Elevator Pitch.
Sixty seconds, decided in the elevator.
Founders 25 and under, in a real lift, with a guest of consequence on the other side. Walk out richer by ₹1 Lakh, or walk out.
Applications close 26 May
The format, in 60 seconds.
Seconds
Each pitch, no extensions
Guest
Red buzzer, or green
Lakh
On green, decided in the elevator
A founder of consequence presses red and walks the pitcher off. Or presses green and writes a cheque, live, in the elevator.
What's at stake
The stakes are real, the elevator is small.
Guests
Founders of consequence in the chair
Pitches
Sixty seconds each, no extensions
Days
6–7 June 2026, in Bengaluru
Studio
One elevator, one buzzer either side
Two days, one elevator, ten founders deciding red or green on the spot. The math is simple, the moment is not.
Past guests
Who's been in the lift
PMPratham Mittal
Founder, Masters' Union
SBSabeer Bhatia
Co-founder, Hotmail
VMVarun Mayya
Founder, Avalon Labs
ASAshish Singhal
Co-founder, CoinSwitch
Bengaluru's lineup will be announced over the next ten days.
Who should apply
The elevator is built for one shape of founder.
In
- Founders 25 or under
- Building a startup, ideation through revenue
- Annual revenue under ₹1 Crore
- Comfortable pitching live, on camera
- Able to make it to Bengaluru on 6 or 7 June
Not this round
- Founders over 25 (Masters of the Market is in build)
- Companies past ₹1 Crore (Scaled Founders is in build)
- People pitching someone else's idea
- Decks that need a 30-minute setup
Shoot day
What happens once you're in the building.
- 08:30
Arrive at the studio
Coffee, headshot, signed release. Sound check on the buzzers.
- 10:00
Doors open
First guest takes the stool. The lift readout goes live.
- 10:15
First pitch
Sixty seconds on the clock. Red, or green. No second chances.
- 13:00
Lunch on set
Pitchers and guests eat together. The elevator loosens up.
- 14:00
Afternoon block
Two more guests rotate in. Ten more pitches each.
- 19:30
Wrap, day one
Day two repeats with two new guests. Same lift, same stakes.
Frequently asked
The questions everyone asks first.
Who can apply?
Founders 25 or under, building a startup with annual revenue under ₹1 Crore. Ideation-stage qualifies.
Where is it shot?
Bengaluru, in a live studio. Travel and stay are on you, so apply only if you can make it to Bengaluru on 6 or 7 June.
What does Masters' Union take in exchange for the prize money?
Nothing. No equity, no royalty, no obligation. The ₹1 Lakh is unconditional if the green buzzer hits.
What if I'm 26 or older?
This edition is for founders 25 and under. Masters of the Market is a separate Masters' Union format built for operators at a different stage.
What if my startup is past ₹1 Crore in revenue?
Same answer. We're building a separate edition for scaled founders. Apply anyway, we'll route you to the right elevator.
Do I need a pitch deck?
No. Sixty seconds, voice and conviction. A deck is optional.
Last call
Step inside.
Sixty seconds is a long time when the cheque is real.
Open the liftApplications close 26 May 2026