Bridgers, an integrated communications agency, has officially signed a strategic agreement with Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kanpur to serve as the official media partner for UpStart 2026, E-Cell, IIT Kanpur’s flagship national business model competition. Marking the second consecutive year of this collaboration, the mandate tasks Bridgers with managing media relations, narrative strategy, and multi-channel outreach to spotlight emerging startups across India.
UpStart 2026 moves beyond standard pitching formats by taking early-stage ventures through multiple rigorous screening rounds, structured brainstorming sessions, and intensive face-to-face mentoring. The national rounds are scheduled across four major economic hubs: Delhi on 10 October, Bangalore and Hyderabad on 24 October, and Mumbai on 5 December 2026.
Shortlisted startups from each regional leg will advance to exclusive one-on-one mentorship sessions before pitching at the UpStart Finale, hosted as part of E-Summit 2026 at the IIT Kanpur campus.
Kumar Anubhav – Founder of Bridgers, said, “Collaborating with Entrepreneurship Cell, IIT Kanpur for another year reinforces our long term commitment to the Indian startup ecosystem. UpStart has consistently demonstrated a practical, mentorship driven framework that prepares founders for institutional scale.
“Our role as the official media partner is to provide structured communications, strategic media alignment, and sustained visibility for both the platform and the high potential ventures emerging through the competition,” Anubhav added.
Gunjan – Manager-Events – Entrepreneurship Cell – IIT Kanpur, said, “We are pleased to partner once again with Bridgers as our official media partner for UpStart 2026. Our objective at E-Cell, IIT Kanpur is to support the country’s early-stage ventures with deep industry mentorship and investor access. Having a dedicated communication agency ensures that the accomplishments and real-world solutions developed by our participating founders receive the national media attention they deserve.”
As part of the mandate, Bridgers will oversee communication delivery across both digital and conventional media channels, engaging national and regional press throughout the city rounds in Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The agency will coordinate media interactions for finalists, run strategic narrative campaigns, and provide reputation management to expand the event’s reach across the wider venture capital and startup ecosystem.
