WISE Tech India Pitchathon

Earn Recognition Through the Season

Startups have multiple opportunities to be recognised as they progress through the Pitchathon.

Across regional editions and the Grand Finale, WISE Tech will award ₹10L+ in cumulative grants, comprising grants already disbursed to regional winners and the Grand Finale prize pool.

The Top 3 startups at each regional edition receive grants, while the Top 3 at the Grand Finale receive the final set of awards.

The Grand Finale also includes 8 Special Category Awards, recognising standout ventures across specific themes and areas of achievement.

Reach the Grand Finale

For the Top 50, the Grand Finale at SPJIMR, Mumbai brings together many of the opportunities created across the season in one place.

Selected startups receive a portfolio of technology credits and startup benefits worth $50K+ per startup from partners including Google, Zoho, Notion, Atlassian, Make, Breakground.io and more, subject to individual partner eligibility.

They also participate in the WISE Tech Product Strategy Clinic, where SPJIMR MBA student analysts explore on the startup’s actual business across areas such as pricing, GTM, product-market fit and customer segmentation. Each participating startup subsequently receives a detailed report with recommendations to take back to the business.

Pitch Before Investors & Ecosystem Leaders

The Grand Finale is designed to bring founders into direct interaction with people actively evaluating and engaging with startups.

Around 15 investors and Micro VCs are expected to participate in the Pre-Finale as jury members, while approximately CXOs and ecosystem leaders will also be part of the wider Finale.

WISE Tech will additionally share a curated startup booklet with participating investors. Where an investor expresses interest in a company, the WISE Tech team will facilitate the introduction.

For selected startups, approximately 10 curated showcase kiosks will also provide an opportunity to demonstrate products directly to investors, corporates, ecosystem leaders, founders and the wider SPJIMR community, including 1,000+ students on campus.

Build Visibility Beyond the Competition

Startups that stand out through the Pitchathon may continue to be amplified through WISE Tech and SPJIMR platforms.

Selected ventures may be featured through WISE Tech Insights, founder stories, podcasts, social media features and startup spotlights, with opportunities to reach SPJIMR’s 75,000+ alumni community, including CXOs, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.

Select startups from the Grand Finale may also be considered for earned media coverage through YourStory, including Grand Finale coverage and winner features.

For some ventures, the story may go a step further through WISE Tech Startup Caselets - mini case studies developed with SPJIMR students and faculty around the founder journey, business model, strategic choices, challenges and key learnings.

Move Into Deeper Venture-Building Support

For the strongest startups, the Pitchathon can become the entry point into a much deeper engagement with WISE Tech.

The Top 5 startups at the Grand Finale receive direct entry into the WISE Tech Series A Readiness Programme a six-month, cost-free and equity-free programme that admits only 10 startups, with a selection rate of under 3%.

Rather than following a standard accelerator format, each participating startup receives a tailored intervention plan, which may include:

1:1 coaching · residency sessions · pitch teardowns · GTM support · business and growth strategy · investor readiness · fundraising preparation · mentor clinics

EasyFix, a startup from the programme, went on to raise its recent funding round through an investor connection facilitated by WISE Tech.

Draw on the Wider SPJIMR Ecosystem

The relationship can continue beyond the Pitchathon and the accelerator.

Startups may engage with SPJIMR’s PGPSM specialised talent pool for relevant hiring opportunities, participate in deeper customer-discovery exercises with SPJIMR, and engage through mentor clinics around specific business challenges.