Chennai, July 1, 2025: Institute of Venture Building (IVB) has recently conducted their landmark event, Founders of Tomorrow (FoT), a nationwide talent hunt to discover and nurture entrepreneurial talent among school students. In a remarkable first edition, they hosted 1800+ participants from 350+ schools across 14 states, with a prize pool of ₹18 Lakhs, setting a new benchmark for student entrepreneurship events in the country.
Young Minds, Big Ideas: IVB hosts ‘Founders of Tomorrow’ featuring ₹18 Lakh Prize Pool
In the grand finale, top 8 teams pitched their startup ideas to a 4-member expert panel featuring Mr. Mahalingam Krishnamoorthy, Owner, TSM Group of Companies, Mr. Sameer Bharat Ram, Producer and Entrepreneur, Mr. Abhishek Srivastava, Co-founder and CEO of CareerTrek and Mr. Ashank Bhandari, Product Head of FoundIt.
The team that developed a voice assist gear to guide the visually challenged, clinched the first-place, bagging a cash price of ₹5 Lakh. Efficient reforestation through machines that simplify planting trees, stock market based fintech services were other notable ideas that clinched a place in top three.
In addition to their pitch, participants also conceptualized and created advertisment campaigns, which formed a part of the evaluation. This round was led by Mr. D. C. Tarun, influencer and Co-Founder of HungryCouch, and provided students a chance to understand customer behavior and brand building first-hand.
Participants described the experience as transformative, with many expressing how the contest boosted their confidence and gave them a sense of what it means to be an entrepreneur. They appreciated the hands-on learning and the opportunity to engage with peers and mentors in a supportive environment.
The founder of IVB, Mr. Mano Venkatesh, emphasized,
“We are often asked whether school children are capable of building a startup, and whether there is a need for entrepreneurship institutions. Founders of Tomorrow stands as a proof to their ability. Today’s youth have immense potential – they just need the right platform and guidance. Their aspirations can shape the nation and take it to new heights.”
The competition is open to students from Class XI, XII, and drop-year students, with eligibility for businesses at any stage—from ideation to revenue generation. The 2nd edition of Founders of Tomorrow has been launched and is receiving submissions. Winners get direct admission into IVB, where they can continue building their ventures with funding provided alongside their academic journey.
The Institute of Venture Building (IVB) is a new-age college focused on nurturing young entrepreneurs. Its flagship 3-year UG program in Entrepreneurship includes one year of classes, one year of internships, and one year of building a business. It combines real world learning with venture creation, offering mentorship, funding, and resources to help young founders launch impactful businesses.
