A serious idea deserves a serious platform
Meraki 2026 is FIIB New Delhi’s flagship international business plan competition and venture-building platform, organised by the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (CIET). Designed for founders, innovators, and professionals serious about execution, Meraki goes beyond pitch presentations to test ideas under real business conditions.
Now in its 16th edition, Meraki evaluates ventures on business clarity, market understanding execution readiness, and scalability —offering structured mentorship, investor feedback, and ecosystem access to help ideas mature into credible businesses. From early- stage concepts to ventures ready to scale, participants work closely with industry experts and evaluators who challenge assumptions, refine business models, and assess real-world feasibility.
Unlike traditional B-Plan competitions, Meraki rewards preparedness—balancing commercial viability with sustainability and responsibility-helping ventures move decisively from pitch to progress.
Highlights that Defined Meraki 2025!
Meraki at a Glance
Since its inception in 2012, Meraki has helped thousands of entrepreneurs provide an authentic entrepreneurial experience by providing a platform to pitch their innovative business ideas to industry experts, receive feedback on their ideas, join a community of like-minded students, and pave the way to excellence in their startup journey.
15+
Years of Impact
50+
Ventures Recognised
₹50+
Lakh in Fellowships Granted
11+
UNSDG-Aligned Business Models Evaluated
What Meraki Delivers
End-to-End Mentorship
Work with domain experts through structured mentorship before and after the pitch— strengthening business models, and supporting execution and scale.
Global Exposure
Connect with a diverse community of impact-focused participants, investors, sustainability thought leaders, and changemakers from multiple regions and industries.
Significant Prize Pool
Compete for a total prize pool of ₹6,00,000 awarded across six prize winners, along with long-term visibility, recognition, and access to the FIIB entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Dual-Impact Focus
Build ventures that deliver financial returns alongside measurable social and environmental impact, aligned with global sustainability imperatives.
Competition Tracks
Track 1: The Inclusive Innovation Track
Track 1 (Inclusive Innovation) is open to women entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, LGBTQAI+ founders, and founders from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as startups building solutions that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, gender equality, accessibility, or barrier reduction. Eligibility is defined by either founder identity or inclusive impact, with a focus on innovations that expand access, opportunity, and participation.
Founder Eligibility
- ● Woman entrepreneur
- ● Person with disability
- ● LGBTQAI+ founder
- ● Founder from an underrepresented background
- ● Startups focused on DEI, accessibility, or inclusion
- ● Solutions reducing barriers for underrepresented groups
Track 2: The Open Innovation Track
Track 2 (Open Innovation) is open to startups working on solutions aligned with one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Founders from any background, discipline, or team composition are welcome. Selection is based on the idea, execution capability, and real-world impact of the innovation.
Founder Eligibility
- ● Any founder
- ● Any background
- ● Any team composition
-
● SDG-aligned solutions
Prize Money
Winner
1st Runner up
2nd runner up
Participation Fee
₹2,500 | $28
Group Discounts Available !
Who Can Apply
Meraki is open to participants worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria (Applicable to Both Tracks)
Teams of 1–5 members
At least one student member
(currently enrolled or pursuing a degree)
Early-stage ideas to young ventures seeking validation or growth
Clear revenue potential and scalability
Credible, defensible business models attractive to investors
How We Choose
Not about ideas alone. About readiness to build.
Meraki’s selection process is designed to identify ventures that are thought through, market-aware, and execution-ready. Each submission is evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and domain experts across five critical dimensions.
From Submission to Grand Finale
A structured, transparent process designed to test, refine, and elevate serious ventures.
Registration & Submission
Preliminary Evaluation
Final List for Grand Finale
20th February 2026
25th February 2026
28th February 2026
Meraki 2026 Grand Finale:
'14 March 2026'
Voices from Meraki 2025
Get Started
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Ready to Pitch?
