Inside the Boardroom: Masters’ Union’s Future Entrepreneurs Battle It Out

What does it take to evaluate a startup, craft a winning strategy, and convince investors that your vision holds the key to success? That’s exactly what the first-round admits of Cohort 6 at Masters’ Union discovered during the Startup Weekend!

Designed as an intensive, hands-on experience, the event immersed students in the world of startup evaluation, strategy development, and pitching, providing them with an unparalleled introduction to the Masters’ Union learning model.

A Weekend of Learning, Strategy, and Competition

The two-day event was structured to simulate the real-world pressures of startup building, offering students a team-based challenge to select an early-stage, pre-seed startup (with funding under $5 million) and develop a compelling pitch deck. The goal? To hone critical thinking, strategic analysis, and presentation skills, all under the guidance of industry experts and mentors.

Day 1: Virtual Foundations and Startup Selection

The journey began with 95 students tuning in for expert-led masterclasses on startup building and go-to-market (GTM) strategies. Armed with insights from seasoned professionals, teams of 6-8 members identified promising startups and started shaping their strategic approaches. Mentors provided valuable guidance, ensuring that participants had a strong foundation to build upon before the on-campus experience.

Day 2: On-Campus Action and the Final Pitch

The excitement reached new heights as students arrived at the Masters’ Union Gurgaon campus for an action-packed day of deep learning and high-stakes pitching. The day kicked off with two masterclasses:

• Dr. Bhupesh Manoharan, Marketing Professor at Masters’ Union, led an insightful session on GTM strategies, breaking down how successful startups penetrate markets and scale effectively.

• Saksham Kotiya, an ex-VC and consultant, delivered a session on Startup Building 101, offering students a structured approach to evaluating and positioning their chosen ventures.

Student teams worked intensively to refine their pitch decks, incorporating expert insights and mentor feedback. The competition was fierce, but the top three teams stood out for their clarity, innovation, and strategic depth, earning prize money and accolades for their efforts. The winners were felicitated by Pratham Mittal, Founder of Masters’ Union, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial excellence.

An Unforgettable Start to the Masters’ Union Journey

For Cohort 6’s first-round admits, the Startup Weekend was more than just a competition—it was an immersive learning experience, offering a real-world simulation of startup strategy and investor pitching. The event set the tone for what lies ahead at Masters’ Union: a dynamic, hands-on approach to learning, where students don’t just study business—they live it.

With more such experiences on the horizon, the future entrepreneurs of Masters’ Union are just getting started!