Startupreneurs right out of/in college? Participate in AWS Grand Challenge via StartUp India

The first edition of Grand Challenge (GC), launched by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Campus Fund (CF) is India's very own Dorm Room Fund. AWS has instituted this GC to promote and build the necessary ecosystem for Student Entrepreneurship in India. Its objective is to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India, such that starting a company becomes an attractive and achievable path for enterprising Indian students; aligning with the National Education Policy 2020, Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Startup India, and Make in India initiatives of the Government of India.

Eligibility Criteria

At least one founder should be a current student (any degree - undergrad, Masters or PhD); or dropped out/graduated less than 3 years ago. Additionally, if you have graduated in 2017, you are not eligible. Further, the founder(s) who meet the above criteria, should have at least 25% equity stake in the startup.

The student-led startups applying to this Challenge should operate in any of the following sectors;

FinTech, EdTech, Mobility/AutoTech, AgriTech/CleanTech, Mental Wellness or Robotics.

Participate here.

Contest process

Applications for the programme close on October 12, 2020, following which there will be three elimination rounds. Startups in the first shortlist will get a chance to participate in a 15-minute elevator pitch with the Campus Fund team. Based on this, the jury will decide a second shortlist.

The selected startups will then get a mentor, who will understand the startup in greater detail and provide feedback and guidance. Startups on the final shortlist will get to pitch at Demo Day, wherein the jury will select one winner across each of the six sectors and one overall winner of the Grand Challenge 2020.

Contest Prize

As part of the challenge, winners will have access to the AWS Activate program. It will provide resources, mentorship, and promotional credit support to help founders build and scale a business quickly. Winners in each category will receive one-on-one mentoring on AWS Cloud technical architecture best practices from AWS Solutions Architects.

All six category winners and the overall winner will be fast-tracked to pitch to the Investment Committee of Campus Fund. The schedule for this, is December 11 and 12, for an investment of up to Rs 50 lakh. Additionally, the top 60 startups from the first shortlist will be mentored by members of the AWS Super Angels programme. The programme brings together the country’s leading angel investors.

Students applying for the Grand Challenge can also apply for AWS Educate programme benefits through their college email ids. AWS Educate is Amazon’s global initiative to provide students and educators with resources for building skills in cloud technology.