Preliminary screening.
A fair, transparent and documented evaluation to confirm that every application is complete, genuine and eligible before the final startup list is frozen.
Verification—not a business contest.
Screening determines whether an application meets published eligibility and verification requirements. It is not designed to choose the “best” startup.
01Confirm applicant eligibility
02Verify startup authenticity
03Check application completeness
04Review supporting documents
05Identify duplicate applications
06Confirm business ownership or authorisation
07Verify products, services or business activity
08Review conflicts of interest
09Confirm summit availability
10Confirm willingness to participate in rebranding
11Prepare a verified and auditable final eligible list
From submission to recommendation.
Applicants should check their dashboard, registered email and mobile number regularly throughout the screening period.
Application Completeness Review
The first review checks whether all required information, declarations and submission records are present.
- Founder details
- Startup name and business address
- Product or service description
- Business stage and contact information
- Social-media or website links
- Founder photograph, startup logo and product photographs
- Required documents
- Declarations and consent choices
- Final submission confirmation
Missing information may result in Correction Required status.
Applicant Identity Verification
The team may verify the person submitting the application and their authority to act.
- Founder or representative identity
- Age eligibility
- Contact details
- Relationship with the startup
- Authority to submit
- Consistency between identity documents and application details
An authorisation letter may be required where the applicant is not the founder or owner.
Startup Authenticity Verification
The startup must represent a genuine business, product, service, prototype or workable enterprise concept.
- Registration documents and licences
- Udyam, PAN or GST details where applicable
- Product and workplace photographs
- Social-media activity and website
- Customer or sales activity
- Prototype evidence
- Packaging samples
- Business correspondence and other relevant evidence
Idea-stage startups may qualify when they demonstrate a clear, genuine and workable concept.
Ownership and Authorisation Review
Ownership information is checked to prevent unauthorised or duplicate submissions.
- Applicant connection with the startup
- Authority to participate
- Owner knowledge and consent
- Separate submissions for the same enterprise
- Consistency of startup name and ownership details
Unclear ownership may require additional evidence.
Eligibility Review
The application is compared with the published eligibility criteria.
- Applicant is at least 18
- Applicant is a founder, owner, director, partner or authorised representative
- Manipur location or substantial business connection
- Genuine business activity
- On-time submission
- Required documents
- Summit availability
- Rebranding availability
- Acceptance of official rules
- No prohibited activity
Duplicate Application Check
Possible duplicate entries may be identified and reviewed rather than rejected automatically.
- Startup and founder names
- Mobile number and email
- Registration or tax identifiers
- Website and social profiles
- Uploaded documents and product photographs
- Business address and similar descriptions
- Clarification of branches, products, entities, co-founder submissions or accidental duplicates
Only one eligible entry will normally be allowed for each startup.
Document Verification
Documents are reviewed for quality, relevance and consistency with the application.
- Readability and completeness
- Expiry date
- Name and startup matching
- Signs of alteration
- Duplicate use
- Relevance to the application
Blurred, cropped, expired or incomplete files may need replacement. False or altered documents may lead to disqualification.
Product or Service Verification
The team checks whether the offer is clearly explained and supported.
- Product photographs or prototype
- Service description and customer problem
- Target market
- Production process
- Current sales activity
- Development stage
- Existing packaging and branding
- Online presence
- Future business plan
Applicants may be contacted where the product or service is unclear.
Social-Media and Public Review
Submitted public links may be checked for consistency and authenticity.
- Startup name and founder association
- Product or service activity
- Contact details
- Business location
- Consistency with the application
- Authenticity of the public profile
Follower count alone does not determine eligibility. Fabricated engagement or misleading claims may be treated as risk indicators.
Conflict-of-Interest Review
Applicants must disclose close relationships with people directly involved in the process.
- Event organisation
- Application screening
- Final eligibility approval
- Draw operation
- Winner-selection witnesses
- Influencer participation in the draw
Disclosed relationships are reviewed fairly. Significant non-disclosure may result in disqualification.
Branding and Rebranding Readiness
The startup must be reasonably able to complete the transformation programme.
- Undergo a business and brand audit
- Share accurate product and customer information
- Attend strategy meetings
- Review design concepts
- Provide timely approvals and legal product information
- Participate in photography and video
- Cooperate with printing, packaging and signage
- Complete the programme by 31 January 2027
A startup unable to participate during the programme may not remain eligible for the winner package.
