Organizing Partner:
Taking Ideas to Global Platform
40+ IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS WILL BE PRESENTED IN
UT Dallas, city of Richardson as venue for Junicorn festival, 29 MAY, 2025
Other Programs
IDEATHON COMPITITION
STARTUP PITCH CONTEST
Categories
GROUP A: 8 – 17 AGE
GROUP B: 18 – 25 AGE
Perks
FUNDING SUPPORT
MENTORING
INCUBATION, NETWORK
ABOUT JUNICORN
JUNICORN is a transformative event aimed at fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking among young participants under the age of 8, specifically targeting talent in tier 2/3 cities. This initiative recognizes the untapped potential in these regions and aims to provide a global platform for young minds to identify realworld problems and develop innovative products from rural to global.
1,00,000
Young minds to be sensitised towards the power of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Mindset.
40
Globally impactful solutions will be provided a platform to take them to the market.
10,000+
Participants
1000+
Prototypes
100+
Solution Shortlisting
IDEATHON OVERVIEW
An Ideathon is a collaborative event focused on brainstorming innovative solutions to specific challenges. Unlike hackathons, it emphasizes idea generation over creating functional prototypes.
STRUCTURE
- Problem Identification
- Idea Generation
- Mentorship
- Presentation & Evaluation
BENEFITS
- Skill Development (creativity, teamwork)
- Networking with peers and professionals
- Recognition for innovative ideas
- Opportunities for implementation
STARTUP PITCH CONTEST
The International Startup Foundation (ISF) is a premier event fostering India’s startup ecosystem. It complements initiatives like Startup India and Make-in-India, aiming for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
KEY FEATURES
- Startup Competition: Pitch ideas to investors and form strategic alliances. Open to startups at all stages.
- Exhibition: Showcase products to investors, mentors, and industry experts.
- Youth Competition: Engage youth in creating sustainable social enterprise solutions.
DEEGATE REGISTRATION
The International Startup Foundation (ISF), supports India’s startup ecosystem and complements initiatives like startup India.
DEEGATE BENEFITS
- Access to conference sessions, exhibitions, and networking.
- Opportunity to connect with 10,000+ startups, investors, and industry leaders.
SPONSORSHIP
The International Startup Foundation (ISF), offers sponsors a unique platform to gain brand visibility, engage with startups, and demonstrate support for innovation.
BENEFITS
- Enhanced brand exposure through event marketing.
- Networking with 10,000+ startups, investors, and industry leaders.
- Alignment with innovation-focused initiatives.
EDU TOUR
The Educational Tour (Edu Tour) at the International Startup Foundation (ISF) offers a unique opportunity for experiential learning, connecting participants with the startup ecosystem and industry leaders.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Immersive visits to key startup hubs and innovation centers.
- Interaction with entrepreneurs and industry experts.
- Insights into India’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
Join the Edu Tour to gain real-world exposure and build valuable networks.
ISF Junicorn, Sunicorn Application Process
WHY JUNICORN?
- Special Focus on ‘emerging cities’ in India: Harnessing entrepreneurial spirit to develop solutions impacting the next billion.
- Global Network: Mentorship from 800+ global industry leaders and venture capitalists.
- Hands-on Learning: Engaging participants through hackathons, workshops, and global competitions.
JAN 5 – FEB 15
IDEA SUBMISSION
Ideas can be submitted in one of the themes given or as an open idea in the open ideas category. The top 100 team will be shortlisted and incubated by March 5th 2025.
APR 1- APR 30
PROTOTYPE DEV
The top 100 teams will be incubated in the regional incubators to develop the ideas into demonstrable prototypes. This will be used for pitching in india during the 1st week of May.
MAY 29, 30
FINALE IN DALLAS
The top 40 teams from India will be provided a global platform in Dallas to pitch their ideas to a global jury along with other international participants.
CRITERIA
Junicorn is open to young innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to participate. If you are passionate about solving real-world challenges, this is the platfrom for you to take your solutions global.
Group A:
8 – 17 Age
Participants aged 8–17 years, early innovators from schools passionate about solving problems creatively.
Group B:
18 – 25 AGE
Participants aged 18–25 years, including college students and early-stage entrepreneurs seeking real-world exposure.
SPECIAL PREFERENCE FOR TIER 2/3 TALENT
Junicorn is committed to identifying and nurturing talent from emerging cities, providing them a platform to showcase their potential.
YOUNG INNOVATORS WITH IDEAS
Whether you’re from a school or a college, if you have a unique solution to a real-world problem, Junicorn is for you.
NO ACADEMIC DEGREE REQUIRED
Ideas come to those who are closer to the challenges and have access to tools that can enable them to solve. Degree is not a criteria.
A MIND WITH A DIFFERENCE
Ideas with conviction to solve challenges will impact millions of lives. Young innovative minds driven by compassion are the best fit.
HOW TO PROCEED ?
- Register yourself through the link to stay updated with our communication
- You will need to submit an idea or solution addressing one of the identified global or thematic challenges aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You can choose to submit an open idea that you believe will make a large scale impact.
- Follow the instructions that will be provided in the platform while submitting the ideas and attend the online sessions that are designed to help you to make your pitch better.
- Top 100 teams will be provided the necessary incubation support to develop the idea to POC.
- Top 40 teams will head to Dallas for global exposure and grand challenege
BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS
GLOBAL EXPOSURE
Opportunity to present impactful solutions on an international platform in Dallas, USA.
