Empresario 2026 - Global Business Model Competition
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
Empresario 2026 - Global Business Model Competition: Stages and Timelines
Early Bird Registrations
For the Early Bird Registration of Empresario, startups are required to complete a brief questionnaire outlining their idea, team, and business model. Based on the responses submitted, our VC partners will evaluate and shortlist the most promising entries.
Regular Registrations
The ones who missed filling the questionnaire for the Early Bird Submissions can still participate in Empresario through the Regular Submissions.
Mentorship
Gain exclusive access to valuable mentorship and guidance from top venture capitalists and leading investors who will help you refine your idea, strengthen your business model, and accelerate your startup’s growth.
Extended Registrations
The ones who missed filling the questionnaire for the Regular Submissions can still participate in Empresario through the Extended Submissions. No mentorship will be provided for these participants.
Pitch Deck Submission
After mentoring, the teams have to submit their final business model in a prescribed format. The declaration of finalists marks the pinnacle of Empresario, where the spotlight shines on those who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication and commitment to achieving excellence.
Empresario Grand Finale!
The final shortlisted teams will present their final business model in front of the judging panel at the Empresario Grand Finale 2026.
All that you need to know about Empresario 2026 - Global Business Model Competition
Empresario is the flagship annual business model competition of the Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur. It’s a global hunt for groundbreaking ideas and ambitious entrepreneurs ready to make a real impact.
This platform offers participants:
- Expert mentorship from an exceptional pool of industry veterans and professionals.
- Opportunities to pitch in front of leading Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors, and industry leaders.
- Prizes worth over ₹1 crore – plus invaluable networking and exposure.
Competition Flow
- Initial Screening – Teams submit their business model for evaluation.
- Mentorship Phase – Selected teams receive guidance from industry experts to refine their ideas.
- Grand Finale – The top teams will present their pitches in Kolkata, February 2025.
Who Can Participate?
- Anyone (students, professionals, and entrepreneurs) from anywhere in the world.
- Individuals or teams (up to 6 members) can participate
- Open to early-stage startups, product or service concepts, and innovative ideas.
Important Rules
- A team may consist of a minimum of 1 or a maximum of 6 members.
- There is no restriction on any individual's participation. Anyone, from students to working professionals across the world with an idea, a product or service, or even an operating startup, can participate.
Terms & Conditions
- By registering to participate in Empresario, each participating team agrees to allow Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur, to use their names, images, and information regarding the team's business and prize information for publicity and marketing efforts throughout the world. Each participating team must agree to accept that their registration form and other entries will not be returned to them and that their personal data will be available for information and statistical purposes.
- The participating team represents that the Intellectual Property in the Business Plan does not infringe upon the intellectual property or any other legal or moral rights of any person or entity.
- Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur, reserves the right to disqualify or prohibit any team from participating in Empresario if their submission, in the sole discretion of Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur, does not conform to the Eligibility Criteria or fails to comply with these Terms & Conditions and/or the Competition Rules.
- By entering the competition, each individual agrees to accept as final any decisions made by The Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur, including the determination of the winners of Empresario.
- The Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kharagpur, shall have the discretion to initiate appropriate action against participating teams, including individuals of such participating teams, in case of any losses or damages arising from the violation of the eligibility criteria, competition rules, and terms and conditions.
Important dates & deadlines?
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5 Jan'26, 11:59 PM IST Registration Deadline
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7 Oct'25, 11:59 PM IST Early Bird Registration Deadline
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14 Dec'25, 11:59 PM IST Pitch Deck Submission
Contact the organisers
Send queries to organizersRewards and Prizes?
Prize Money worth of 1 Crore will be rewarded.
Total Prize Money
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Participation Certificate
About Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
- The first IIT was born in May 1950 in Hijli, Kharagpur, in the eastern part of India.
- This is possibly one of the very few Institutions of the world that started life in a prison house.
- Before the formal inauguration of the Institute on August 18, 1951, the present name 'Indian Institute of Technology' was adopted by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
- IIT Kharagpur, fondly referred to as IITKGP, has the largest campus among all IITs - at 2100 acres and as home to 20000 residents, it is a mini township. It is a two-hour drive from Kolkata airport, connected by National Highways and rail to Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai, with trains to and from Kolkata running throughout the day.
- IIT Kharagpur Motto: "Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam" which literally translates to "Excellence in action is Yoga". This implies that doing your work well is (true) yoga.