Bengaluru, 23 September 2026: BITS Pilani Startup Hub, Bengaluru has invited applications for its first Demo Day, to be held on 9th October 2026 at Hustlehub Tech Park, HSR Layout, Bengaluru. Backed by the Institute’s alumni, the initiative invites applications from technology-led startups seeking access to talent, customers and investors.
Applications for the Demo Day are open and close on 2nd October 2026.
Interested applicants can apply using the following links:
For Demo Day: https://forms.gle/
For Incubation: https://forms.gle/
Established in January 2026, BITS Pilani Startup Hub, Bengaluru is set up to strengthen the Institute’s startup ecosystem by drawing on its extensive alumni base in the city. Bengaluru being home to more than 700 BITS alumni who have founded startups, along with several alumni-led venture capital firms. With more than 30,000 BITS alumni based in Bengaluru, including numerous CXOs and senior industry leaders, the city offers strong resource base for entrepreneurship, mentorship and networking.
The Hub is designed as an alumni-powered platform where founders gain access to mentorship, as well as meaningful opportunities for customer introductions, industry partnerships, hiring and fundraising. Alumni contribute at every stage of the journey — curating startups, conducting workshops, opening networks, mentoring, and making angel investments.
Speaking about the BITS Pilani startup ecosystem, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “BITS Pilani’s real strength is its network of over 210,000 alumni, many of whom have built successful global companies. The Bengaluru Startup Hub turns that strength into action, connecting founders with alumni mentors, capital and infrastructure when they need it most.”
The first Demo Day will feature a total of 12 selected companies:Alumni-founded startups building scalable technologies at the revenue stage, and startups graduating from the Hub‘s three-month first acceleration cohort. The line-up is designed to give investors and industry leaders a strong showcase of the Hub’s potential.
Announcement of next 12-Week On-Site Acceleration Programme for incubated Startups
Selected startups will participate in a 12-week, on-site, alumni -led acceleration programme designed to help them strengthen their business for the next stage of growth. The programme combinesone-on-one mentorship, strategy sessions, founder-led workshops, investor interactions andpitch refinement, with support for product positioning, go-to-market strategy and business model refinement. helps the incubates buildtraction, and enhance fundraising readiness, withmultiple opportunities to pitch to investors and the wider startup ecosystem or deep-tech startups building hard-tech products, the Hub is also introducing a six-month, high-touch acceleration track, limited to five startups.
Speaking about the Demo Day, Prof. Mridula Goel, Founding Lead, BITS Pilani Startup Hub, said, “This Demo Day is the first opportunity to showcase to Bengaluru‘s startup community what we are building through an alumni-led accelerator. At the same time, it opens up multiple channels for the city’s large BITS alumni community to reconnect with their alma mater.”
Inviting budding entrepreneurs and startups, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Kotta, Alumni (1994-98 Batch), BITS Pilani, and Founder & CEO, HustleHub, said, “My vision is to make the BITS Pilani Startup Hub the natural choice for BITSians looking for a home to begin their startup journey.”
Who Can Apply?
Startups applying to the Accelerator should:
• Be registered as a Private Limited Company or equivalent
• Demonstrate technological innovation with potential for scalability
• Have at least one founder committed full-time to the startup
• Have at least one founder who is a BITS Pilani alumnus
Important Dates
• Applications close: 2nd October 2026
• First Demo Day: 9th October 2026
• Venue: BITS Pilani Startup Hub, Hustlehub Tech Park, HSR Layout, Bengaluru