Eximius IIM Bengaluru stands as one of India’s most influential entrepreneurship summits, hosted by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. It’s not just an event but a dynamic confluence of young innovators, student entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry leaders—all united by the common goal of nurturing groundbreaking ideas and building sustainable businesses.
The latest edition of the summit continued this powerful legacy, offering a deep dive into the world of entrepreneurship. With its compelling theme “Ideate to Elevate,” the summit focused on empowering participants to develop innovative, scalable, and impactful ventures. It built upon the momentum of last year’s theme of “Profitability and Impact,” bringing sharper focus on creative thinking, execution, and scale.
Eximius IIM Bengaluru: A National Platform for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Eximius IIM Bengaluru serves as a transformative platform that nurtures entrepreneurial ambition by connecting ideation with actionable execution. Designed to cater to a diverse audience—from student innovators and first-time founders to early-stage startups and industry professionals—the summit offers an immersive experience rooted in real-world relevance. Through a thoughtfully curated lineup of speaker sessions, competitions, and mentorship opportunities, it empowers participants to refine their ideas, build viable business models, and gain exposure to funding avenues. The event fosters a collaborative ecosystem where creativity meets strategic thinking, enabling attendees to test concepts, gather feedback from experts, and network with investors and fellow entrepreneurs. It’s not just an event, but a comprehensive launchpad for India’s future business leaders.
Event Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Theme | Ideate to Elevate |
| Total Registrations | 53,000+ |
| On-Campus Participants | 4,000+ |
| Startups Participated | 1,000+ |
| Venture Capital Firms Present | 20+ including 100X, Capital A, Antler |
| Speaker Sessions | 30+ including industry leaders and change-makers |
| Competitions Hosted | 30+ National level events with ₹15 Lakh+ prize pool |
| Incubation & Mentorship Opportunities | NSRCEL-backed support worth ₹4 Lakhs for winning teams |
Theme: Ideate to Elevate
The central theme of Eximius IIM Bengaluru, Ideate to Elevate, captured the spirit of entrepreneurial transformation. It challenged participants to go beyond surface-level thinking and explore solutions that could lead to long-term value creation. Through workshops, panel discussions, and pitch competitions, the summit emphasized building businesses grounded in creativity, practicality, and purpose. From sustainable innovation to tech-enabled disruption, the event saw entrepreneurs tackle real-world challenges with original ideas and bold strategies.
Young Entrepreneur Program
The Young Entrepreneur Program was a highlight for budding innovators aiming to turn their passions into businesses. Designed as an intensive two-day immersion, the program offered sessions on startup ideation, market validation, business modeling, and funding strategies. Led by IIMB faculty and seasoned entrepreneurs, this experience helped early-stage founders gain clarity, develop entrepreneurial confidence, and build connections that could last beyond the event.
BzzWings: Business Plan Competition
A flagship event at Eximius IIM Bengaluru, BzzWings served as a powerful launchpad for student-led startups and early-stage ventures. With over 2000 participants presenting their business models, this competition provided real feedback from industry professionals and investors. Beyond monetary rewards, winners received incubation support from NSRCEL, including mentoring, co-working spaces, and direct access to startup ecosystem enablers. BzzWings reflected how structure, support, and opportunity can unlock the full potential of student entrepreneurship.
Pitcher Perfect: The Startup Arena
Pitcher Perfect offered founders the chance to step into the spotlight and pitch their businesses to some of India’s most active venture capital firms. This Shark Tank-style event brought student entrepreneurs face-to-face with investment leaders from firms like Capital A, Antler, and 100X. The pitches went beyond the usual deck presentations and included tough Q&A sessions, constructive critiques, and on-the-spot mentorship. Funding up to ₹1.5 Cr was on the table for the most promising ventures, making this one of the most competitive events of the summit.
Startup Expo and Founder’s Mix
The Startup Expo was a visual and interactive showcase of innovation. More than 100 startups participated, each displaying their solutions in sectors like fintech, healthtech, edtech, and cleantech. The format allowed real-time engagement with founders, product demos, and investor feedback. The Founder’s Mix complemented this by bringing together 150+ successful entrepreneurs from the Bengaluru ecosystem. These founders shared their experiences in scaling ventures, surviving pivots, and navigating the challenges of startup life. Attendees also had the chance to land live project opportunities, making these sessions deeply impactful.
Workshops and Case Competitions
Competitions and workshops form the backbone of learning at Eximius IIM Bengaluru. This edition featured more than 30 national-level case contests, testing participants on their ability to think strategically, solve problems, and present under pressure. Topics ranged from marketing campaigns to portfolio analysis and IPO readiness. Workshops like “Ace the Case” and “Infinite Innovation” trained participants in design thinking, AI integration, and modern business strategy. These sessions made learning hands-on and application-driven, setting the tone for real-world success.
Speaker Sessions and Fireside Chats
One of the most valuable aspects of Eximius IIM Bengaluru is its speaker sessions, where accomplished leaders share hard-earned wisdom. The summit began with a keynote by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who reflected on her entrepreneurial journey and the importance of perseverance. Yamini Bhat, CEO of Vymo, highlighted the importance of calculated risk-taking.
Kris Gopalakrishnan shared insights into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, while Prajakta Koli talked about the creator economy and building independent brands. Shyam Srinivasan from Federal Bank and Ashok Kamath from Akshara Foundation explored the role of entrepreneurship in finance and social impact. These dialogues served as both inspiration and a knowledge bank for attendees looking to leave their mark.
Key Features in List Format
Major Events:
- Young Entrepreneur Program: A curated learning experience for aspiring founders
- BzzWings: Business plan competition with incubation opportunities
- Pitcher Perfect: Live pitching to top VC firms
- Startup Expo: Innovation display and investor interaction
Learning and Networking Opportunities:
- 30+ curated speaker and panel sessions
- Workshops on innovation, business strategy, and digital tech
- Founder’s Mix: One-on-one networking with startup leaders
- Live project and mentoring opportunities
Final Thoughts
Eximius IIM Bengaluru continues to evolve as a premier platform for entrepreneurship and innovation in India. It’s more than just a summit; it’s a movement that empowers, educates, and energizes the next generation of business builders. Whether you’re an aspiring founder with a bold idea or a student looking to learn from the best, Eximius offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to engage with the entrepreneurial ecosystem at its highest level.
The summit is proof that with the right environment, mentorship, and resources, ideas can truly elevate into impactful ventures. As the journey continues, the spirit of Eximius will keep inspiring countless young minds to think big, act bold, and build fearlessly.
FAQs
Q1: What is Eximius IIM Bengaluru best known for?
It is best known for being India’s largest student-run entrepreneurship summit, offering high-impact networking, funding, and learning opportunities.
Q2: Can students without a startup still participate?
Yes, many events including workshops and speaker sessions are open to students who are still exploring the startup space.
Q3: Are there funding opportunities available?
Yes, events like Pitcher Perfect offer funding up to ₹1.5 Cr, along with incubation support from NSRCEL.
Q4: Who are some notable speakers at Eximius IIM Bengaluru?
Speakers include industry veterans like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Yamini Bhat, Kris Gopalakrishnan, and content creator Prajakta Koli.
Q5: How do I stay informed about the next edition of Eximius?
You can follow IIMB’s official website and Eximius social media channels for updates, registration links, and event announcements.
