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Campus Fund

AWS IDFC First Bank Campus Fund

Grand Challenge  2025

Empowering India’s Student Innovators
6th Edition

India’s Biggest Stage for Student Startups

Launched in 2020, the AWS and Campus Fund Grand Challenge has become a nationwide platform celebrating India’s most promising student-led startups. In just five editions, the challenge has propelled 57 exceptional ventures into the spotlight—23 of which have collectively raised over $90 million (~₹750 crores) in follow-on funding, turning bold ideas into real impact.

Meet the Visionaries
Behind the Verdict

Industry pioneers, investors, and thought leaders who shaped the future by selecting the brightest student entrepreneurs.

Aditya Ghosh

Co-Founder

Akasa Air

2024

Akarsh Hebbar

Global MD

Vedanta Semiconductors & Display

2024

Amitabh Nagpal

Head of Startup Ecosystem

AWS, India

2024, 2023

Anjali Bansal

Founding Partner

Avaana Capital

2024, 2023, 2021

Anna T

Partner

Lattice Fund

2022

Arjun Bhartia

Director

Jubilant Group Companies

2024

Ashwini Tewari

Managing Director

SBI

2024, 2023, 2022

Bharat Shah

Co-Founder

HDFC Bank

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Dev Khare

Partner

Lightspeed, India

2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Gaurav Arora

Head of Startup Business

AWS, APAC

2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Gaurav Chaturvedi

Partner

Kae Capital

2020

Gina Chiang

Director

AWS, APJ

2023, 2022

Hiro Mashita

Director

M&S Partners

2023

Jalaj Dani

Co-Promoter

Asian Paints

2022

Kanwaljit Singh

Founder & Managing Partner

Fireside Ventures

2021

Karan Mohla

General Partner

B Capital Group

2023, 2021

Lakshmi Pattabi Raman

Director

Omidyar Network India

2023, 2022

Mekin Maheshwari

Founder / Ex-CPO

Udhyam / Flipkart

2023, 2022

Nupur Garg

Founder

WinPE

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Padmaja Ruparel

Founder

Indian Angel Network Fund

2022

Phanindra Sama

Founder / Venture Advisor

Redbus / Westbridge

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Raghunandan G

Founder

Zolve, TaxiForSure

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Ruchira Shukla

South Asia Head

IFC

2023

S Ramann

CMD

SIDBI

2023

Sairee Chahal

Founder

Sheroes, Mahila Money

2023, 2022

Sanjeev Bikhchandani

Co-Founder

Info Edge

2023

Sasha Mirchandani

Founder & Managing Director

Kae Capital

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Shailesh Haribhakti

Chairman

Haribhakti and Associates

2024

Siddharth Nautiyal

Partner

Omidyar Network India

2021

Soumya Rajan

Founder & CEO

Waterfield Advisors

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Sriharsha Majety

Co-Founder & CEO

Swiggy

2022, 2021, 2020

Suraj Saharan

Co-Founder

Delhivery

2023, 2022

Thomas Hyland

Co-Founder & CEO

Aspada

2020

Ullas Kamath

Chair

Karnataka State Council

2024, 2023, 2022

Varun Alagh

Co-Founder & CEO

Mamaearth

2023

Vidit Aatrey

Founder & CEO

Meesho

2020

Vinita Bali

Ex-Managing Director & CEO

Britannia Industries Limited

2024

Yatin Shah

Co-Founder & Joint CEO

360One (IIFL Wealth)

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

AWS Campus Fund Grand Challenge 2024

Watch the AWS Campus Fund Grand Challenge 2024 full event, where 12 innovative student-led startups stepped into the spotlight. From rapid-fire pitches to inspiring journeys, this finale captures the vision, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit driving the next generation of tech founders.

Key Dates & Timeline

Mark your calendars and gear up for an exciting journey through one of India’s most prestigious student startup competitions.
Here are the key milestones to keep in mind:

Application Deadline – September 30, 2025

Submit your startup application by this date to enter the race for national recognition, funding opportunities, and mentorship from top industry leaders.

After a thorough evaluation, top 15 startups from all the applicants will be shortlisted to pitch in front of the grand jury on the Grand Finale.

The final showdown! The top 15 startups will pitch live in front of an elite jury of investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem leaders. Winners will be crowned and rewarded, marking the beginning of their next big leap.

Are You Eligible to Apply?

We’re looking for ambitious student founders ready to build the next big thing. To be eligible for the Grand Challenge, you must meet the following criteria:

You’re enrolled in a university or college — whether you're pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs — and actively building a startup alongside your academics.

You’ve graduated or stepped out of campus life in 2022 or later, and are now fully committed to your startup journey.

You’re not just a part of the founding team — you’re leading it. You must hold a minimum of 25% equity in the company you’re building.

Celebrating Innovation,
Year After Year

A look at the standout student startups from 2020 to 2024 that turned ideas into impact.

Celebrating the Champions

A tribute to the remarkable winners from past years whose innovations, dedication, and impact continue to inspire the
next generation of change-makers.

NOVYTE Materials logo

Institute of Chemical Technology

casma logo

Delhi University

company logo

IIT Bombay

paradyes logo

Univ. of Arts London

perkant tech logo

Symbiosis and IET

gud gum logo

Christ University

li circle logo

Dayanand Sagar

nyus logo

GCEC, Jaipur

q zense labs logo

NCBS (TIFR)

company logo

IIT Kharagpur

digantara logo

LPU and RV CoE

Empowering the Visionaries

Celebrating our valued partners whose unwavering support, expertise, and collaboration helped turn bold ideas into impactful realities.

Nasscom logo
360 one logo
asia tech journal logo
bhuta shah & co llp logo
big basket logo
campus angel network logo
the chennai angles logo
deshpande startups logo
dhandho logo
emb global logo
foundership logo
hdfc bank logo
harappa logo
i hub logo
i ventures ISB
KERALA STARTUP MISSION
lets venture logo
maharashtra state innovation socity logo
madhya pradesh startup center logo
micelio logo
nsr cel logo
emidyar network india logo
picxele logo
pilani innovation logo
sidbi logo
snackfax
start in up logo
startup karnataka
startup odisha logo
startup tn logo
t hub logo
tie university logo
trica captila logo
wadhwani logo
inpe connect network