Call for Registration: Startup Acceleration Programme

Organizer: IIT Kharagpur

About the Programme

KGP Forge, a startup acceleration program led by z21 Ventures—a venture capital firm founded by the esteemed IIT Kharagpur alumni—and coordinated by the Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship-RMSoEE, is announcing the call for applications for the 2025-2026 cohort. This opportunity is exclusive to the IIT Kharagpur ecosystem (students, faculty, and alumni, with the option of external co-founders in special cases) seeking to accelerate their ventures.

The program aims to support early-stage deep-tech startups in the IIT Kharagpur ecosystem. It provides selected teams with a ₹25 Lakh seed grant and a year of intensive, structured mentorship. The program culminates in a high-stakes Demo Day where teams present directly to leading Venture Capital (VC) firms. Beyond funding, the initiative offers comprehensive handholding, market discovery, resource access, strategic networking, expert guidance, and team-building support.

Eligibility: Startup Teams having at least one current IIT Kharagpur Student (UG/PG, including MBA, SMST, and Law) in the pre-final year and PhD students who have completed the coursework and registration seminar are invited to apply. Faculty members and alumni can be part of the team. Outside co-founders may be permitted as a special case.

Selected students are required to opt for the deferred placement option to join the program.

Key Dates:

Oct 23 | Online Launch Event with the Director, IIT Kharagpur

Oct 25–Nov 5 | Screening + Mentorship

Nov 9–10 | Pitching before KGP Forge Panel

Nov 20 | Final Cohort Announcement

Application Deadline: October 26, 2025