200+ CXO's
20+ Sessions
1500+ Delegates
300+ Founders
45+ Speakers
50+ Investors
You're not looking for another pitch competition where you spam 200 slides to judges who forget your name by lunch.
You need real conversations. Warm introductions. People who actually understand what you're building because they've walked the same halls, pulled the same all-nighters, and felt the same fire.
You need a network that doesn't just clap—it invests, mentors, and opens doors.
That's exactly what we built.
Access to Capital
Visibility & Recognition
Mentorship & Industry Network
Value for All Participants
Beyond the Pitch, Into the Future
Startup Showcase isn't a one-day event. It's a year-round platform designed to create lasting value for the entire NITK ecosystem.
Broader Value Creation
Extend value beyond just the Top 5 to all applicants through mentorship, investment opportunities, and increased visibility
Activate Angel Network
Evolve the angel network into an active investment and mentorship channel for the NITK ecosystem
Sustained Engagement
Create a platform for steady interactions and enduring value exchange - Before, During, and After the main event
Access to Capital and Opportunity
Most direct path to funding within NITK ecosystem
Visibility & Recognition That Matter
Platform for startups to build their brand in front of global alumni
Mentorship & Industry Network
Facilitation of high-value, curated interactions that go beyond a standard pitch event
Value for all Participants Throughout
Provide value to all qualified applicants
Startup Pavilion
Going beyond a pitch event to a startup showcase
Dedicated Startup Zone
A curated physical space (expo) for a wider group of startups to showcase ventures and interact directly with investors and alumni
Launchpad Stage
A small, central stage for continuous activity, including:
Rolling product demos
Scheduled 1-minute elevator pitches from startups
Curated Meeting Space
Pods for startups and investors to have focused 1:1 conversations, moving beyond general networking
High-Quality Deal Flow
Access to a pre-vetted pipeline of the best NITK-founded startups
Curated Pitch Day
A "demo day“ series to evaluate high-potential ventures
Exclusive Community
A structured platform to connect and co-invest on your own terms
Legacy & Mentorship
Formal channel to "give back," mentor the next generation, and build a lasting impact
Investor Konnect: Concept
Connecting investors with curated NITK startups through multi-track pitch sessions
Ground Rules & Format
10 min Virtual Pitch Sessions with startups at different tracks
5 min live Q&A with angel group
Interest Generations
Immediately after the sessions, a form is circulated to all participating angels to indicate startups they are interested in.
NITKonnect Facilitates
The NITKonnect team compiles the interest list.
Warm Introduction
NITKonnect shares the contact details of the selected founders only with the angels who expressed interest, enabling direct follow-ups.
Taj Yeshwantpur | February 21, 2026