PGP YL
ISB Neovate 2025
- The Arena of Ideas and Innovation
- Grow, Connect, and Compete with the Best
- The Neovate Challenge Journey
- Who Can Participate
- Prizes & Recognition
- Key Dates
- FAQs
- Contact Us
The Arena of Ideas and Innovation
ISB Neovate 2025 is a national-level case competition that brings together India’s brightest undergraduate minds to think strategically, innovate boldly, and solve real-world business challenges through teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking.
Designed and curated by Centre for Learning and Teaching Excellence (CLTE) at ISB, the competition brings real-world business challenges to the student arena — bridging classroom learning with boardroom realities. Compete with top talent from across the country, present to ISB faculty and industry experts, and experience the rigour of ISB-style decision-making. From testing your analytical acumen to shaping ideas that inspire change, this is your platform to – Think, Build, Lead.
Zones: North & South
Finals: Hyderabad & Mohali campuses
Test your strategic thinking on real-world business problems crafted by ISB’s academic experts. These cases mirror the complexities faced by global leaders today; from navigating growth to driving innovation. It’s your chance to experience the rigour of ISB-style learning before you step into a management school.
Gain access to a powerful learning network. Interact with ISB mentors, connect with like-minded peers from top institutions, and exchange ideas that can shape your leadership journey. Every conversation here is a potential insight or the start of a lifelong professional connection.
Discover how leaders at ISB approach ambiguity and complex decision-making. The competition introduces you to frameworks and analytical cases used in ISB classrooms, helping you strengthen your structured thinking and data-driven reasoning.
Step up as a representative of your institution and showcase your ability to think, collaborate, and lead. Compete with some of the brightest minds in the country while developing the confidence and perspective that define true leadership.
Challenge yourself with complex business problems, sharpen your analytical thinking, and get hands-on experience in structured problem-solving; essential for excelling in future case competitions and leadership roles.
Online Submission
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In the first stage, your team will receive a real-world business case developed by ISB’s Centre for Learning and Teaching Excellence (CLTE) team.
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You will have to analyse the problem, identify key challenges, and outline your strategic approach in a concise one-page solution summary.
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Demonstrate clarity of thought, structured reasoning, and creativity in framing your solution.
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Top-performing teams from each zone will move forward to Round 2.
Virtual Presentation
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Shortlisted teams will be invited to present their detailed solution decks virtually before an evaluation panel comprising ISB faculty and industry experts.
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The round will test your ability to design actionable strategies, justify decisions with logic and data, and communicate effectively as a team.
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Translate your insights into a compelling business strategy that reflects innovation and leadership.
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Top 10 teams from each zone will qualify for the grand finale at ISB campuses.
In-Person at ISB Hyderabad & Mohali
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The final showdown happens in person at ISB’s Hyderabad and Mohali campuses.
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Finalist teams will present their refined solutions to a distinguished panel of ISB faculty, alumni, and corporate leaders.
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Beyond the competition, the finale offers participants a glimpse into ISB’s vibrant ecosystem- a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.
Who Can Participate
Open to students from all campuses across India:
Open to all undergraduate students, regardless of year of study or discipline. Students enrolled in any college or university across the country are eligible to participate. If your institution does not currently have an ISB Campus Ambassador, participation in NEOVATE 2025 opens the opportunity for your campus to be considered for Campus Ambassador appointment in the future.
Additionally, students who have graduated within the last two years are also eligible to participate, provided they form teams with their ex-classmates from the same college or university.
Team size: 3 - 5 members
You can register as a team of three to five students from the same college or university. Build a team that balances creativity, strategy, and problem-solving - that’s the key to leadership.
Note: The SPOC (Single Point of Contact) is counted as part of the team. You may add up to four additional members. (Total team size: 3–5, including the SPOC.) The SPOC will also be responsible for submitting entries and all official communication on behalf of the team.
Registration Fee: ₹250 per team
A registration fee ensures your team’s spot in the competition. Payment instructions will be shared with you once you have registered.
Get recognised by India’s leading B-School with an Official Certificate of Achievement, acknowledging your performance in the competition and your ability to apply structured thinking, teamwork, and leadership potential demonstrated through the Neovate 2025 challenge.
Top-performing teams will win gift vouchers worth up to ₹1 lakh as recognition for their outstanding performance.
Prizes will be awarded separately for each zone (North & South):
- 1st Prize: ₹25,000 (equivalent vouchers)
- 2nd Prize: ₹15,000 (equivalent vouchers)
- 3rd Prize: ₹10,000 (equivalent vouchers)
Winning teams may be featured on ISB’s official website and social media platforms - an exclusive distinction that honours their success on one of India’s most esteemed academic stages. This recognition not only highlights your achievement but also places your journey within ISB’s enduring legacy of shaping impactful leaders.
Disclaimer: Not guaranteed and is solely at the school’s discretion.
Selected finalists will also get the opportunity to interact with the ISB Admissions Team, gaining valuable mentorship and insights into leadership and management thinking for your PGP YL application. The experience is intended to offer thoughtful guidance and academic insight that can support each participant’s individual growth journey.
Key Dates
| Stage | Start Date | End Date |
| Registration | October 24, 2025 | November 16, 2025 |
| Round 1 | November 17, 2025 | December 07, 2025 |
| Round 2 | December 24, 2025 | January 10, 2025 |
| South Zone Grand Finale - ISB Hyderabad | January 23, 2026 (Tentative) | - |
| North Zone Grand Finale - ISB Mohali | January 24, 2026 (Tentative | - |
Students enrolled in any college or university across India are eligible to participate.
If your institution does not currently have an ISB Campus Ambassador, participation in NEOVATE 2025 offers your campus an opportunity to be considered for future Campus Ambassador appointments, thereby expanding the ISB leadership network to new institutions nationwide.
Additionally, students who have graduated within the last two years are also eligible to participate, provided they form teams with their ex-classmates from the same college or university.
Each team can have 3 to 5 members. All members must be from the same college or university pursuing Under graduation, although they can be from different academic years or programmes.
Yes. Round-trip travel and on-campus accommodation will be arranged and covered for the teams shortlisted for the final round at ISB Hyderabad or Mohali.
Each round will be assessed using predefined evaluation rubrics developed by the ISB Centre for Learning & Teaching Excellence (CLTE) team.
Judging will be based on parameters such as originality, feasibility, clarity of thought, and presentation quality.
Finalists will receive Certificates of Achievement, while top teams will be awarded gift vouchers and prizes worth upto 1 Lakh and more.