New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has officially opened applications for the Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027, a national program designed to uncover technology-focused solutions for critical social issues. Serving as the knowledge partner for the competition, IIT Kanpur is collaborating with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue 2027 initiative. Registrations are being handled through the MY Bharat portal, with the final deadline for submissions set for October 22, 2026.
The initiative is structured to inspire young creators to build functional, scalable ideas that align with the broader goals of Viksit Bharat @2047. Eligible applicants include startup founders and working professionals between the ages of 18 and 35. Founders are required to hold a DPIIT-recognized startup or a registered MSME along with a market-ready solution tackling a social problem. Meanwhile, working professionals from the government, private sector, non-governmental organizations, or academic institutions must submit appropriate employment verification alongside a no-objection certificate from their employer.
Applicants may enter either as solo candidates or in teams of up to three members, provided everyone satisfies the age requirements. Submissions require a completed application on the MY Bharat portal accompanied by supporting documents, an idea summary, and a pitch deck. Eligible fields for innovation span healthcare, education, agriculture, the environment, women's empowerment, governance, accessibility, disaster management, and artificial intelligence, targeting specific hurdles like rural medical care, digital learning, clean energy, and smart farming.
Through its Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur will leverage its extensive entrepreneurial framework to spot high-potential concepts and guide participants toward viable implementations. National finalists will gain access to digital mentorship followed by in-person coaching at IIT Kanpur to polish their prototypes, business models, and presentation strategies. The competition will reach its climax at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue 2027, taking place from January 10 to 12, 2027, where finalists will present their projects to a national judging panel.
The preliminary registration period opened in September 2026, leading up to regional screenings through October and November. Online mentoring and prototype improvements are scheduled for November, with physical mentoring sessions at IIT Kanpur slated for December. The top five performing teams will secure cash rewards, with the first-place winner receiving Rs 1,50,000, the second place taking Rs 1,00,000, the third place earning Rs 75,000, the fourth place securing Rs 50,000, and the fifth place receiving Rs 30,000. Beyond monetary awards, participants gain national exposure, professional guidance, and networking pathways with investors and policymakers.