The Challenge
Applying startup rigour to the non-profit ecosystem
This is India’s first competition for college student entrepreneurs that want to solve the country’s toughest social problems at scale. If you have ideas to fix healthcare, education, inequality, governance, climate or any other large scale issue, share it with us and we will guide you to build a nonprofit unicorn. We are looking for three things:
Problem Understanding
Uncover root causes through active listening and a clear grasp of on-ground realities
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Embrace innovation, challenge assumptions, and refine your approach as you grow
Scaling Mindset
Learn how to scale your impact from hundreds to millions using our EPIC framework
The EPIC Blueprint
After supporting 10s of organisations and researching India’s top 30 nonprofits, we have distilled what it takes to building organisations that scale. We call this the EPIC Framework.
We will guide you to use the EPIC framework to building your solutions.
Rewards
Cash Prizes worth upto
INR 2,00,000
Cash Prizes worth upto
INR 2,00,000
Cash Prizes worth upto
INR 2,00,000
Mentoring support for scaling
Cash Prizes worth upto
INR 2,00,000
Pitch to a panel of funders and investors
Cash Prizes worth upto
INR 2,00,000
Chance to join our accelerator programme
Structure
This competition has three rounds plus mentoring. Each round builds on the last, getting progressively deeper. Your journey will look like this...
Share Your Idea
Deadline Dec 20, 2025
Submit a 2-pager impact plan
Top 15 teams shortlisted by Jan 5
Get Mentored
Jan 20, 2026
30-minute mentoring call with social entrepreneurs
Preparation time: Jan 20-29
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Present Your Idea
Jan 13-14, 2026
Virtual presentations to us
Top 7 finalists selected by Jan 18
Grand Finale
Jan 29, 2026
Present on stage at India International Centre, New Delhi.
Winners announced same day!
About Change Engine
Change Engine runs India's premier accelerator for non-profits. We've worked with 10+ organisations building at scale, helped them raise $2M+ in funding, and published India's first evidence-based playbook for building non-profit unicorns. Our goal is simple: help build 20 non-profit unicorns in the next five years.
Undoubtedly, we have a brilliant line up of mentors to guide you through the process and help you strengthen your idea.
