Startup Conclave & Innovation PavilionShiksha Mahakumbh 2026 · Shiksha Mahakumbh 6.0
An open invitation to founders, innovators, incubators and investors. LABH Federation and LABH Incubation are Startup Conclave partners, and we are taking applications for the Innovation Pavilion, the Pitch Arena and the conclave stage.
- LABH Federation · Incubation Partner
- LABH Incubation
- SROT · Partner
The room is the reason.
Shiksha Mahakumbh is the largest academic movement of the Department of Holistic Education (DHE), Vidya Bharti Institute of Training and Research Trust. Its sixth edition is organised by DHE in collaboration with NIT Hamirpur, IIT Mandi and CUHP, Dharamshala, and hosted on the NIT Hamirpur campus.
Over three days it brings Vice-Chancellors and Directors, scientists and research scholars, school principals and teachers, CSR leaders, policymakers, media and students onto one floor. For a startup, that is a rare concentration of the three things usually hardest to reach at once: early adopters who can pilot your product, talent from across sixteen academic tracks, and decision-makers who can sign an MoU or fund one.
The Startup Conclave gives that ecosystem a dedicated home inside the event. Startups are not an add-on to this programme — they are one of its working parts.
Seven things, all of them concrete.
Stall in the Innovation Pavilion
A dedicated exhibition space across all three days in the EdTech & Skill Development Exhibition for industry partners and startups, alongside the Innovation & Research Exhibition — demo to institutional buyers, faculty, students and visiting dignitaries.
Pitch to investors and mentors
A curated pitch arena where shortlisted startups present to a jury of investors, industry leaders and innovation mentors. Track-wise recognition and awards, with the strongest pitches taken forward for follow-on conversations.
Speaking slot on the main stage
Selected founders join panels and the Startup Leaders / Entrepreneurs Conclave alongside academicians, investors and policymakers — on the theme “Mitigation of Unemployment through Entrepreneurship”.
Campus partnerships and MoUs
Structured meetings with NIT Hamirpur, IIT Mandi, CUHP and the Vidya Bharti school network for pilots, internships, campus hiring and incubation tie-ups. MoU signing is a scheduled programme element.
Policy voice
Feed into the conclave outputs, including the Student Entrepreneurship Development Framework carried to policymakers.
Brand and PR
Logo placement, mentions across event channels, and PR access to the journalists at the Media Conclave.
Talent pipeline
Access to the achievers of the Talent Conclave and research scholars from the Scientists' Conclave.
Three kinds of applicant.
EdTech & Skilling
- Learning platforms, assessment and school management tech
- AI in education, digital literacy and access
- Vocational, industrial training and certification
- Special and inclusive education solutions
Deep Tech & Applied Innovation
- AI, robotics, data science, quantum tech
- AgriTech, food and veterinary sciences
- HealthTech, AYUSH and preventive care
- Climate, water, sustainability and clean energy
Investors & Ecosystem
- Investment funds, angel networks and family offices
- Incubators, accelerators, TBIs and iHubs
- CSR foundations funding innovation
- Industry bodies and state startup missions
Applications are open to all, irrespective of caste, community, religion, gender or place of birth. We assess stage, need, merit and the quality of the plan. We do not assess background.
Pick the way you want to take part.
Innovation Pavilion Exhibitor
Startups with a working product or prototype to demonstrate
Exhibition stall for all three days · two delegate passes · listing in the exhibition directory · guided visits by dignitaries and institutional delegates
Pitch Arena
Early to growth-stage startups seeking mentorship, pilots or introductions to investors
Slot before the investor and mentor jury · written jury feedback · award and certificate for winners · follow-up introductions
Founders' Voice
Founders and CXOs with a strong point of view to share
Speaking slot on a panel or in the Startup Leaders / Entrepreneurs Conclave · speaker profile in event material · media interaction
Campus Connect
Startups seeking pilots, R&D collaboration, interns or hires
Scheduled meetings with host institutions and the Vidya Bharti network · MoU signing slot · access to the student project and talent showcases
Ecosystem Partner / Sponsor
Corporates, investors, incubators and CSR foundations
Branding across the conclave · jury or mentor seat · premium stall · co-branded session · delegate passes. Tiers and pricing are to be confirmed by the committee.
