Creane Memorial School crest
Cohort 1Creane Memorial School, Gaya
Only for students of Class 8 & 9

Fix something real.
We’ll fund it.

10 student crews from Class 8 & 9 get ₹10,000 each to test an idea in the real world: a problem in Gaya, or a small business people will pay for.

Learn the journey →Start applying
● Applications openApply by 24 NovemberTeams of 3–5
123456₹10,000 × 10Your boat →
Two tracks

Pick the river you want to sail.

Both tracks start the same way: with a real problem you’ve seen with your own eyes.

Track 1

Social impact in Gaya

Make life better for people around you.

  • Drains, shade, safety, health, learning: problems in your mohalla
  • Success = people’s lives get measurably better
Track 2

Entrepreneurship

Build something people will pay for.

  • A product or service your school, colony or market needs
  • Success = real customers paying real rupees
How it works

Four stops between you and ₹10,000.

1

Learn the journey

Eight short stops teach you how founders think. No forms, no pressure.

2

Go and talk to people

Find a real problem. Talk to at least 3 people who have it. Take photos.

3

Apply as a crew

Build a mixed team of 3–5, find an outside mentor, make a 2-minute video.

4

Get funded & build

10 crews get ₹10,000 and 2 months to build, with a weekly update. Best crew in each track wins ₹15,000 more.

Program timeline

From your first idea to the prize.

Apply by 24 November. If your crew is selected, you get 2 months, a mentor and a team dashboard to post your progress every week.

  1. 1
    24 November 2026

    Application deadline

    Submit by 11:59 pm. After that the form closes on its own.

  2. 2
    30 November 2026

    Selected teams announced

    On WhatsApp and in the school assembly.

  3. 3
    After selection

    WhatsApp group for selected teams

    All 10 crews, their mentors and the TinkerFund team in one place.

  4. 4
    Every week

    Weekly progress update

    A short update on your team dashboard: what you did, what was hard, what’s next.

  5. 5
    End of month 1

    Monthly summary

    Progress so far, what you spent from the grant, results and lessons.

  6. 6
    End of 2 months

    Final project report

    Your achievements, impact, spending and plans to keep going. Then we close the program.

  7. 7
    After evaluation

    ₹15,000 prizes

    The best team in each track wins an extra ₹15,000.

See the full program and reporting →

Prizes & support

₹15,000 more for the best crew in each track.

Both prizes are on top of the ₹10,000 seed grant every selected team gets.

Entrepreneurship
₹15,000

Bonus prize for the best team, to keep its venture going.

Social impact
₹15,000

Prize for the best team making a measurable social impact.

You won’t be alone

Support for every selected crew

₹10,000 seed grantFor every selected team, to run its project.
Your mentorA 10-minute call every week, and help when you’re stuck.
WhatsApp groupAll selected crews and the TinkerFund team, for quick questions.
@
Questions?Email rjanmm@gmail.com
The rules

Simple, and the same for everyone.

  • ✓ Cohort 1 is only for students of Class 8 & 9 at Creane Memorial School.
  • ✓ Crews of 3 to 5 students. Mixing sections and classes is encouraged.
  • ✓ Submit by 24 November 2026, 11:59 pm. After that the form closes automatically.
  • ✓ One outside mentor is required: not a parent, teacher or cousin.
  • ✓ Budget of ₹10,000 or less, with a ₹1,500 buffer for surprises already included.
  • ✓ Write in English, Hindi or Hinglish. We care about thinking, not grammar.
  • ✕ One student, one team. If your roll number is already in a submitted team, you can’t join another.
  • ✕ Submit once. After you submit, the application is locked. No edits, no take-backs.
What a strong application looks like
  • 1 A small, specific problem you’ve seen with your own eyes.
  • 2 Proof: photos and words from real people who have it.
  • 3 A 2-week test with a number that says “it worked”.
  • 4 A crew that’s different from each other, plus a mentor who said yes.

No experience? Perfect. This is how you get some. Your first real project goes on your profile.

Questions

Things people ask.

Who can apply?
Cohort 1 is only for students of Class 8 & 9 at Creane Memorial School, Gaya. Every crew member gives their class, section and roll number.
What is the last date?
24 November 2026, 11:59 pm. After that you can’t start, edit or submit an application, so don’t leave it to the last day.
Do we need a business idea first?
No. Start with a problem. Ideas that start from a real problem are much stronger. The Learn journey shows you how to find one.
Can our team have students from different sections or classes?
Yes, please! We encourage mixed crews from Class 8 & 9. Different backgrounds see different things.
Can I be in two teams?
No. Each student (class + section + roll number) can be in only one submitted team. The system blocks duplicates automatically.
Who can be our mentor?
You need one outside mentor: a shop owner, doctor, engineer, neighbour or distant relative. Not a parent, teacher or cousin. You can also add one teacher (not your class teacher) and one parent.
What if I don’t have an email?
Use a parent’s email. You don’t need email to log in: you get a team code and choose a 6-digit PIN.
Can we edit after submitting?
No. Take your time: you can save, come back, and fill sections in any order. Submit only when everything is ready.
When are results announced?
30 November 2026, on WhatsApp and in the school assembly.
What happens if we are selected?
You get ₹10,000 and 2 months to build, with your mentor on call and a WhatsApp group with the TinkerFund team. You post a short update on your team dashboard every week, a monthly summary, and a final report at the end.
What can we win?
The best team in Entrepreneurship and the best team in Social impact each win ₹15,000 more, on top of the ₹10,000 seed grant.
Who do we contact with questions?
Email rjanmm@gmail.com.

Your boat is waiting.

Start with the journey. It takes about 30 minutes and you’ll know exactly what to do next.

Start the journey →I’m ready to apply