Applications close on 10 October 2026. The AWS × IDFC × Campus Fund Grand Challenge 2026 — now in its 7th edition — is open for entries, and it remains one of the most founder-credible student startup competitions in India.
Hosted by Campus Fund, the challenge is built for student founders: it helps them get noticed, meet investors and grow their ventures. The track record is unusually concrete for a student competition — since 2020 it has supported over 70 startups, with 25+ funded and alumni raising over ₹90 million after the challenge. Those are not vanity metrics; they are follow-on cheques.
Eligibility is broad by design: current students, dropouts, and graduates from 2023 onwards holding at least 25% equity can apply, and applying is free. The top 15 finalists pitch live at the Grand Finale in Mumbai — a stage that has historically converted directly into investor conversations.
For student founders, the economics of this competition are hard to beat: zero entry cost, a national shortlist, a live Mumbai finale and an alumni network with real funding outcomes. The backing of AWS and IDFC also signals the kind of institutional seriousness that makes a student startup legible to later-stage investors.
The deadline is days away. Student founders with a working venture — or even a strong MVP — should apply before 10 October 2026.
Why it matters for founders
Student startups die in the gap between a good college project and a fundable company. This challenge exists to close exactly that gap — 25+ funded alumni prove it works. If you're a student founder with real equity and real ambition, the 10 October deadline is one of the highest-ROI applications you'll file this year.