Reviewer Assessment
Authorised reviewers complete a documented assessment and recommendation.
- Eligibility and document checklists
- Authenticity, duplicate and conflict reviews
- Branding-needs assessment
- Participation-readiness review
- Internal notes
- Recommendation: Eligible, Correction Required, Ineligible, Further Verification, Waiting List or Escalation
Internal reviewer notes will not be displayed publicly.
A chance to clarify and correct.
Correction Required is used when information is incomplete, unclear or inconsistent but can reasonably be fixed.
A request may ask you to
- Correct personal details, startup name or contact information
- Replace unclear documents or photographs
- Upload missing evidence
- Clarify ownership or explain a duplicate entry
- Provide an authorisation letter
- Correct social links or complete declarations
Further verification may include
- Phone call, email or video meeting
- Original-document request
- Business-location visit
- Product samples or additional photographs
- Institution or registration-authority contact
- Clarification from co-founders
How to respond
Log in to the participant dashboard.
Open the correction notice and read every instruction.
Edit only the reopened fields.
Upload the requested files.
Review the corrected information.
Resubmit before the stated deadline.
The original submission is preserved and the correction creates a new review version. Missing the correction deadline may result in an incomplete or ineligible status.
Know where your application stands.
Participant-visible statuses make the review path understandable from draft through final approval.
The application has not been submitted.
Successfully submitted and awaiting review.
The screening team is reviewing the application.
Information must be corrected or added.
Requested corrections have been submitted.
Additional evidence or clarification is needed.
Preliminary eligibility requirements are met.
One or more mandatory requirements are not met.
May be considered if capacity or review becomes available.
Approved for the final winner-selection list.
Possible ineligible reasons
- Submission after the deadline
- Applicant under 18
- Incomplete application
- Failure to respond to corrections
- False information or forged documents
- Duplicate application or identity mismatch
- Unclear ownership or misrepresented activity
- Illegal or prohibited activity
- Significant undisclosed conflict
- Refusal of programme conditions
- Inability to attend or complete rebranding
- Attempting to influence reviewers
- Abusive or threatening conduct
The reason for every ineligible decision should be recorded.
Clarification request
Where the official rules permit, an applicant may identify the questioned decision, explain the reason, cite the application reference and provide supporting evidence before the stated deadline.
A request does not guarantee reversal. The organising team may confirm, revise or uphold the original decision.
Fairness built into every review.
The process protects applicants with consistent criteria, controlled access, documented decisions and active conflict management.
Fairness
Every application is reviewed against the same published requirements.
Consistency
Reviewers use a standard checklist and documented process.
Confidentiality
Sensitive material is restricted to authorised personnel.
Transparency
Applicants can view their status and participant-visible decisions.
Documentation
Important actions, corrections and decisions are recorded.
Conflict Management
Reviewer conflicts must be disclosed and reassigned where needed.
No Preferential Treatment
Sponsors, speakers, partners and influencers cannot influence eligibility decisions.
Approved, anonymised and auditable.
Authorised screening administrators confirm eligibility, request further verification, return applications for correction, confirm ineligibility, place an application on the waiting list or approve Final Eligible status.
Final eligible list
Approved startups receive Final Eligible status.
Each startup receives a unique anonymised draw ID.
The list is reviewed for duplicate entries.
The final eligible count is recorded.
The list is frozen before the live draw.
A secure export is created.
A digital file hash is generated.
The list is used for the live selection on 11 October 2026.
Final draw eligibility
Submit by 20 September 2026
Complete all mandatory sections
Submit required documents
Respond to correction requests
Pass authenticity and eligibility verification
Resolve duplicate or conflict flags
Accept official rules
Be available for the summit and rebranding
Receive Final Eligible status
Appear in the frozen eligible list
Once frozen, the list cannot be silently edited. Any authorised reopening must record the reason, date, authoriser, changes, previous and new versions, and updated file hash.
Stay truthful, active and responsive.
01Provide truthful information
02Keep registered contacts active
03Check the dashboard regularly
04Respond within deadlines
05Upload readable documents
06Cooperate with verification
07Disclose conflicts of interest
08Avoid duplicate applications
09Never attempt to influence reviewers
10Protect login credentials
11Report major changes