How the days are shaped.
Open & Showcase
- Inauguration and Innovation Pavilion opening
- Exhibition live through the day
- Startup Leaders / Entrepreneurs Conclave, session I
- Networking dinner with institutional heads
Pitch & Connect
- Pitch Arena — shortlisted startups before the jury
- Founders' Voice panels
- Campus Connect meeting slots
- Investor and mentor office hours
Commit & Close
- MoU signing with institutions and partners
- Awards for best pitch and best innovation
- Adoption of the Student Entrepreneurship Development Framework
- Valedictory and media briefing
The scale of it.
Alongside the conclaves, Shiksha Mahakumbh 6.0 carries an Innovation & Research Exhibition, a Student Innovation Pavilion, an EdTech and Skill Development Exhibition by industry partners and startups, panel discussions, student project and Sodhankur research showcases, cultural programmes, and dedicated slots for MoU signing, brand promotion, PR opportunities and pitching sessions for innovators. Union Ministers, Governors and Members of Parliament have walked the floor at past editions.
The convener and coordinators.
Dr. Praveen Kumar Sharma
Dr. Mirgender Bedi
Er. Pankaj Kumar
Sh. Bikash Kumar
What we look for.
- Registered entity, or a student or campus venture backed by its institution or incubator.
- A demonstrable product, prototype, pilot or research-backed solution — concept-only entries are considered under the student category.
- Relevance to at least one of the sixteen academic tracks of Shiksha Mahakumbh 6.0.
- Applications are reviewed by the conclave coordinators; selection is on innovation, impact potential, readiness to demonstrate, and fit with the education and nation-building theme.
- Reserved consideration for women-led ventures, rural and Himalayan-region startups, and school and college innovators.
The calendar.
- 25 August 2026
- Applications open
- 15 September 2026
- Last date to apply
- 22 September 2026
- Shortlist announced
- 30 September 2026
- Confirmation and stall allotment
Two ways in.
Applications for the Startup Conclave come to LABH Federation as Incubation Partner. Everything you send is reviewed by the conclave coordinators. Free to apply, and membership is not required.
For partnership, sponsorship or bulk delegation queries you can also write to hello@labhfederation.org with the subject line “Startup Conclave — [Your Startup Name]”.
Asked and answered.
- Is there a fee to apply?
- No. Applying through LABH Federation is free, and applying does not require LABH membership.
- Who can apply?
- Applications are open to all, irrespective of caste, community, religion, gender or place of birth. We assess the work, the stage and the fit with the conclave's tracks.
- What happens after I apply?
- You receive a reference number by email straight away. Applications are reviewed by the conclave coordinators; the shortlist is announced on 22 September and confirmations with stall allotment and pitch slots follow by 30 September.
- Does LABH invest in the ventures that take part?
- No. LABH does not run a fund and does not take stakes. Support takes the form of showcase, mentoring, non-repayable assistance where applicable, and introductions to investors and institutions.
- What should I have ready?
- Your company profile, the track you are applying for, and a pitch deck of up to ten slides. You can attach the deck with your application.
- Are fees, stall sizes and sponsorship tiers final?
- Not yet. The Startup Conclave & Innovation Pavilion is a new segment of Shiksha Mahakumbh 6.0, and its track names, three-day flow, inclusions, fees, stall dimensions and sponsorship tiers await Organising Committee approval.
The Startup Conclave & Innovation Pavilion is a new segment of Shiksha Mahakumbh 6.0. Its track names, three-day flow, application dates, inclusions, fees, stall dimensions and sponsorship tiers are proposed and await Organising Committee approval. All other details are as published in the Shiksha Mahakumbh 2026 brochure.