for its 6th edition. GIC 2026 empowers school and college innovators building scalable, sustainable, and resilient solutions for India's future. Building on six years of momentum and thousands of applications from across India, this year's edition brings:
₹50,00,000+
Cumulative Prize Pool & Ecosystem Value
2 Dedicated Tracks
Junior (School) & Main (College/Graduates)
Comprehensive Journey
Bootcamps, 1:1 Venture Coaching & National Grand Finale
More than a competition
GITAM x Bower Innovation Challenge is more than a pitch deck competition — it connects you directly with founders, early-stage investors, and dedicated venture coaches from day one, with access to inspiring sessions and valuable networks along the way.
New format
We're introducing in-person regional rounds for the Junior Track — enabling more students the chance to pitch face-to-face before the Grand Finale.
Junior Track
This is what sets GITAM x Bower Innovation Challenge apart, making it a unique and impactful experience for everyone involved. Join us in 2026, where your ideas can shape the future and create lasting impact.
Find your path
Choose the track that best fits your stage — whether you're a school student with a promising idea or a founder building the next big venture.
Junior Track
Total track value
₹1,00,000 cash
+ up to ₹16,00,000 in ecosystem value
Verification: A school ID or a principal's letter is needed at the shortlisting stage.
₹499per team
Register for JuniorMain Track
Total track value
₹4,90,000+ cash
+ up to ₹25,00,000 in ecosystem value
Verification: A student ID or bonafide letter is required at shortlisting.
₹699per team
Register for MainRegistration window
05 Aug 2026 — 31 Oct 2026Extended
GIC 2026
A national platform connecting student innovators, mentors, investors, institutions and the wider startup ecosystem.
GIC ecosystem
Collaborating with organisations that support innovation, entrepreneurship and student growth.
Our network
GIC 2026 journey
Important dates from registration to the Grand Finale.
Registration
05 August, 2026
Registration
31 October, 2026
Selection
31 October, 2026
Round 2
15–29 October, 2026
Main Track
40 teams
12 November, 2026
Junior Track
100 teams
1st week of November, 2026
Main Track
25–26 November, 2026
Junior Track
28 November, 2026
Grand Finale
11 December, 2026
GIC 2026
Explore the key areas of innovation shaping the GIC 2026 challenge. Select a theme to learn more.
GIC 2026 journey
A structured journey designed to help student innovators refine their ideas, receive expert guidance and progress towards the Grand Finale.
Submit your idea and pitch materials
GIC 2026
Recognising outstanding ideas, teams and innovators across the GIC 2026 journey.
School Innovators
₹50,000
cash prize
₹30,000
cash prize
₹20,000
cash prize
All Junior Track Finalists
Access to the LEAD Program, delivered by the Bower School of Entrepreneurship — a structured leadership and entrepreneurship curriculum for young innovators, valued at approximately ₹2,00,000 per team.
College & Graduate Innovators
₹2,00,000
cash prize
₹1,00,000
cash prize
₹50,000
cash prize
All GIC Finalists
A full year of 1:1 venture coaching from the GITAM VDC coach network, worth ₹2,00,000 per team — sustained, personalised mentorship long after the Grand Finale ends.
₹50,000
₹50,000
Special recognition
Sponsored by Balavikas, USA (via RKM Vizag)
Special recognition for engineering innovations that address real societal challenges.
GIC experience
Discover the people who have shaped the GITAM Innovation Challenge.
Prof. Greg Collier
Director of International Program, NUCEE
Prof Ravi Ramamurti
Professor of International Business & Director, Northeastern University
Sadhguru
Founder, Isha Foundation
Suresh Garg
CMD, Zeon Lifesciences
Sameer Desai
V.P Marketing & Operations, APAC
Prashant Warier
CEO, Qure.ai
Piyush Verma
Founder, Manush Labs
Raktim Chattopadhyay
Founder & CEO, Esperer
Bharath Kumar
Co-Founder, Zerocode
Malini Parmar
Co-Founder, Stonesoup.in
Muralidhar Nayak
Co-Founder & CIO, Paymatrix
Praveen Dorna
Pavan Kumar
Co-Founder, CEO
Gallery
Stages, speakers, students and a lot of ideas. Tap any photo to see it full size.
Watch
Keynotes, founder stories, testimonials and a concert night. This is what the room feels like — don't be the one who watches it later.
President Address - SmartIDEAthon 2022
Vice Chancellor Address - SmartIDEAthon 2022
Hygienity Solutions Pvt Ltd Testimonial
Fleetwings Testimonial
Fleetwings Testimonial II
Band Ranga performance at SmartIDEAthon 2022 Concert Night
Have questions?
Everything you need to know about GITAM X Bower Innovation Challenge 2026.
It is a national student innovation and pitching competition organised by the Venture Development Centre (VDC), GITAM, with Bower School of Entrepreneurship as the Title Sponsor. It gives young innovators a platform to present ideas, receive mentoring and venture coaching, improve pitches, and connect with the startup and innovation ecosystem.
The competition is organised by the Venture Development Centre (VDC), GITAM, with Bower School of Entrepreneurship as the Title Sponsor and support from ecosystem partners.
Junior Track: Students studying in Classes 10–12. Main Track: Current undergraduate students and eligible recent graduates. Students from recognised institutions across India can participate, subject to the eligibility requirements of the respective track.
No. Students from eligible schools and colleges across India can participate. You do not need to be a GITAM student.
Registration closes 31 Oct 2026. Questions? Write to gic@gitam.edu.
