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Pitch competition · Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Tata Social Enterprise Challenge

A national business-plan challenge for early-stage social enterprises run by IIM Calcutta and Tata Sons. Cash rewards of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and finalists can pitch for seed funding of up to ₹1 crore.

Closed Run by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and Tata Sons

Visit the programme's site

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published Cash rewards of up to ₹10 lakh for the winner and the first and second runners-up; finalists can pitch for seed funding of up to ₹1 crore, subject to investment criteria and due diligence. In the 13th edition the winner received ₹5 lakh and the seed fund winner ₹25 lakh
Instrument
Prize
Equity taken
not published
Programme fee
not published
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
not published
Stages
Idea, pre-seed, seed
Sectors
Social impact
Open to founders from
Anywhere
Perks
  • Grand finale teams can apply for incubation at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park
  • Knowledge sessions, mentoring and pilot or market connections for teams shortlisted for the final

Five stages: an impact proposal, regional pitching rounds for the top 100, an international round, a seed round and the grand finale for the top 20. The contest page describes eligible ventures as not older than three years, while the 2026 eligibility list says five years.

Application dates

Closed2026 (14th edition)

Usual timing: Applications for the 2026 edition closed on 10 September 2026 and the top 100 list was published in October; the dates of the pre-qualifier round and the grand finale were still to be announced on 19 October 2026.

Who can apply

  • Social ventures aimed at creating social impact in India; applicants of any nationality may apply
  • An idea needs a proof of concept such as a prototype; a venture must not have existed for more than five years
  • Teams are represented by at most two members; no age or background restriction
  • Semi-finalists of the previous year are not eligible; international entries cannot pitch for seed funding or incubation
  • Stage: idea, pre-seed, seed

Companies it names as alumni

DeHaat, Phool, Onganic Foods, ERC Eye Care

What founders should check

  1. The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It does not say whether it runs in person or remotely. Ask before you plan a move.
  4. The last window we track closed on 10 September 2026. Applications for the 2026 edition closed on 10 September 2026 and the top 100 list was published in October; the dates of the pre-qualifier round and the grand finale were still to be announced on 19 October 2026.

Similar pitch competitions

Other pitch competitions that share a sector with Tata Social Enterprise Challenge or run in India.

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Funding not published · equity not published

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Pitch competition · India

Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge (India)

A national challenge for youth-led social enterprises run by UNDP and Atal Innovation Mission. Up to 50 startups join a virtual programme, 20 attend a bootcamp at T-Hub and the top six win seed grants of ₹2.2 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh.

Funding not published · equity-free

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Pitch competition · Berkeley, United States

Big Ideas Contest

UC Berkeley's year-long contest for student-led social impact projects. Teams send a short pre-proposal in the fall and a full proposal in the spring; winners receive US$2,000 to US$20,000.

Funding not published · equity not published

Open · closes 2 Dec 2026

Pitch competition · Meyrin, Switzerland

Cartier Women's Initiative

An annual award and fellowship for women-run impact businesses from any country. Regional winners receive grants of up to US$100,000 and join a year-long fellowship programme.

US$100k grant · equity not published

Closed

Pitch competition · Cambridge, United States

EF Hult Prize

A year-long student startup competition for for-profit ventures that support at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal. One finalist team wins US$1M in seed investment.

US$1m invested · equity not published

Open · closes 28 Feb 2027

Pitch competition · Cambridge, United States

MIT Solve Global Challenges

MIT Solve's open innovation challenges for tech-based solutions in climate, health, learning and economic prosperity. Selected Solver teams join a nine-month programme and share more than US$1M in prize funding.

Funding not published · equity not published

Open · closes 6 Nov 2026

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