Conquest, BITS Pilani’s International Startup Challenge, is back with its thirteenth edition. India’s largest student-run start-up challenge, Conquest is widely known to be the perfect launchpad for emerging start-ups.
The international startup conclave organised by the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) of BITS Pilani, opened registrations on March 15th this year and is set to announce the Top 50 finalists this week. One-on-one mentoring sessions with industry leaders, investing and fundraising opportunities, networking sessions with corporate moguls, equity-less funding and resources worth USD 1 million- there is a lot that Conquest offers.
With last year’s resplendent success, Conquest is set to repeat history this year too. Conquest 2016 received over 1200 applications from start-ups all across Asia, three resplendent mentoring sessions in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and numerous investor connect opportunities. The Grand Finale was a star-studded affair held at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. The event witnessed attendance from the likes of R Chandrashekhar, President of NASSCOM, Rohit Bansal, COO at Snapdeal, Bhawna Agarwal, CEO at NDTV Gadgets, Samay Kohli, CEO at Grey Orange Robotics, Swati Bhargava, CEO at CashKaro, and many more.
A great opportunity for youngsters to engage and learn new things, Conquest 2017 seeks to help entrepreneurs from Tier II and Tier III cities providing them a chance to compete with ventures across the globe. This year, Conquest also eyes startups overseas, gearing up to help them with its vast inventory of resources and opportunities.
Gamezop, a runners up at Conquest 2015, raised a funding of USD 350,000, and the founders were featured in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2016. Social Cops, a Conquest 2013 participant, was among the 35 start-ups from India selected for the first India-U.S. Startup Konnect at Silicon Valley. Other notable startups Conquest has produced include iTraveller, PosterGully, GharPay (Acquired by Delhivery), Social Cops, Voonik and Project Mudra – winners of Conquest 2017. Aman Srivastava, COO of Project Mudra, said, “Winning Conquest was an exhilarating experience. Right from the mentoring sessions to the star-studded jury in the finale. It’s not just a B-plan competition but a rewarding journey!”
The Conquest Jury comprises esteemed entrepreneurs and investors who will screen the applications based on various parameters. The semi-finalists will be offered to choose their own mentors and will receive personalized mentoring across five major cities in India. Finally, a networking lunch with prestigious industrialists and a pitching opportunity to the biggest VC firms in India would commemorate the Grand Finale.
From funding and networking, to potential teammates and users; countless opportunities await those at Conquest 2017. Whether it is an idea at the back of your mind or a product envisioned to disrupt an industry, it’s time to get moving. This could be your chance to create history in the startup world with your idea.
To get a glimpse of what is in store for you in Conquest 2017, check out the Conquest 2017 website or follow their updates on Facebook & Twitter,
Bloggers who are interested to attend can write to bavity@blogadda.com