Utkrama means a leap beyond limits. It is SIMS Pune's flagship entrepreneurship summit designed to bring the startup ecosystem onto one high-impact platform. Utkrama connects early-stage founders and revenue-generating startups with investors, mentors, and industry leaders looking for the next wave of scalable ideas. At the same time, it builds entrepreneurial thinking among students through a highly competitive, national-level case competition focused on strategy, innovation, and real-world execution. By combining startup pitching, investor engagement, and rigorous problem-solving, Utkrama creates a space where ideas are tested, capital is deployed, and future founders are shaped.
Pillar 1: UTKRAMA – A Blue Ocean Leap
- National-level startup pitching competition
- Focus areas:
- Idea originality
- Execution readiness
- Business viability
- Multi-stage evaluation:
- Concept clarity
- Action planning
- Live pitching and ecosystem validation
- Mirrors real-world accelerator and investor screening processes
- Ideal for:
- Student founders
- Early-stage startups
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Finalists receive:
- National visibility
- Expert feedback
- Certificates
- Exposure to investors and mentors
Pillar 2: Investor Funding Round
- Dedicated funding opportunity for scalable startup ventures
- Startups may pitch for potential funding of up to ₹15 Crore
- Funding subject to:
- Investor interest
- Due diligence
- Strategic alignment
- Positions UTKRAMA as:
- A deal-flow platform
- A capital access gateway
- A startup–investor interface
Pillar 3: The GTM Battle Plan & Brand Stretch
- Strategy-focused competition for consultants, marketers, and growth thinkers
Stage 1: The Intel Brief (Online Quiz)
- Tests:
- Business fundamentals
- Startup terminology
- Unicorns and market leaders
- Emphasis on speed and accuracy
Stage 2: The GTM Battle Plan
- Participants receive high-quality but low-visibility products
- Task:
- Design a lean, creative, and cost-effective Go-To-Market strategy
- Key focus areas:
- Targeting and positioning
- Channel strategy
- Value proposition
- Launch sequencing
- Evaluated on clarity, creativity, and strategic discipline
Stage 3: The Brand Stretch (Grand Finale)
- Teams are assigned:
- A global brand
- A conflicting industry
- Challenge:
- Launch a new product line without diluting brand identity
- Evaluation based on:
- Strategic brand fit
- Innovation logic
- Business viability
- Storytelling and persuasion
Event Venue
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, H Type quarters, Range Hills, Indrayani Nagar, Khadki, Pune, Maharashtra 411020, India
