₹40K
Team funding (debt)IVB provides debt funding to kick-start your team’s D2C brand.
125.East
Built byDebraj Giri
₹60LRevenue in 3 months
Winner · D2C Challenge 2026
Founded byIIM Calcutta alumni
Build a real business while still in school.
A selective, fully funded D2C startup-building program for ambitious high school students
8 weeks · ₹40,000 funding (debt) · ₹1L+ revenue target
Classes IX–XII · Chennai · Coimbatore · Madurai
₹1L+
Revenue goal · 2 monthsBuild, launch and sell. Keep the money you make.
₹1L
Cash prize poolWin rewards and awards for your startup’s performance.
₹1 crore
Scholarship poolUnlock opportunities to continue your journey with IVB.
Mini Shark Tank
Demo DayPitch your startup to real investors.
Build your profile
Proof of workBring your venture experience to applications for top Indian and global universities.
Eight weeks.
One real business.
From product discovery to investor pitch. Each week, workshops and mentoring help you build the next part of your business.
- WEEKS 01–02Define & buildProduct approved. Brand and store ready.
- WEEKS 03–05Launch & growCampaigns live. Customers buying.
- WEEKS 06–08Sell & pitchMarket tested. Investor story ready.
Explore your week-by-week playbook Swipe, scroll, or use the arrows
WEEK 01
Find the business.
- WorkshopD2C business models and unit economics
- WorkshopIdentify a product and supplier
- MentorshipFinalise the product and supplier
YOU LEAVE WITHA product shortlist, supplier choice and initial unit economics.
WEEK 02
Build the brand.
- WorkshopPitch the product for approval
- WorkshopSet up Shopify, Shiprocket and Razorpay
- WorkshopBrand positioning and visual identity
- MentorshipBuild the brand and ecommerce store
YOU LEAVE WITHA named brand and a working online storefront.
WEEK 03
Go to market.
- WorkshopContent, organic social and influencer marketing
- WorkshopMeta ads and performance marketing
- MentorshipLaunch and refine online campaigns
YOU LEAVE WITHLive content, campaigns and a plan to reach customers.
WEEK 04
Sell beyond the obvious.
- Diwali breakVirtual sessions during the week
- WorkshopAffiliate marketing and cracking B2B sales
- MentorshipSell online and offline
YOU LEAVE WITHNew sales channels and real customer conversations.
WEEK 05
Find what works.
- WorkshopGrowth hacking and performance optimisation
- MentorshipOptimise and scale operations and sales
YOU LEAVE WITHA sharper growth plan grounded in real performance.
WEEK 06
Get market ready.
- WorkshopSet up and sell at a flea market
- WorkshopWhat and how to pitch to investors
- MentorshipPrepare the stall, stock and pitch
YOU LEAVE WITHA market-ready stall and the first version of your pitch.
WEEK 07
Meet the market.
- Live challengeRun your flea-market stall at a mall
- MentorshipPrepare the final presentation and investor pitch
YOU LEAVE WITHSales, feedback and proof from real customers.
WEEK 08
Own the story.
- Demo DayFinal pitch and presentations
- The finishPresent what you built, sold and learned
YOU LEAVE WITHA real venture story, evidence of execution and a pitch you can stand behind.
Student ideas.
Real-world results.
Meet the businesses built by IVB’s undergraduate students in the D2C Challenge. From fashion to pet care, these teams turned ideas into products people paid for.
Built by students. Bought by customers.Explore five student ventures
Fashion brand
Sports apparel
Offside Origins
A premium sporting merchandise brand.
Built byDev Patel, Bhavya Jain, Bhumi Singh & Arahan
₹4LRevenue
First Sale
Socks & lifestyle
Socksee
A D2C lifestyle brand making socks a statement fashion piece.
Built byVedant Sharma, Raina Bhageracha & Shahbaz
₹1.42LRevenue
Best Social Media
Pet care
CoolPaws
DIY paw-printing kits for pet owners.
Built byArmaan, Veda, Kshitij & Dhruv
₹1.2LRevenue
Massagers & hair growth
Scalp Glow
Built byPrerak Gupta & Buddla Vamshi
₹1.12LOffline revenue
The challenge honours.
Offside Origins
Dev Patel, Bhavya Jain, Bhumi Singh & Arahan
Socksee
Vedant Sharma, Raina Bhageracha & Shahbaz
Inhaus Coffee
Shalu Sharma, Aditya Jamdade, Jayesh Choudhary, Archit Gupta & Aniket Humbe
Heleora
Hari Anand, Thejus V, Anbuvil, Fiza Parveen & Mugunthan
Learn from people
who have done the work.
