Pratham Mittal, Founder of Tetr College and Masters’ Union, has announced the launch of a new student-focused entrepreneurship programme that will provide equity-free grants to early-stage startups across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Student startup funding
The initiative, called the Tetr Emerging Founders’ Challenge, will offer grants of up to USD 7,500 to selected student-led ventures. The total grant pool exceeds USD 100,000 and is being funded through Tetr’s Innovation Fund.
The programme is positioned as an early source of non-dilutive capital, aimed at helping students take business ideas beyond academic settings and into the market.
Who can apply
The challenge is open to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students, as well as graduates who completed their studies within the past four years. It is structured to support founders at different stages, from early ideas to startups that have already shown initial traction or revenue.
The initiative includes two tracks: one for idea-stage founders who have identified a problem to solve, and another for early-stage startups with early customer validation.
Evaluation approach
According to Tetr, the assessment process is designed to reflect real-world startup evaluation, with a focus on market understanding, readiness to execute, and founder commitment.
Commenting on the launch, Pratham Mittal said, “While student founders often demonstrate strong ambition and creativity, they frequently lack access to credible feedback and early capital. The Tetr Emerging Founders’ Challenge is designed to provide a serious, professional platform where student ideas are evaluated with rigour, while also offering the encouragement and resources needed to take the first step. Our objective is to help students view company-building as an immediate and realistic option, supported by early belief and financial backing.”
Mentorship and exposure
In addition to grant funding, selected participants will receive access to Tetr’s network of mentors, operators and investors. This includes experienced founders and senior professionals linked to institutions such as Harvard, MIT and SoftBank.
Shortlisted founders may also be considered for scholarships to Tetr’s Master’s in Management and Technology programme, which allows students to work on ventures while studying across multiple international locations, including Dubai, China and Europe.
Application details
Applications for the Tetr Emerging Founders’ Challenge are currently open. Interested founders are required to submit a pitch deck and an elevator video through Tetr’s official platform. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2026.
