Amazon Web Services and Campus Fund Present the Sixth Installment of the National Startup Grand Challenge: Recognizing the Top Student-led Startup of the Year 2025
The Grand Challenge 2025, sponsored by Base and Amazon Web Services (AWS), is set to be the sixth edition of a nationwide initiative that identifies and supports India's most innovative student-led startups. This year, the competition takes a significant step forward with the introduction of a dedicated onchain track sponsored by Base, focusing on blockchain-related areas.
Eligibility and Timelines
The Grand Challenge 2025 is open to student entrepreneurs across India, including current students, recent graduates, and dropouts from the year 2022 onwards. The competition is open across all sectors, with a special track for onchain/blockchain startups sponsored by Base. Applications are open now, with the last date to apply set for September 15, 2025.
Unique Opportunities and Rewards
The Grand Challenge 2025 offers a unique platform for young founders, combining mentorship, national exposure, direct access to investors, and connections with industry leaders. For the onchain track by Base, a dedicated prize pool of up to $10,000 is offered to winning teams.
Over the last five editions, the challenge has seen 57 winning student-led startups emerge, with 23 ventures raising over $90 million (Rs Rs. 750 Crores) from reputed global investors.
Past Winners
Since 2020, the Grand Challenge has become a movement supporting India’s youthful entrepreneurial talent. Winners have included startups that have successfully raised substantial venture capital, helping to grow India’s startup ecosystem and demonstrating the challenge’s impact and prestige.
The Grand Finale
The top 15 startups will present live at the Grand Finale in Mumbai, with the announcement of the winners scheduled for November 2025. The event will also feature a special mentorship programme for top startups building onchain, provided by the Base India team.
Benefits and Support
Winners of the Grand Challenge 2025 will receive benefits such as $10,000 in non-dilutive grants, up to Rs. 8 Crores (Rs USD 1M) in potential funding, up to USD 25,000 in AWS Activate Credits, and access to top tools including Notion, DocSend, ClickUp, Freshworks, WebFlow, and Typeform.
The Grand Challenge 2025 is powered by 360 ONE and features a dedicated onchain track sponsored by Base. It is a testament to the growing interest in blockchain technology and the potential it holds for India's startup ecosystem.
So, if you're a student entrepreneur with a innovative idea, don't miss this opportunity to take your startup to the next level. Apply for the Grand Challenge 2025 before September 15, 2025, and join the ranks of India's most promising student-led startups.
- The Grand Challenge 2025, a nationwide initiative supporting Indian student-led startups, now includes a dedicated onchain track sponsored by Base, providing an opportunity for startupsfocusing on blockchain-related areas.
- The upcoming edition of the Grand Challenge offers unique opportunities and rewards to student entrepreneurs, such as mentorship, national exposure, direct access to investors, and a dedicated prize pool of up to $10,000 for the onchain track.
- Since its inception, the Grand Challenge has seen numerous student-led startups emerge, with several ventures raising significant amounts in funding from global investors, demonstrating the competition's impact and prestige.
- The Grand Challenge 2025 presents a chance for student entrepreneurs to take their startups to the next level, with benefits like non-dilutive grants, potential funding, AWS Activate Credits, and access to top tools. Additionally, the top onchain startups will receive special mentorship from the Base India team.
