The Best Start-Up Fests and Entrepreneurial Expos at Indian Colleges
In recent years, the entrepreneurial landscape in India has undergone a transformation, with a growing number of young, innovative minds eager to build the next big start-up. The country's top universities and colleges are playing a crucial role in nurturing this entrepreneurial spirit, providing platforms where students can explore their business ideas, connect with industry leaders, and collaborate with like-minded individuals. One such platform is start-up fests and entrepreneurial expos that are increasingly becoming a key feature of college festivals across India.
These events are not just about showcasing new business ideas; they also serve as incubators for creativity, innovation, and business acumen, equipping students with the tools they need to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best start-up fests and entrepreneurial expos organized by top Indian colleges. These events are not only a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs but also a perfect avenue for networking, learning, and growth in the world of business.
1. E-Summit: IIT Bombay
E-Summit, organized by the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) at IIT Bombay, is one of the largest and most prestigious start-up fests in India. Known for its high-profile speakers, competitive events, and industry connections, E-Summit attracts thousands of students, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the country. The event spans several days, during which participants can engage in a variety of activities such as workshops, start-up pitches, business plan competitions, and panel discussions featuring industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.
One of the major highlights of the event is the Entrepreneurship Awards, where outstanding student entrepreneurs are recognized for their innovative ventures. In addition, the E-Summit Start-Up Expo provides an excellent platform for start-ups to showcase their products and services, gain visibility, and network with potential investors and partners.
The event also features various competitions like Idea-o-meter, a competition for the best business idea, and Elevator Pitch, where participants have just a few minutes to pitch their start-up ideas to a panel of experts. The Start-Up Fair is another highlight, bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs and established start-ups, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
2. Pragyan Start-Up Expo: NIT Trichy
Pragyan, the annual tech and management fest of NIT Trichy, is another prominent event that has garnered a lot of attention for its start-up and entrepreneurial focus. As part of its diverse offerings, Pragyan includes a dedicated Start-Up Expo that showcases the most innovative start-ups from across India. This expo is designed to provide a platform for students to connect with mentors, investors, and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
During the event, budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their ideas, receive feedback, and gain valuable exposure to the challenges and rewards of building a start-up. The Pragyan Start-Up Challenge, one of the major competitions, provides participants with a chance to win cash prizes, mentorship, and funding opportunities. The event also features several workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from venture capital and business strategy to scaling start-ups and leadership in entrepreneurship.
The highlight of Pragyan’s start-up expo is the Networking Lounge, where students, entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors can interact informally, share ideas, and form collaborations that could lead to successful business ventures in the future.
3. E-Summit: IIT Delhi
Another prestigious event on the entrepreneurial scene is E-Summit at IIT Delhi, organized by the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell). As one of the leading start-up fests in the country, the IIT Delhi E-Summit brings together an array of influential entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry experts to offer insights, advice, and mentorship to aspiring business owners.
The E-Summit at IIT Delhi is known for its high-profile speaker lineup, which includes entrepreneurs who have achieved remarkable success in diverse fields, as well as seasoned investors who offer valuable insights into raising funds and scaling up businesses. The event’s highlight is the Start-Up Showcase, where start-ups can present their business models, showcase their innovations, and even secure investments or partnerships.
Competitions like The Pitch Fest, Business Model Competition, and Start-Up Hackathon allow students to test their entrepreneurial skills, present their ideas to experts, and win cash prizes and incubation support. Additionally, the Workshops conducted during the summit provide students with hands-on experience in areas like digital marketing, fundraising, brand building, and business management.
4. The Entrepreneurship Summit: IIM Bangalore
The Entrepreneurship Summit at IIM Bangalore is another premier event that stands out for its comprehensive approach to fostering entrepreneurship. This summit is organized by the Nurture India Program and features several activities aimed at helping young entrepreneurs transform their ideas into viable businesses. The summit attracts entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from across the globe, offering a rich platform for networking, collaboration, and learning.
The summit includes various sessions on start-up funding, product development, business development, and scaling strategies. IIM Bangalore is known for bringing together successful entrepreneurs who share their insights on topics like sustainable entrepreneurship, growth hacking, and global expansion.
One of the key features of this summit is the Venture Challenge, where start-ups get an opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of investors, receive feedback, and potentially secure funding. This is complemented by the Start-Up Expo, where young businesses can interact with other entrepreneurs, showcase their products, and gain the necessary exposure to grow their ventures.
5. E-Cell National Entrepreneurship Fest: IIT Kanpur
IIT Kanpur’s E-Cell National Entrepreneurship Fest is another prominent event dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship. The fest is known for its focus on start-up incubation, mentorship, and investment opportunities. Throughout the event, students are exposed to a wide range of entrepreneurial activities, including pitching competitions, mentorship sessions, and workshops on key entrepreneurial skills like leadership, innovation, and fundraising.
One of the key highlights of the fest is the E-Cell Start-Up Expo, where students from various colleges can showcase their start-ups, interact with potential investors, and find collaborators who can help turn their ideas into successful businesses. The festival also organizes various competitions such as Business Plan Competitions and Start-Up Pitching contests, where participants can showcase their business plans and pitch them to industry experts, with the opportunity to win significant rewards, mentorship, and financial backing.
6. Business Conclave: IIM Calcutta
The Business Conclave at IIM Calcutta is one of the most anticipated events in the Indian entrepreneurial calendar. Held annually by the Entrepreneurship Cell at IIM Calcutta, the Business Conclave attracts young entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, industry leaders, and students who aspire to build their own start-ups. The event includes several entrepreneurial expos, where start-ups can exhibit their products and connect with investors and mentors.
In addition to the expo, the Business Conclave features an impressive lineup of workshops and panel discussions on diverse topics related to entrepreneurship, such as innovation, disruptive business models, venture capital funding, and scaling start-ups. The highlight of the event is the Start-Up Pitching Competition, where the most promising start-ups compete for funding, recognition, and exposure.
7. Conclave 2025: XLRI Jamshedpur
XLRI Jamshedpur’s Conclave 2025 is an event that brings together budding entrepreneurs, established business leaders, and venture capitalists for a series of thought-provoking sessions and pitching opportunities. The event provides students with the platform to connect with industry experts, participate in startup challenges, and gain insights into the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Start-Up Expo is a core feature of this event, where participants can showcase their business models and innovations to a large audience of investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs. The event also features competitions like Best Business Plan and Innovative Start-Up Idea, allowing students to compete and win exciting rewards.
Conclusion
Start-up fests and entrepreneurial expos hosted by Indian colleges play a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurship among students. These events provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the platform to present their ideas, gain feedback from industry experts, and secure funding opportunities that can help turn their dreams into reality. Whether it is IIT Bombay’s E-Summit, IIT Delhi’s E-Summit, or IIM Bangalore’s Entrepreneurship Summit, these events are not only about innovation and creativity but also about learning key business skills and networking with experts in the field. As India continues to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs, college start-up fests will remain a vital tool in helping students navigate the entrepreneurial journey successfully.