BITS Pilani’s international startup challenge ‘Conquest 2017’ is back. Get ready to be mentored by experts, funding of $1 million on offer

If you have a brilliant business idea and don’t know where to pitch it, BITS Pilani’s international student-startup challenge is for you. The college is back with its 13th edition of Conquest 2017, which serves as a launchpad for your startup and entrepreneurial dreams.

Conquest offers one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry leaders, investing and fundraising opportunities, networking sessions with corporate moguls, equity-less funding and resources worth $1 million.

Last year, Conquest 2016 saw over 1200 applications from startups all across Asia during which people got a learning opportunity.

Nilesh Kothari, co-founder at Trifecta Capital, who was a jury member in Conquest 2016 said, “Every year, I’m quite impressed by the quality of the teams and startups present here. It gives youngsters an opportunity to engage and learn new things. I think it’s... really great.”

Conquest 2017 seeks to assist startups from tier 2 and tier 3 cities and provides them an opportunity to be at par with ventures across the globe. This year, Conquest also eyes startups overseas, gearing up to help them with its vast inventory of resources and opportunities.

Over the years, Conquest has produced some of the best startups in India, including Gamezop, iTraveller, PosterGully, GharPay (Acquired by Delhivery), Social Cops, Voonik, etc.

Gamezop, the runners up for Conquest 2015, raised a funding of $350,000, and the founders were featured in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2016. Social Cops, a Conquest 2013 participant, was among the 35 start-ups from India selected for the first India-U.S. Startup Konnect at Silicon Valley.

Here’s how you can apply for Conquest 2017
1. Participants have to fill a form on the Conquest website. Registrations close on April 20. For registering, visit www.conquest.org.in.

2. The Conquest Jury, a panel of entrepreneurs and investors, will screen the applications based on various parameters gauging the start-up performance.

3. The semi-finalists would get personalized mentoring across five major cities in India, wherein the teams will be offered to choose their own mentors. Finally, a networking lunch with industrialists and a pitching opportunity to Indian VC firms will commemorate the Grand Finale.