National-level competition invites students from Classes 9–12 to pitch innovative ideas, win cash prizes, and access mentorship and incubation opportunities
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, September 5, 2025: UPES, through its School of Business in collaboration with the Runway Incubator, has announced the launch of the Future Founders Challenge 2025, a national-level entrepreneurship competition designed to ignite innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among school students from Classes 9 to 12.
The initiative provides a unique platform for students to address real-world challenges, refine their ideas with expert mentorship, and present solutions on a national stage. Aligned with Startup India, NEP 2020, and the Atal Innovation Mission, the challenge reinforces UPES’s vision as a “University of Tomorrow” and its mission of being a “Start-up University.”
Participating schools can nominate teams of two to three students under unique team names, with multiple entries allowed per institution. The application window, open since August 14, 2025, will close on September 28, 2025. Shortlisted teams will be announced on October 1, followed by a series of online workshops scheduled for October 6, 11, and 15. Teams must submit their final pitch decks by October 27, with the finalists revealed on October 31. The grand finale will be held at the UPES campus in Dehradun, where the most promising ideas will be evaluated by an esteemed jury.
The competition carries attractive rewards, including a national champion’s cash prize of ₹1,00,000 and ₹50,000 for the runner-up. Zonal winners and runners-up across North, South, East, and West India will receive awards of ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 respectively. Beyond financial recognition, participants stand to benefit from mentorship, national-level visibility, and potential incubation opportunities via the UPES Runway Incubator.
Commenting on the initiative, Prof. Rahul Nainwal, Chief Executive Officer, Runway Incubator, and Senior Director & Head, School of Business, UPES, said: “At UPES, we believe entrepreneurship is not just about launching companies but about fostering a mindset of innovation, resilience, and problem-solving. The Future Founders Challenge is our way of empowering young minds to take bold steps toward shaping a better future.”
Over the years, the Runway Incubator has enabled its startups to raise over ₹20 crore in funding and has received significant institutional support, including ₹5 crore from DST for setting up an iTBI, ₹5 crore from NITI Aayog for an Atal Community Innovation Centre, ₹4.02 crore from BIRAC, and ₹2 crore from the Uttarakhand Government. Additional grants, including ₹2.5 crore from MeitY and CSR support from HDFC Bank, have cemented Runway’s role as a leading hub of entrepreneurship.
Ranked as India’s leading private university for academic reputation in the QS 2025 rankings, UPES continues to champion entrepreneurship and innovation by equipping the next generation with the skills, networks, and confidence to thrive in a dynamic global environment.
About UPES:
Established in 2003, UPES is a multidisciplinary university based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, recognised for its strong academic reputation and industry-aligned curriculum. With a focus on innovation, research, and entrepreneurship, UPES fosters a learning ecosystem that nurtures future-ready professionals. Its School of Business, in partnership with the Runway Incubator, has become a driving force in promoting start-up culture and empowering young innovators across India.
