Catalyst 2.0: Startup Law & Policy Summit 2025 by CNLU: Register by June 15

About the Organisation

The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Legal Entrepreneurship (CIILE) at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in legal and social sectors. The Startup Cell, established under the Bihar Startup Policy 2022, focuses on mentoring, funding, and institutional support for budding entrepreneurs, and has been ranked 3rd among startup cells in Bihar.

About Catalyst 2.0

Catalyst 2.0: Startup Law & Policy Summit 2025 aims to critically explore the role of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) in startup growth and exit strategies. With a focus on legal frameworks, valuation challenges, due diligence, and regulatory compliance, the summit bridges academic research and industry practice. Eminent experts, investors, legal professionals, and startup founders will participate in the discourse.

Event Structure

• Abstract Submission (Extended): 15th June 2025
• Final Manuscript Submission: 30th June 2025
• Final Results Announcement: 18th July 2025
• Summit & Presentations (Phase II): 17th August 2025 at CNLU Campus

Prizes and Awards

• Winner: ₹35,000 Cash + Internship with Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) + Trophy + Certificate + Gold Medal
• Runner-Up: ₹25,000 Cash + Internship with NDA + Trophy + Certificate + Silver Medal
• Top 6 Authors: Invited for Paper Presentation at CNLU
• Top 15 Manuscripts: Selected for publication in ISBN Book
• Certificates of Merit & Achievement for selected authors
• (Internships are subject to NDA’s discretion regarding office location and team.)

Themes

• Broadly focused on Startup M\&A, including:
• Regulatory Compliance in Indian & Cross-Border Deals
• FDI and Antitrust Issues
•  Cybersecurity, Data Protection, & IP in M\&A
•  ESOPs, Term Sheets, Founders’ Rights
•  Valuation, Due Diligence, Taxation, Reverse Mergers

  (Full list of 20 themes available in the brochure.)

Publication & Presentation

• Top 15 papers will be published with ISBN
• Top 6 teams will present before an expert jury
•  Manuscripts should be 2500–3000 words; Abstract: 150–250 words
• Eligibility
• Open to students (UG/PG/PhD) from any recognized Indian university. Teams can consist of up to 2 authors. Cross-institution teams allowed.

Submission Guidelines

• Language: English only
•  Format: MS Word (.doc/.docx), TNR font, 12 pt., 1.5 spacing
• Citation: Harvard Bluebook (20th Ed.), footnotes only
• Plagiarism/AI: Strictly prohibited; 10% limit
• Abstract + Manuscript to be submitted via Google Form link

Registration Fee

• Single Author 
  • For Non-CNLU students -₹900    
  • For CNLU students- ₹600  
• Co-Authors      
  • For Non-CNLU students -₹1600     
  • For CNLU Students-  ₹1000     
  • Finalists pay an additional ₹2000 each for food & accommodation.

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Student Coordinators:

• Aarya Gurjar: +91 9009503119
• Khushi Gupta: +91 9931431012
• Adil Ameen: +91 9650732132