Elevator 2026: The Idea Expo

Elevator 2026: The Idea Expo, a business plan event hosted by the Entrepreneurship Development Cell and Incubation Centre of St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, exclusively for college students all around India. The event offers students an excellent opportunity to develop and present their entrepreneurial ideas, providing them with a platform to hone their skills in business strategy and innovation. The competition is designed to stimulate the real startup journey: from ideation to facing crisis and pitching before a jury. Guidelines: Registration: Via Unstop Participation: Open to Colleges students Team Size: Individual participation and teams of up to 3 members are allowed. Inter-stream teams: Allowed (Students from different academic backgrounds can collaborate) College Participation: No limit on the number of teams from each college. Competition Format: The event will consist of four rounds, each progressively testing entrepreneurial and analytical skills. Round-wise Details: Round 1 – Quiz | 10th–11th October The first round will put participants’ entrepreneurial thinking to the test through a dynamic business quiz. The round will test their analytical thinking, adaptability, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Round 2 – Pitch Deck Submission | 15th–18th October The qualifying teams will transform their entrepreneurial vision into a compelling business proposition through a pitch deck. This round will test their ability to structure ideas, demonstrate strategic thinking, and communicate their venture with clarity and impact. Round 3 – The Execution | 21st–23rd October Teams will now be challenged to take their entrepreneurial vision beyond the idea stage and focus on execution. Working within defined constraints, participants will develop a strategic approach to bringing their vision to life. This round will test their resourcefulness, creativity, strategic planning, and ability to turn ideas into actionable strategies. Round 4 – Final Pitch | 24th October The competition will culminate in the final pitch, where teams will present their business ideas to an esteemed panel of judges. Participants will bring together the strategy and vision developed throughout the competition, with presentations evaluated on the strength and feasibility of the idea, innovation, strategic approach, and effectiveness of the pitch. Rules: Teams must adhere strictly to submission deadlines for each round. All submitted ideas must be original; plagiarism or pre-existing startup ideas under funding consideration will lead to disqualification. A participant cannot be part of more than one team. The organizing committee reserves the right to modify event timelines or formats in case of unforeseen circumstances. Decisions made by the judges and organizing committee will be final and binding. Any form of misrepresentation of rule violation will result in immediate disqualification. Additional Details: Mode: Online Problem Statement: Not pre-defined, participants are free to choose their domain and idea theme. Certification: Participation and Merit Certificates for all qualifying teams. Rewards: Mentorship and cash grants upto ₹20,000.