Introduction
Nation of Innovation is a real-world startup simulation where participants role-play as Founders and Venture Capitalists, organized by Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon. This event tests business planning, strategic thinking and entrepreneurship through a two-stage competition: an Idea/Rationale Submission Round and an Offline Final Round. Open to individuals and teams of 1–4, the event welcomes a wide eligibility pool that includes undergraduates, postgraduates, engineering and management students, arts/commerce/science and law students, medical students, freshers and experienced professionals. Prizes total ₹95,000 in cash plus certificates and additional surprises. Details follow in the chapters below.
Event Overview
Nation of Innovation is designed as a hands-on simulation where participants take on the roles of startup Founders and Venture Capitalists to engage with core entrepreneurial processes. The event concentrates on three focus areas: Business Plan, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship. Teams of 1–4 members will develop and present ideas, demonstrating their understanding of business rationale and market strategy. The format emphasizes real-world decision-making and interaction between the Founder and VC perspectives within the simulated environment.
Participation and Eligibility
Participation is open to a broad and inclusive audience. Eligible participants include:
- Undergraduate students
- Postgraduate students
- Engineering and Management students
- Arts, Commerce and Science students
- Law students
- Medical students
- Freshers and experienced professionals
Teams may register with 1 to 4 members. Given the diverse eligibility criteria, the event accommodates both students from different disciplines and working professionals, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and varied perspectives within team compositions.
Competition Structure and Timeline
The competition proceeds in two defined stages:
- Idea/Rationale Submission Round — 14 Jan 2026 to 22 Jan 2026: Participants submit their idea and supporting rationale. This stage serves as the initial filtering round where foundational concepts and the business rationale are evaluated.
- Offline Final Round — 25 Jan 2026: Shortlisted teams from the submission round will participate in an in-person final at the MDI Gurgaon auditorium to present their refined plans and engage in the simulation activities.
The two-stage model ensures that submissions are assessed on their conceptual strength before finalists are invited to present and role-play in the offline environment.
Awards, Prizes and Recognition
The event offers total cash prizes and certificates valued at ₹95,000 distributed as follows:
- Winner Startup: ₹30,000
- Runner-up Startup: ₹15,000
- Winner VC: ₹30,000
- Runner-up VC: ₹15,000
- Market Movers: ₹5,000
In addition to cash awards, participants receive certificates for participation and placement. The structure recognizes both startup teams and VC-role participants separately, along with a Market Movers category and unspecified additional surprises, ensuring multiple recognitions across the event.
Venue and Organiser Details
The Offline Final Round will take place at the Auditorium, MDI Gurgaon, Sector 17, Gurgaon, Haryana, India. The event is organized by the Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, which administers the timeline, evaluation and prize distribution. The auditorium setting provides an in-person platform for finalists to present, interact and demonstrate their business plans and strategies before evaluators and peers.
Conclusion
Nation of Innovation is a focused startup simulation by MDI Gurgaon that blends business planning, strategic thinking and entrepreneurship into a competitive, role-play-based format. With a two-stage structure—Idea/Rationale Submission and an Offline Final Round—teams of 1–4 from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds can participate. Prizes worth ₹95,000, certificates and additional surprises provide tangible recognition for performance in both Founder and VC roles. For those aiming to test and showcase their startup thinking and strategic skills in a real-world simulation, this event presents a clear, timed opportunity to engage and compete.