Youth Udyami 2026: Fostering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

The Youth Udyami initiative is designed to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit among the youth,
equipping them to become self-reliant contributors to India’s economic development.
Through a structured program involving business planning, hands-on activities, and market
validation, participants will conceptualize and develop a functional startup model over the
coming months.

Selected candidates will benefit from mentorship provided by the esteemed IIM Bangalore
(IIMB) community and experienced industry professionals. This mentorship will offer valuable
insights into industry best practices, enabling participants to apply these learnings both during
the course of the project and in their future ventures.

The program will culminate on Prayaas Day, tentatively scheduled for February 2026, where
final presentations will be evaluated by a distinguished panel comprising IIMB faculty and
prominent industry leaders.

Topic: Passion to Profit

Participants are encouraged to explore the theme "Passion to Profit"—transforming what

Students should identify areas they are genuinely passionate about—whether it's sports,
travel, technology, arts, fashion, food, or any other interest—and think creatively about how
that passion can be developed into a profitable business idea. The goal is to align personal
interests with entrepreneurial thinking, innovation, and market viability.

For those who are passionate about social causes, the program also welcomes ideas in social
entrepreneurship. Participants are encouraged to build models that not only address societal
issues but also demonstrate self-sustainability and impact-driven profitability.

By turning passion into purpose and profit, students will gain a deeper understanding of
business fundamentals while staying true to what inspires them most. Participants are
required to identify a problem that they have personally experienced or observed in
Bangalore, or one that has been encountered by their friends or family members. Based on
this real-world issue, participants must propose a practical solution and formulate a
corresponding business idea. The business concept may be product-based or service-
oriented, aimed at addressing the identified challenge effectively.

Participation Criteria: The program is open to students currently enrolled in Classes 10, 11,
and 12 across all academic streams. Students may form teams comprising up to three
members.

A registration fee of ₹300 per team is applicable and must be paid at the time of registration.
This fee covers participation in all phases of the program, access to mentorship, and
certificates for all team members.
Each school may nominate up to a maximum of three teams. All teams will be evaluated
independently based on the strength of their submissions and performance throughout the
program.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided to all participants during on-campus events.
However, no travel reimbursements will be provided. Participants are expected to make their
own travel and accommodation arrangements, if required.

Overview and Timeline:

20th July 2025: As part of the application process, participants must complete the registration
and submit a one-pager outlining the identified problem and the proposed solution.
Shortlisting will be carried out based on the clarity and relevance of the problem and the
feasibility and impact of the proposed solution.

26th July 2025: Announcement of shortlisted teams (Top 50 teams tentatively)

03rd August 2025: Phase I - On-Campus Idea Pitching by Shortlisted Participants

In the first phase of the Youth Udyami program, the shortlisted participants will be invited to
the IIMB campus to present their business ideas before a panel. Each shortlisted team may
consist of a maximum of three students and one accompanying guardian. The guardian may
be either a teacher or a parent of one of the selected participants.

Participants will deliver a 3-minute elevator pitch, followed by a 2-minute Q&A session with
the judging panel. Teams are encouraged to present their ideas in a clear, concise, and
compelling manner, highlighting the problem, solution, and potential impact.

Results will be announced at the conclusion of the event. Top 20 teams (tentatively) will be
selected for Phase II and all participants will receive certificates of participation in recognition
of their effort and contribution.

October 2025 (Tentative): Mid-Term Review - Mentorship and Course Correction

Before entering Phase II, a mid-term review will be conducted to offer continued mentorship
and guidance to the selected teams. This session will ensure that students remain aligned
with the core objectives of the program and refine their ideas based on feedback and evolving
insights.

December 2025 (Tentative): Phase II - Business Model Development

The selected teams from Phase I will move forward to Phase II of the program. To participate
in this phase, teams are required to complete the following pre-event submissions:

• At least five customer interviews related to their problem identification, aimed at

In Phase II, selected teams will have the opportunity to present their solution in greater depth.
Each team will make a 7-minute detailed presentation, followed by a 3-minute Q&A session
with the jury. Presentations should cover key aspects such as problem validation, customer
insights, business model, scalability, and implementation roadmap.

Detailed timelines, formats, and submission guidelines will be shared with the selected teams
in advance.

February 2026 (Tentative): Phase III - Grand Finale on Prayaas Day

The final round of the Youth Udyami program—Phase III—will take place on Prayaas Day. The
top five teams from Phase II will present their polished and investor-ready business ideas to
a distinguished panel comprising IIMB professors and industry leaders.

This grand finale will showcase the most promising ideas of the cohort. One team will be
declared the winner and will receive exciting prizes, while the remaining finalists will be
awarded consolation prizes.