When Innovation Took The Spotlight: Entrepreneur Challenge Season 2 Honors India’s Brightest Startups
The grand finale of Entrepreneur Challenge Season 2 recently concluded in Bengaluru, celebrating the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. With over 2,000 applications and months of rigorous evaluation, the event recognized standout startups with Dell Technologies solutions worth ₹48 lakh—and more.
Powered by YourStory and presented by Dell Technologies, the finale brought together India’s top innovators, visionaries, and changemakers for an evening pulsing with energy and ambition. Held at the heart of Bengaluru’s thriving startup ecosystem, the event was supported by EY as Process Advisor and Prime Venture Partners as Investing Partner, rounding off months of intense preparation, mentoring, and pitching.
Season 2 was designed to spotlight bold ideas from across the country, with a unique format that featured two dedicated tracks: one for women-led startups and MSMEs, and the other for general startup founders and co-founders. This segmentation enabled targeted mentorship, equal opportunity, and a sharper focus on the diverse strengths shaping India’s innovation landscape.
Launched in October 2024, the challenge received over 2,000 applications. A multi-round evaluation process, led by EY, whittled this number down to 100 startups, then 30 quarter-finalists in March 2025, and finally 11 exceptional ventures who made it to the in-person finale in April. Finalists were selected not just for the strength of their ideas, but for the passion and potential behind them.
The finale was split into two dynamic segments. The women-led track featured pitches from:
- AdiUvo Diagnostics
- Genomiki Solutions
- Glovatrix
- Kristalball Smart Solutions
- Poocho Research Technologies
- TerraBlue
- The general track included:
- Bioqube Inc
- Euphotic Labs
- Good Mind
- Rosa Technology
- Sectr Consol
An esteemed jury presided over the event, bringing insights from venture capital, tech leadership, and startup growth. The panel featured:
- Brij Bhushan, Venture Partner, Prime Venture Partners
- Sangeeta Bavi, COO, YourStory Media
- Samriddhi Bhattacharyya, Director & GM – Generative AI Growth Business (Enterprise & Startups), Dell Technologies
- Meghna Agarwal, Co-founder, IndiQube
- Vijai Kanagaraj, Managing Director – Technology Audit, Protiviti India
As the evening reached its climax, the winners were unveiled:
Euphotic Labs took home the top honor in the general startup category, winning ₹16 lakh worth of Dell Technologies solutions.
AdiUvo Diagnostics emerged as the winner in the women-led category, also receiving ₹16 lakh in Dell solutions.
Rosa Technology and Kristalball Smart Solutions were named runners-up in their respective tracks, each receiving ₹8 lakh in technology support.
Voices from the Finalists
The event wasn’t just about the awards—it was about growth, learning, and connections.
Rajalakshmi Borthakur, Founder & CEO, TerraBlue:
“The most enriching part was talking to peers building beautiful products. The feedback I received was invaluable.”
Taapsi Ramchandani, Co-founder & CEO, Poocho Research Technologies:
“Come for the prize money, yes—but stay for the pitch experience. It gives you a real opportunity to present your vision.”
Deeksha Bhartiya, Founder & Director, Genomiki Solutions:
“We use Dell servers already, so this was a great chance to explore deeper collaboration and support.”
Aishwarya Karnataki, Co-founder & CEO, Glovatrix:
“Each round brought feedback that helped us refine our pitch and product. That guidance was critical.”
Dibayan Das, CEO & Head of Product, Bioqube Inc.:
“It’s been a journey of learning and inspiration—meeting other founders doing amazing work was a highlight.”
Girish Tiwaskar & Jayesh Tiwaskar, Founders, Sectr Consol:
“What impressed us most was the jury’s diversity—bringing in a balance of perspectives, not just from tech or VC backgrounds.”
Geethanjali Radhakrishnan, Founder & MD, AdiUvo Diagnostics:
“We’re setting up our own IT infrastructure, so the Dell award came at the perfect time to support that vision.”
Smriti Singh, Founder & CEO, Kristalball Smart Solutions:
“As a small team with big goals, this recognition is everything. It’s not just a win—it’s a beginning.”
Season 2 Wrap-Up: Fueling the Future of Innovation
As the curtain falls on Entrepreneur Challenge Season 2, one thing is clear: this platform is more than a competition—it’s a launchpad. With continued support from Dell Technologies, Prime Venture Partners, EY, and YourStory, these startups are now poised to scale new heights and shape the next chapter in India’s innovation journey.
