Edited By
David Chen

As the participants of Fund My Crazy 2026 await news, confusion spreads about the shortlist notifications. Submissions closed on September 15, and participants were led to believe shortlist emails would go out on September 16-17. Itโs now September 18, raising questions about the timeline and next steps.
Players in this initiative are on edge, wondering if the shortlist emails have been sent out or if theyโre still in progress. One participant expressed frustration, stating, "Did the shortlist emails already go out?" Many others joined the conversation, seeking updates on their applications.
According to insiders, notifications were likely targeted based on initial vetting. It seems those who received confirmation are the ones whose ideas passed through an initial AI screening. As one commenter observed, "The people who got this mail are the ones whose idea proved to be non-political and followed the competition rules."
Those reportedly shortlisted will enter a Build in Public phase from September 18-21, where the top 50 ideas will be refined with the help of mentors. "The Top 50 will get three days to research and sharpen their ideas," insiders confirmed.
After the initial phase, the top 10 ideas will be announced on September 25, leading to the grand finale on October 1 at IIT Delhi where contestants will pitch in front of judges, with โน1 Crore at stake.
Shortlist Uncertainty: Participants are anxious over the announcement timeline and how selection works.
AI Involvement: Thereโs growing awareness that AI is involved in filtering entries before human judges see them.
Mentorship Anticipation: Many are excited about the opportunity to develop their ideas further with expert guidance.
"Sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones worth pursuing." - Team Fund My Crazy
๐ค"Did anyone get the selection email for the top 50?"
๐ฌ "I seem to figure out the actual timeline of the competition"
๐ "Thank you for this information."
๐ Sept 15: Submission deadline
๐ง Sept 16-17: Shortlist notifications likely sent
๐ Sept 18-21: Build in Public phase begins for confirmed top 50
๐ค Sept 25: Announcement of the top 10 ideas
๐ค Oct 1: Live pitches at IIT Delhi
Participants are encouraged to check their inboxes regularly as developments unfold. The excitement and anxiety continue to build as the first event kicks off.
As the shortlist notifications pour in, expectations seem high for those selected in the top 50. Many insiders suggest thereโs a strong chance that the Build in Public phase will yield innovations that could significantly shape the final outcomes. The next few days will be crucial as participants refine their ideas, and experts estimate around a 70% probability that several concepts will pivot towards more socially impactful projects, considering the themes emerging from community chat boards. Additionally, the top 10 announcements on September 25 could spark further interest from investors, resulting in elevated stakes leading to the grand finale at IIT Delhi on October 1.
The excitement around Fund My Crazy 2026 brings to mind the early days of the tech startup boom in Silicon Valley. Back in the 2000s, numerous unknown innovators used pitch competitions as launchpads, similar to how these participants are now vying for recognition. However, not every good idea garnered immediate attention, much like how some pitch failures led to unexpected industry shifts, igniting trends down the line that reshaped the tech landscape. This mirrors the current scenario where the drive for creativity and innovation is at a peak, and sometimes itโs the overlooked concepts that could lead to the next big breakthrough.