Press Release

INNOVA Europe opens doors for Indian start-ups, offering global recognition, mentorship, and funding

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research’s (SPJIMR) WISE Tech will host the India edition of INNOVA Europe, an international entrepreneurship competition that champions responsible innovation aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). SPJIMR is the only Asian institution to partner with a distinguished alliance of 10 leading European business schools to bring this global initiative to India.

Co-founded by EDHEC Business School (France), ESMT Berlin (Germany), and Polimi Graduate School of Management (Italy), INNOVA Europe has emerged as a platform for emerging ventures to gain global visibility, access mentorship, and compete for financial support. The competition aims to surface breakthrough solutions in the areas of environmental sustainability, societal inclusion, and healthy living.

Through the India edition, SPJIMR invites applications from innovative early-stage start-ups that demonstrate a clear alignment with the UN SDGs. Selected start-ups will benefit from a curated development programme that includes expert mentoring, workshops, and pitch coaching. Finalists will present their ventures at a national pitch event, with winners earning a place at the INNOVA Europe Grand Finale to be held at ESMT Berlin in September 2025.

Speaking on the initiative, Manoj Mohan, Executive Director, WISE Tech, SPJIMR, said, “INNOVA Europe is a powerful platform for Indian start-ups to gain global exposure, build international networks, and scale their impact. At WISE Tech, we see this as a natural extension of our mission to support responsible innovation that can create meaningful change across borders.”

The competition is open to start-ups in the ‘Rising Stars’ stage with a functional prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Participating ventures must address one or more of the following themes: environmental transition, including clean energy, climate action, sustainable cities, and biodiversity; empowerment and inclusion, covering education, gender equality, poverty alleviation, and reducing inequalities; and healthy living, with a focus on healthcare, well-being, and overall quality of life.

The virtual India programme will be held over a week and includes intensive sessions on product-market fit, go-to-market (GTM) strategies, funding and valuation, as well as mock pitch reviews. The Grand Finale in Berlin will offer winners monetary awards of €20,000, incubation support, and a global stage to connect with investors and industry leaders.

Applications are open until May 10, 2025. To apply, visit: https://forms.gle/MvAfPQ3UaAVtLqhb8

About SPJIMR

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) is a leading postgraduate management institute, recognised by the Financial Times MiM Global Rankings as India’s #1 business school, by Business Today as one of the country’s top five business schools, and by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the top five business schools worldwide for societal impact. Known for its innovative and socially conscious approach to management education, research, and community engagement, SPJIMR aims to influence managerial practice and promote the value-based growth of its students, alumni, organisations and their leaders, and society. SPJIMR holds the international ‘triple crown’ of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.

Visit spjimr.org for more information.

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