Conquest BITS Pilani: Empowering India’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs with the Largest Student-Run Startup Accelerator
New Delhi, India, June 5, 2023 — India has firmly established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with nearly 90,000 startups and the addition of around 80 new startups every day. This rapid growth underscores India’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, trailing only the United States and China. However, despite this promising landscape, many startups face significant challenges, including difficulty securing funding, building sustainable business models, attracting talent, and differentiating themselves from the competition. As a result, many startups fail to reach their full potential.
The harsh reality of the startup ecosystem is that success often eludes even the most promising ideas due to the uncertainties and risks inherent in this fast-paced environment. This highlights the need for comprehensive support for startups — mentorship, capital access, networking, and a supportive regulatory environment — to help them thrive and grow.
Conquest BITS Pilani: A Pivotal Platform for Early-Stage Startups
To address these challenges, Conquest BITS Pilani, India’s first and largest student-run startup accelerator, has emerged as a game-changer. Specializing in nurturing early-stage startups, Conquest provides a comprehensive 7-week hybrid program designed to turn ambitious ideas into successful ventures. The accelerator focuses on equipping startups with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to scale their businesses.
At Conquest, entrepreneurs gain invaluable exposure to the ecosystem’s most influential figures. Participants engage in insightful sessions led by successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders, including Nithin Kamath from Zerodha, Aadit Palicha from Zepto, and Dev Khare from Lightspeed. These discussions go beyond surface-level advice, diving deep into the core aspects of building a startup. Conquest also offers investment workshops with leading venture capital firms such as Accel and WestBridge, providing participants with a thorough understanding of the fundraising process.
Mentorship at the Heart of Conquest’s Approach
A key differentiator of Conquest is its emphasis on mentorship. The accelerator’s extensive network includes over 100 CXOs, founders, and directors from prominent organizations such as Unacademy and Razorpay, ensuring that startups receive targeted guidance tailored to their specific needs. Whether refining business models, devising growth strategies, or overcoming operational challenges, Conquest provides startups with the support necessary to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Many of the mentorship relationships formed during the program continue long after its conclusion, offering startups lasting support as they grow.
From Online Phase to Inflection Phase: Preparing for the Demo Day
The program kicks off with a 6-week online phase, followed by the Inflection Phase, which marks a critical milestone in a startup’s journey. One of the key highlights of this week-long offline phase is the mock pitching sessions, which prepare startups for Bangalore’s highly anticipated Demo Day. At this event, startups pitch their ideas in a Shark Tank-style format to India’s top venture capitalists and angel investors. The most promising startups are awarded equity-free grants worth Rs. 30L+.
Success Stories and Impact
Over its 18-year journey, Conquest has produced remarkable success stories. Notable alumni include Thinkerbell Labs, creators of the self-learning braille device Annie, who secured an investment of Rs. 1.05 Cr on Shark Tank India Season 1 and have been praised by PM Narendra Modi and TIME. Other alumni include Bitespeed, backed by Kunal Shah and Sequoia Surge, and Social Cops, which has since evolved into Atlan, a $500M company.
What sets Conquest apart is its student-run approach. With a dedicated team of 30 undergraduate students, the accelerator brings a fresh perspective, energy, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by aspiring entrepreneurs. The student-led nature of Conquest enables it to foster a unique and vibrant environment that supports startups at every stage of their journey.
The Grand 19th Edition: A New Chapter for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Backed by WestBridge Capital, Conquest is now launching its 19th edition in 2023. With over 2000 startups already registered, this year’s edition promises to be the biggest yet, featuring a series of exciting events and opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Conquest continues to welcome startups from across India, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and support they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive ecosystem.
Aspiring startup founders can visit conquest.org.in to register for this year’s program and join the growing community of entrepreneurs shaping India’s future.
In the words of Ashish Singhal, Co-founder and CEO at CoinSwitch and keynote speaker at Demo Day ’22: “Amazing is the word I would use. This is the kind of environment India is looking forward to. India is now building global companies. I’m lucky to see the energy in the room from amazing entrepreneurs building amazing products at Conquest.”
