Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi, recently hosted Meraki 2026, its flagship international business plan competition that brought together emerging founders from India and Canada to present innovative startup ideas.
Meraki is organized by the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CIET) at FIIB, which focuses on creating a supportive ecosystem that nurtures innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. The competition served as a platform for student entrepreneurs to pitch technology-driven ventures addressing real-world challenges across sectors such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, energy innovation, and digital platforms.
This year’s edition received over 100 team registrations, out of which 16 ventures were shortlisted for the final round, representing institutions from across India as well as international locations including Ontario, Canada. The finalists showcased diverse innovations ranging from AI-enabled learning platforms and sustainability solutions to technology-driven service models.
Winners of Meraki 2026
Following a highly competitive round of pitching and jury deliberation, three ventures emerged as the top winners of the competition.
Winner – Newway Biotech Pvt. Ltd. | Prize Money: ₹1,50,000
Representing the School of Applied Sciences & Technology, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, the startup has developed a patented IoT-enabled Vitamin D concentrator that converts mushrooms into Vitamin D–rich nutrition premixes. The solution aims to address Vitamin D deficiency and malnutrition while supporting sustainable agriculture and improving farmer incomes.
1st Runner-Up – Enaryx | Prize Money: ₹1,00,000
From KCG College of Technology, Chennai, the venture has developed a patented wind turbine system that captures waste airflow from HVAC outdoor units and converts it into electricity. The system can generate up to 48 kWh of energy per day, helping commercial facilities reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
2nd Runner-Up – Optima Learn | Prize Money: ₹50,000
Representing the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi, the startup has developed an AI-powered learning platform that provides personalized study plans, adaptive mock test analysis, and intelligent learning insights for competitive exam aspirants.
The competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry leaders including Kartik Mehta, VP Investments at WaterBridge Ventures; Puru Vashishtha, Chairman, Wishfin; Prashant Sood, Head – Organizational Affairs & Communication at Luthra Group; and Monce C. Abraham, Director, THEV.
Speaking on the occasion, Kartik Mehta noted that “student founders today are demonstrating strong problem-solving capabilities while applying technology to create scalable solutions.” Puru Vashishtha added that “while innovative ideas are important, the long-term success of startups depends on strong execution and sustainable business models.”
Over the years, Meraki has evolved into a prominent platform encouraging student-led innovation and entrepreneurship. The competition has attracted participation from leading universities and has supported more than 50 innovative ventures, awarding over ₹50 lakh in fellowships to promising startup ideas.
With more than 15 years of impact, the platform continues to provide young entrepreneurs with opportunities to interact with mentors, investors, and industry leaders while refining their business models and pitching capabilities.
Through initiatives such as Meraki, FIIB’s Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CIET) works to transform ideas into actionable ventures by leveraging frameworks such as ideation, design thinking, and social entrepreneurship, connecting young innovators with mentors, industry experts, and collaborative opportunities.