Build with founders and operators who know D2C. Get practical guidance on your product, store, marketing and pitch.
Our founders & mentors Explore the team
IVB FOUNDERMohammed Amer
NIT Trichy & IIM Calcutta
Venture capitalist who expanded his family business and went on to start a venture studio.
IVB FOUNDERMano Venkatesh
Rajaselvan
SSN & IIM Calcutta
Content creator educating young people on finance, with experience in sales and marketing across FMCG and ed-tech.
Founder & CEO · CookdAathitiyan V S
Second-time founder building Cookd, a digital-first food brand. Previously co-founded HeroTalkies.
View LinkedIn
Deputy Director, Growth & Marketing at MyntraSonika Rao
Growth and marketing professional at Myntra, with experience in ecommerce strategy. An IIM Calcutta alumna.
View LinkedIn
Angel investor
Startup advisor & mentorHetal Sonpal
Angel investor and startup mentor with leadership experience at Intel, LinkedIn, Microsoft and Wipro.
View LinkedIn
Co-founder & CEO · columsproutAIShivani Sharma
Building AI shopping assistants that help D2C brands turn customer conversations into sales.
View LinkedIn
Growth marketing · LoopgroShubhi Singh
Builds growth systems for consumer brands, connecting positioning, creative and customer acquisition.
View LinkedIn
Founder · GO DESiVinay Kothari
Built a consumer food brand around regional Indian flavours, with experience in FMCG sales and branding.
View LinkedIn
Senior Advisor, Digital Growth · IncrementumXGanesh Balakrishnan
Entrepreneur and marketer with experience building consumer businesses and advising startups on growth.
View LinkedIn
Brand & content · LoveLocalManas Barpande
Works across topical content, brand storytelling and social media strategy.
View LinkedIn
Co-founder · Spotlight ScoutsSanchit Mahajan
Digital marketer and entrepreneur working across brand growth, performance marketing and customer acquisition.
View LinkedIn
Ecommerce · DCGpacUjjwal Bhasin
Brings experience in entrepreneurship, online sales and ecommerce operations.
View LinkedInThe selection process.
Application
Submit your application outlining your interests, achievements and entrepreneurial aspirations.
Expert interview
Shortlisted applicants will be assessed through an interview with experts.
Selection
Final selection based on application and interview.
A handpicked cohort of 50 young builders in each city.
Fully funded by IVB.Big ambition.
Clear details.
- Who can join
- Grades 9–12
- Your team
- 5 studentsDon’t have a team? We’ll make one for you.
- 18 October – 6 December 2026
- 8 weeksWeekend workshops + guided build time
- Choose one city
- Separate cohorts. Attend in your chosen city.
- The finish line
- Flea market Investor pitch
Do I need a business idea already?
No. Your team will finalise its product and supplier in the first week. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to get involved.
Is this a course or a competition?
It's both. You're going to be in the real world, competing with real businesses, and your cohort mates. At the same time, you get hands-on masterclasses and mentorship to help you execute. Revenue and profits are not guaranteed.
Can I enquire as a parent?
Absolutely. Select “Parent / guardian” in the interest form and share your child's grade and school. The IVB team can help with programme questions before you make a decision.
Do I have to bring a team of five?
The programme runs in teams of five. If you don’t have a team, don’t worry — we’ll make a team for you.
Is the programme fully funded?
Yes. IVB covers the full programme cost for every selected student. In addition, each team of five receives ₹40,000 in venture funding (debt) to build and grow their business.
Do I get to keep the money we make?
Your team returns the initial ₹40,000 in venture funding provided by IVB and keeps all the revenue it generates above that amount.
For example, IVB provides funding of ₹40,000 per team to start your business. If your team generates ₹1,00,000 in revenue in 8 weeks, ₹40,000 is returned to IVB, and the remaining ₹60,000 belongs entirely to your team — ₹12,000 per student for a five-member team.
Where are the sessions, and what are the timings?
Choose one city: Chennai, Coimbatore or Madurai. Each has a separate cohort, so you attend the programme in your chosen city from 18 October to 6 December 2026. Most sessions are on Sundays, with workshops on two Saturdays and weekday virtual sessions during the Diwali break. Contact IVB for venue and session timings in your city.
Your first business
starts here.
Have an idea, or just the curiosity to start?
Tell us about yourself and take the first step.
RATHER HAVE A CONVERSATION?+91 98943 49550