NeXt Founders – From Idea to Impact
A Launchpad for Student Startups | A Movement for Entrepreneurial Mysuru
Vision & Mission
To create an entrepreneurial movement across campuses by cultivating a pipeline of student-driven startups, rooted in real-world challenges, guided by industry mentors, and sustained with vision, determination, and perseverance.
A TiE Mysuru Initiative in Collaboration with Academic Institutions and Industry Partners
Mission
Our mission is to discover, inspire, and equip engineering students to become future entrepreneurs by guiding them through a structured, mentor-led, industry-supported two-year impactful journey - from idea generation to startup launch.
NeXt Founders
YEAR 1
Spark The Fire
YEAR 2
Build The Future
PITCH
FEST
STARTUP
LAUNCH
Legal Entity with a Clear Understanding
Program Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
|
Target Audience |
2nd and 3rd Year Engineering Students |
|
Duration |
2 Academic Years (4 Semesters) |
|
Format |
Experiential Learning, Mentor-Driven, Industry-Connected |
Year-Wise Structure
Year 0: Identify & Inspire (1st Year Students)
Focus Areas
- Assessment
- Identification
- Cohort Formation
Key Activities
- Tool based assessments to identify right students for the program
- Driven by educational institutions
Year 1: Spark the Fire (for 2nd Year Students)
Focus Areas
- Awareness
- Orientation
- Inspiration
- Ideation
- Team Formation
Key Activities
- Entrepreneurial awareness workshops and inspirational founder talks
- Idea bootcamps and real-world case studies
- Exposure to industry challenges and problem-solving (Design Thinking)
- Masterclasses on business functions (Marketing, Finance, Valuation etc)
- Ideation contests (student-initiated and industry-proposed)
- Team formation and submission of initial concept notes
- Meet the parents’ session
Year 2: Build the Future (for 3rd Year Students)
Focus Areas
- Mentorship
- Market Research
- Tech & Fin Validation
- Prototype
- MVP
- Pitch Fest
Key Activities
- Customer discovery and structured market research
- Sectoral mentoring by TiE Charter Members and Industry experts
- Deep dives into emerging sectors (e.g., AI, AgriTech, HealthTech)
- Prototyping and MVP development workshops
- Business model refinement and investor pitch preparation
- Final Pitch Fest with real investors and incubators
Optional Tracks (Based on Team Interest):
- Tech Innovations Track: AI, IoT, Robotics, SaaS
- Impact Startups Track: AgriTech, CleanTech, HealthTech, EduTech
- Consumer/Services Track: D2C brands, Marketplaces, Creative Services, Food
- Cultural enterprise Track: Tourism, Art, Food
Each track may have curated industry mentors and relevant masterclasses
Optional Skill-Building Modules:
- IP, Legal & Regulatory Primer for Startups
- Fundraising 101: Angels, Grants & Incubators
- Digital Branding & Startup Storytelling
- Financial Basics & Cash Flow Management
Industry Integration
Students may choose to work on their own ideas or solve real-world challenges provided by industry partners.
20+ regional companies will be engaged as active collaborators.
Industry Partners Will:
- Provide challenge statements based on real needs
- Offer technical guidance and mentoring
- Evaluate student solutions and co-develop MVPs
- Sponsor promising ideas or teams
Institutional Collaboration & Ecosystem Support
Role of Participating Institutions
- Nominate 10–20 students per institution
- Appoint a Faculty SPOC (Single Point of Contact)
- Facilitate sessions and provide on-campus infrastructure
Role of TiE Mysuru
- Assign a TiE Charter/Associate Member as mentor for each college
- Conduct bootcamps, expert talks, and mentoring sessions
- Provide tools, resources, and access to the TiE ecosystem
- Organize the Pitch Fest and facilitate investor connects
- Parent awareness sessions
Role of Industry Partners
- Provide technical challenges and ongoing guidance
- Offer real-world, internship-like mentoring
- Sponsor and scale student ventures with potential
Selection Process
- All interested students will take an online aptitude test covering:
Problem-solving | Leadership traits | Entrepreneurial mindset | Resilience - Top scorers from each institution (total ~200) will be shortlisted.
- 100 final participants will be selected through interviews led by the College SPOC
and TiE mentors. - At the end of Year 1, these 100 students will form startup teams (2–4 members
each).
Investment & Funding Model
A shared funding model will support the initiative
TiE Mysuru
Core program design, delivery, and mentoring
Industry Partners
Problem statements, sponsorships, and mentoring
Participating Institutions
Students, operational and logistical support
This collaborative approach ensures sustainability, shared ownership, and stronger outcomes.
Timeline / Plan of Action
| Date / Period | Activity |
|---|---|
|
July 26, 2025 |
Program preview with TiE Board |
|
August 5, 2025 |
Meet Principals and academic SPOCs |
|
August 11, 2025 |
Engage TiE Charter & Associate Members |
|
Aug 16 – Sep 10, 2025 |
Industry meetings for collaboration & sponsorship |
|
August 11 onwards |
Launch preparations and execution |
|
Launch Date |
September 19, 2025 |
Key Outcomes
Creation of real MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) by student teams
Strengthening of industry-aligned innovation culture on campuses
Formation of investor-ready startups
Long-term value creation through entrepreneurship-led careers
Transformation of students from "NeXt Founders"
Post-Program Continuity Support
- Access to TiE Mysuru Startup Support Cell
- Fast-tracked applications to regional incubators
- Continued mentorship for promising teams for 6 months
- Visibility during TiE Startup Showcases and Mysuru Demo Days
- Inclusion in the NeXt Founders Alumni Network for ongoing learning and collaboration
How We Measure Success
To ensure accountability and track impact, TiE Mysuru will evaluate the program through the following metrics:
- Number of MVPs successfully built
- Number of startup teams reaching investor-ready stage
- Number of industry problem statements solved
- Number of teams sponsored/incubated by industry
- Internship/conversion offers by partner companies
- Post-program startup continuation or incubation
- Student feedback & mentor satisfaction ratings