SEED GRANT UPTO 1 LAKH
Top 40 ideas receive ₹1 lakh each to develop their ideas into prototypes with the help of regional incubators.
MENTORSHIP
Guidance from 800+ global leaders and regional incubators to refine ideas into market-ready solutions.
MINDSET, SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Hands-on experience in innovation, prototyping, and entrepreneurship with like minded peers.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Build connections with industry experts, investors, and entrepreneurs.
ORGANISERS
ISF : INTERNATIONAL STARTUP FOUNDATION
Dedicated to enhancing India’s entrepreneurial landscape, The International Startup Foundation (ISF) fosters vital connections between entrepreneurs, resources, investors and mentors. Our commitment extends beyond conventional boundaries, embracing nature, nurturing enduring relationships and championing youth and rural empowerment.
INUNITY : INNOVATION FOR COMMUNITY
InUnity focuses on building an ecosystem for community centric innovation with educational institution bustling with talent as the epi-centre. The role of InUnity is to put together the essential entities in place and catalyse the interaction between them through a well defined framework to bring out innovations that positively impact the communities we serve.
THE YOUNG TINKER FOUNDATION
The Young Tinker Foundation builds “Skill Consciousness” and promotes “Problem-Solving through Hands-On STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among high school students. We focus on empowering students to ideate, prototype, and build solutions. Our transformative initiatives- Young TinkerSpace (YTS) and Tinker on Wheels(ToW) have impacted over 270,000 students across India.
The term “Young Tinker” reflects a youthful mindset—someone who is free and curious—and “tinker” refers to a problem solver, not just a thinker.
One of our significant achievements was securing World Rank 3 at the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) 2021, making us the first team in Asia to achieve this milestone. This success is a testament to the incredible work we do at the foundation. Our community continues to grow and attract talent from around the world.
Fueling the Innovation Spark in the Next Generation (ISF Junicorn)
J A Chowdary
Key Architect, Indian Tech Industry, Founder, ISF
Dr. Siva Mahesh Tangutooru
Founder & CEO, Jama Botanics & TurfPearl Agritech, Co-founder, ISF
Mr. Siddarth Nandyala
Founder & CEO, STEM-IT Tech
Mr. Nayan Adithya
4th Grade, National Public School, Bengaluru, Lead, Junicorn Competition – India.
Anil Pradhan
CEO & Founder, Young Tinker Foundation
Vaishali Sharma
Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, Young Tinker®️
Registration Form
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Frequently Asking Questions
What is the competition flow? Will there be any other screening before the Grand Finale on 29 May? If so, what are the criteria for that?
The competition flow is outlined in the brochure and on the website. There will be no additional screenings after the top 40 students are selected. The criteria for selection are currently being finalized and will be shared soon.
2. How will the pitching take place? Is it offline or online? If offline, what is the location?
The details regarding the pitching format and location will be shared via email. Please wait for official communication from the organizers.
3. What are the event location and accommodation details in Dallas?
The event location and accommodation details are yet to be confirmed. Updates will be shared as soon as they are finalized.
4. Are there any restrictions on project equipment for flight travel?
There are no restrictions on project equipment for flight travel. However, participants are advised to comply with airline guidelines for carry-on and checked luggage.
5. Will the organizers provide any support regarding flight tickets and the VISA process?
Participants are responsible for arranging their own flight tickets and VISA. Organizers will not provide support in this regard.
6. I assume all students will be traveling together from India. Should we book the flight tickets ourselves, or will the organizers handle the bookings, and we reimburse them?
All bookings must be handled by participants or their guardians. Reimbursement will be provided to students after verifying household income, subject to specific eligibility criteria.
7. What is the process for US students to participate? How will their ideas be incubated?
This process is still under discussion, and further details will be provided once finalized.
8. Do we need to pitch based on a specific topic or category, or can we choose a topic of our own?
You can either select a topic/category provided during registration or propose a unique topic of your own. Both options are equally welcomed.
9. Can I participate as both a participant and a delegate?
Yes, you can participate in both roles if applicable.
10. What is the Edu Tour, and how can my child be a part of it? Is there an additional fee for this?
Details about the Edu Tour, including participation and potential fees, are yet to be finalized. Updates will be provided in due course.
11. What happens on 30 May as mentioned on the website?
On 30 May, there will be an AI Summit, which is not directly related to Junicorn but provides a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and learn about advancements in artificial intelligence.
12. Are Junicorn, Ideathon, and the Startup Pitch contest the same? If they are different, how do they differ, and which would be the best option for our child to participate in since they all appear similar?
Junicorn, Ideathon, and the Startup Pitch Contest are distinct events with unique objectives:
- Junicorn is a comprehensive innovation challenge where participants develop ideas, create prototypes, and present solutions to real-world problems. It offers end-to-end support, including mentorship and incubation, and culminates in a global finale.
- Ideathon is focused on idea generation, encouraging participants to brainstorm and propose innovative solutions. It is typically a shorter event that does not require full prototype development.
- Startup Pitch Contest is designed for more advanced participants with ready-to-pitch startup ideas. It focuses on presenting business models and securing funding or mentorship.
For younger or less experienced students, Junicorn is the best option as it provides structured guidance and hands-on learning. For those with a clear idea or startup concept, the Startup Pitch Contest may be more suitable. Ideathon is ideal for students looking to refine their ideation skills.