Next Gen Minds Competition Challenges India’s Brightest Young Innovators in an AI-Driven World

Bangalore, 27th March, 2025 – As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries worldwide, JAGSoM is proud to announce the launch of Next Gen Minds, a national competition designed to showcase human creativity and innovation in an increasingly automated world. This entrepreneurial challenge invites undergraduate students and recent graduates to prove that human ingenuity remains unmatched even as technology advances.

Next Gen Minds goes beyond traditional case competitions by challenging participants to push boundaries and create bold solutions at the intersection of business, technology, and social impact. The competition serves as a platform for ambitious students to showcase their business understanding and innovative thinking on a national stage.

Dr. Venkatesh Sunkad, Director at JAGSoM, emphasized the competition’s role in promoting innovation, “Next Gen Minds is not just a case competition—it is a platform to inspire young minds to think beyond conventional solutions and embrace the challenges of an AI-driven world. At JAGSoM, we believe that human ingenuity, creativity, and strategic thinking are irreplaceable. This competition is a testament to our commitment to nurturing future leaders who can seamlessly integrate technology and business to drive meaningful impact.”

The competition offers substantial rewards, including cash prizes totaling ₹1,75,000, with the winning team receiving ₹1,00,000. Additionally, top performers will have access to scholarship opportunities worth up to ₹50 lakh for JAGSoM programs, along with valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders and entrepreneurs.

Eligibility for the competition includes undergraduate students graduating in 2025 and 2026, as well as recent graduates from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 batches. Participants must be pursuing or have completed eligible courses such as BBA/BMS, B.Com, B.Sc, BCA, or B.Tech. Teams can consist of one to three members and can be formed across different courses, colleges, and graduation years.

Commenting on JAGSoM’s Next-Gen Minds Competition 2025, the CEO and Founder of Apna, Nirmit Parikh, stated, “At Apna, our mission goes beyond employment – we aim to empower early talent with the skills, resources, and mindset to become future leaders and entrepreneurs. Initiatives like JAGSoM’s Next-Gen Minds 2025 are instrumental in nurturing this spirit of innovation, providing students with a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial vision. We are excited to collaborate with JAGSoM and celebrate the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

The competition will unfold in three rounds, beginning with an Online MCQ Assessment on April 2, 2025. In this preliminary round, team leaders will attempt 30 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes, focusing on data interpretation, logical reasoning, and critical thinking. Teams that advance will participate in Round 2 from April 4-11, 2025, where they will submit a structured case solution of maximum 2,500 words.

For the grand finale on April 27, 2025, the top-performing teams will be invited to JAGSoM Campus in Bengaluru to present their detailed case solutions to a distinguished jury. The finalist’s presentations will be evaluated based on originality, practicality, impact, business viability, and clarity of presentation.

With over 3,900 registered participants already, Next Gen Minds is poised to be one of India’s most competitive student events of the year. Registration is free and will remain open until April 1, 2025.

For more information and to register, visit  https://apna.co/contests/JAGSoM-Next-Gen-Minds-2025

The Next Gen Minds competition represents JAGSoM’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of business leaders who can navigate the complex intersection of technology and human innovation. By providing this national platform, JAGSoM aims to identify and develop talent that will shape India’s future in an AI-driven world.

As technology continues to evolve, competitions like Next Gen Minds highlight the enduring value of human creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, skills that remain irreplaceable even in an age of advanced artificial intelligence.