Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – LIVE ASTRAL FELLOWSHIP
 

1. What is the LIVE ASTRAL Fellowship?
The LIVE ASTRAL Fellowship is a 6-month high-intensity student startup program by IIMK LIVE, designed to help students transform early ideas into validated, execution-ready startup ventures with real-world social, economic, or policy impact.

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2. Who can apply for the LIVE ASTRAL Fellowship?
The fellowship is open to students currently enrolled at IIM Kozhikode across eligible programs who are interested in entrepreneurship and working on innovative problem-solving ideas.

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3. What stage of ideas or startups are eligible?
Students at the idea stage or early validation stage are encouraged to apply. Prior incorporation or revenue is not mandatory.

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4. How long is the fellowship duration?
The LIVE ASTRAL Fellowship runs for 6 months, structured across ideation, validation, MVP development, pilot testing, and demo day.

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5. How many students will be selected?
A cohort of 15 students will be selected for each fellowship cycle.

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6. Is there any financial support provided?
Yes. Selected fellows receive a paid fellowship/stipend, with a total stipend outlay of ₹4,00,000. Additionally, training, boot camps, and ecosystem support are fully covered.

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7. Is funding guaranteed for all selected fellows?
No. While the fellowship provides stipend support, further funding is performance-based. The Top 3 students may be recommended to the GENESIS EiR Fellowship Selection Committee, and 1 student may receive funding, subject to committee evaluation.

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8. What kind of training will fellows receive?
Fellows will undergo structured training including:

• Idea Validation Boot Camp (Bouncer)

• Investor Readiness Program (Fund Quest)

• Design thinking, business modeling, finance, branding, and pitching workshops
   

9. Is mentorship part of the program?
Yes. Each fellow will receive continuous mentorship from IIMK LIVE mentors, faculty advisors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts throughout the program.

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10. Will fellows build an MVP during the program?
Yes. Fellows are expected to develop an MVP or prototype, test it with real users, and iterate based on feedback.
 

11. Does the program include pilot implementation?
Yes. In the later stages, fellows will run pilot implementations to test impact, traction, and feasibility in real-world settings.
 

12. What happens at the end of the fellowship?
The program concludes with:

• Demo Day presentations

• Final evaluations

• Graduation ceremony

• Recommendations for IIMK LIVE incubation and external funding pipelines
   

13. Is the program conducted online or offline?
The fellowship follows a hybrid format, combining in-person engagements at campus and virtual sessions for flexibility.
 

14. Is there any application fee?
No. There is no fee to apply for the LIVE ASTRAL Fellowship.
 

15. How can I apply for the fellowship?
Applications can be submitted through the official IIMK LIVE channels as announced. Applicants must provide details about their idea and motivation.
 

16. What is the selection process?
Applications are screened based on:

• Problem relevance

• Innovation potential

• Feasibility and impact
  Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or pitch interactions.
   

17. Can teams apply, or only individuals?
The fellowship primarily focuses on individual student innovators, though collaborative ideas may be considered based on program guidelines.
 

18. How is confidentiality handled?
All submitted ideas and information will be treated as strictly confidential and accessed only by the evaluation and mentor teams.
 

19. Will fellows get access to the IIMK LIVE ecosystem?
Yes. Fellows gain access to the IIMK LIVE startup ecosystem, including mentors, investors, alumni founders, and incubation pathways.
 

20. Who should I contact for further queries?
For any clarification or assistance, applicants may contact the program coordinator at IIMK LIVE through the official communication channels.