Entrepreneurship today is no longer confined to classrooms or local markets. The best ideas emerge when young innovators, global perspectives, and industry mentorship converge on one platform.
That spirit came alive at Meraki 2026, the flagship B-Plan Competition hosted by Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi. The international edition of the competition brought together student founders from India and Canada, creating a dynamic stage where innovative ventures, disruptive technologies, and bold entrepreneurial thinking took center stage.
From AI-driven learning platforms to technology-enabled service innovations, the competition highlighted how emerging entrepreneurs are building solutions designed for scalability, efficiency, and real-world impact.
This year’s B-Plan Competition attracted 100+ registered teams, out of which 16 ventures were shortlisted for the final round, reflecting the high level of innovation and competitiveness among participants. With participants joining from multiple Indian states and international locations such as Ontario, Canada, Meraki continues to evolve as a globally relevant B-Plan Competition platform for aspiring founders.
Finalist Ventures at Meraki 2026
The shortlisted ventures reflected the diversity of ideas and industries represented in the competition—from fintech and health innovation to AI platforms and sustainability solutions.
| Venture | Institution |
|---|---|
| Bionexus | Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune |
| Bliscare | IIHMR, Jaipur |
| Enaryx | KCG College of Technology, Chennai |
| Impech Solutions | MIET, Uttar Pradesh |
| Newway | School of Applied Sciences & Technology |
| Nishant Capital | St. Stephen’s College |
| One Mincheckup | IIT Patna |
| Zeuron AI | IISc Bangalore & Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College |
| Earth & I | International Business University, Canada |
| Xerpa | International Business University, Canada |
| Optima Learn | FORE School of Management |
| Anthro | FIIB, New Delhi |
| Guide My MBA | FIIB, New Delhi |
| Eco Quench | FIIB, New Delhi |
The presence of international teams and interdisciplinary ventures reinforced the competition’s growing reputation as a global B-Plan Competition encouraging innovation across sectors.
Winners of Meraki 2026
After a highly competitive round of pitching, evaluation, and jury deliberation, three ventures emerged as the top innovators at Meraki 2026, FIIB’s international B-Plan Competition. These startups stood out for their problem clarity, scalability, and technology-driven solutions.
Winning Ventures at Meraki 2026
| Position | Venture | Institution | Problem They Are Solving | Solution Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Winner | Newway | School of Applied Sciences & Technology, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad | Everyday operational inefficiencies and fragmented service delivery systems that make routine tasks complex for users and businesses. | A technology-driven platform offering scalable smart solutions designed to simplify daily processes, improve convenience, and enhance operational efficiency. |
| 🥈 1st Runner Up | Enaryx | KCG College of Technology, Chennai | Businesses and industries struggle with inefficient operational processes and lack of integrated digital tools for productivity optimization. | An innovation-led platform integrating intelligent digital systems and advanced technology tools to streamline workflows and improve productivity. |
| 🥉 2nd Runner Up | Optima Learn | FORE School of Management, New Delhi | Competitive exam aspirants often face lack of personalized preparation strategies and actionable performance insights. | An AI-powered learning platform that offers personalized study plans, adaptive mock test analysis, and AI agents that guide students through efficient preparation. |
These ventures demonstrated how young founders are leveraging technology, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms to solve real-world challenges, reinforcing the role of B-Plan Competitions as launchpads for early-stage innovation.
Industry Jury that Powered the Competition
A key highlight of Meraki 2026 was the presence of an accomplished panel of industry leaders who evaluated the ventures and shared insights with participants.
The jury panel included:
- Kartik Mehta, VP Investments, WaterBridge Ventures
- Puru Vashishtha, Chairman, Wishfin
- Prashant Sood, Head – Organizational Affairs & Communication, Luthra Group
- Monce C. Abraham, Director, THEV
Their evaluation focused on innovation potential, market viability, scalability, and clarity of execution.
Insights from the Jury
The judges emphasized that platforms like Meraki B-Plan Competition play a critical role in nurturing the next generation of founders.
“What stood out in this year’s competition was the clarity with which students identified real-world problems and applied technology to solve them. Platforms like Meraki help transform ideas into scalable ventures.”
— Kartik Mehta, VP Investments, WaterBridge Ventures
“Entrepreneurship is about execution as much as innovation. The teams demonstrated impressive thinking, but what truly matters is how these ideas evolve into sustainable businesses.”
— Puru Vashishtha, Chairman, Wishfin
“It was encouraging to see participants thinking beyond conventional solutions and integrating technology and data into their models. That’s where the future of startups lies.”
— Prashant Sood, Luthra Group
“Competitions like this give young innovators the opportunity to test their ideas in a real-world environment and receive valuable industry feedback.”
— Monce C. Abraham, THEV
Their guidance and feedback helped participants refine their business models, sharpen their pitching skills, and better understand the dynamics of startup ecosystems.
The Growing Legacy of Meraki B-Plan Competition
Over the years, the Meraki B-Plan Competition has built a strong reputation as a launchpad for innovative student ventures. The competition has consistently attracted participants from India’s leading universities and institutes, helping students refine their ideas and transform them into viable startups.
More than just a competition, Meraki provides participants with an authentic entrepreneurial experience, allowing them to interact with mentors, investors, and peers who share the same passion for innovation and impact-driven entrepreneurship. By encouraging ventures aligned with emerging technologies, sustainability, and scalable business models, the competition has played a vital role in shaping the journeys of young founders.
Meraki by the Numbers
| Impact Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Years of Impact | 15+ Years of nurturing entrepreneurial talent |
| Ventures Recognised | 50+ Innovative ventures supported and celebrated |
| Fellowships Granted | ₹50+ Lakhs awarded to promising startups |
| Sustainability Focus | 11+ UNSDG-aligned business models evaluated |
Past Winning Teams of Meraki
| Year | Institution | Venture | Fellowship Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | IIT Delhi | Nirmalya | ₹25,000 |
| 2020 | FIIB New Delhi | iTantra | ₹1.5 Lakh |
| 2020 | IIT Kharagpur | WLoops | ₹50,000 |
| 2021 | Shri Ram College of Commerce | Team Aarogya | ₹75,000 |
| 2021 | IIT BHU | Team Happy Minds | ₹50,000 |
| 2021 | NMIMS | Team Surf A Turf | ₹50,000 |
| 2022 | Manipal Institute of Technology | AMIGO | ₹75,000 |
| 2022 | IIFT Delhi | FLABRR | ₹50,000 |
| 2022 | VIT Bhopal | KISAAN PRO | ₹25,000 |
| 2023 | Government College of Engineering Amravati | Ksham Innovation | ₹75,000 |
| 2023 | NSUT Delhi | Stimlite | ₹50,000 |
| 2023 | IIT Delhi | Svar | ₹25,000 |
| 2025 | IIT Hyderabad | Picapool | ₹1.5 Lakh |
| 2025 | Rajarambapu Institute of Technology | TGP Bioplast | ₹1.5 Lakh |
This consistent track record highlights how Meraki has evolved into a recognized B-Plan Competition that nurtures early-stage innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.
Why B-Plan Competitions Matter for Future Entrepreneurs
Competitions like Meraki play a critical role in shaping the next generation of founders by providing:
- Industry mentorship and expert feedback
- Exposure to investors and startup ecosystems
- Opportunities to validate business ideas
- A platform to refine pitching and strategy skills
For many student entrepreneurs, participating in a B-Plan Competition serves as the first step toward building a startup venture.
Powered by Innovation: The Role of CIET
The Meraki B-Plan Competition is organised by the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CIET) at Fortune Institute of International Business, New Delhi. CIET plays a pivotal role in building a vibrant ecosystem that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven problem solving among students and aspiring founders.
At its core, the center focuses on transforming ideas into impactful ventures by nurturing entrepreneurial thinking through ideation, design thinking, and social entrepreneurship frameworks. By providing mentorship, collaborative opportunities, and exposure to industry leaders, CIET empowers students to move beyond theoretical learning and develop solutions that address real-world challenges.
Through initiatives such as Meraki, CIET continues to create opportunities for young innovators to test their ideas, refine their business models, and engage with experts from the startup ecosystem.
Learn more about the center here:
🔗 Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology
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