Chennai · Class 9–12 · 18 Oct–6 Dec 2026

Build it.
Brand it.
Sell it.

Eight weeks to turn an idea into a real D2C venture—with a product, a brand, customers and revenue.

Start your application ↗ Explore the journey ↓

YOUR BRAND STARTS
HERE D2C / 2026

STORE LIVE

FIRST SALE +₹

DEMO DAY ↗

REAL PRODUCTS✦REAL CUSTOMERS✦REAL REVENUE✦REAL MENTORS✦ REAL PRODUCTS✦REAL CUSTOMERS✦REAL REVENUE✦REAL MENTORS✦

018 weeks

Intensive venture building

025 per team

Build with complementary skills

03₹40K funding

Provided by IVB per team

04₹2L goal

Minimum revenue target

THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS-PLAN CONTEST

You won’t just learn how a business works. You’ll build one.

IVB’s D2C Lab is an intensive, hands-on experience where Chennai students in Classes 9–12 build, launch and grow a direct-to-consumer brand.

Participants identify a product, find suppliers, create a visual identity, launch an ecommerce store, acquire customers and sell online and offline.

◇

Find

Discover a product and supplier.

✦

Brand

Create positioning and identity.

□

Launch

Build the store and campaigns.

↗

Grow

Sell, optimise and pitch.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Curious students ready to make things happen.

You don’t need a finished idea or previous business experience. D2C Lab is for builders, creators, problem-solvers and future founders studying in Classes 9–12 in Chennai.

PRODUCTDESIGNMARKETINGTECHSALESFINANCE

THE ROAD TO DEMO DAY

Eight weeks.
One real venture.

Scroll through the complete path from discovering a product to selling at EA Mall and presenting to investors.

SUN · 18 OCT

Find the opportunity

D2C business models, unit economics, product identification and supplier discovery.

Team mission: Finalise product and supplier

24–25 OCT

Build the brand system

Product approval, Shopify, Shiprocket, Razorpay, brand positioning and visual identity.

Team mission: Set up the brand and store

31 OCT–1 NOV

Go to market

Content creation, organic social, influencer marketing, Meta ads and performance marketing.

Team mission: Establish online campaigns

NOV · WEEKS 1–2

Sell everywhere

Diwali break with virtual sessions on affiliate marketing, B2B sales and related topics.

Team mission: Sell online and offline

SUN · 15 NOV

Optimise and scale

Growth hacking and performance optimisation across operations and sales.

Team mission: Improve performance

SUN · 22 NOV

Prepare the pitch

Learn to set up and sell at flea markets, then shape an investor-ready pitch.

Team mission: Prepare for the flea market

SUN · 29 NOV

Flea Market at EA Mall

Take the brand into the real world and sell directly to customers.

Team mission: Prepare final presentation

SUN · 6 DEC

Demo Day

Present the venture, results and story in the final investor pitch.

The finish line—and a new beginning

HOW IT WORKS

Serious support.
Real-world stakes.

Hybrid format

Weekly offline workshops at IVB’s Chennai campus, supported by daily virtual mentoring.

Expert mentors

Learn with experts from the D2C and startup ecosystem throughout the build.

Real funding

Each five-person team begins with ₹40,000 in funding from IVB.

Real outcomes

Build entrepreneurial skills, a stronger profile and an active business.

THE TARGET

Build toward a minimum revenue goal of

₹0

FROM ₹0

TO ₹2 LAKH

CHENNAI
BUILDERS
WELCOME

CONDUCTED BY IVB

Real education through building real business.

The Institute of Venture Building is a new-generation college in Chennai that grooms entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs through real-world building, mentorship and industry exposure.

The D2C Lab brings that learning-by-building approach to school students in Classes 9–12.

Visit IVB’s official website ↗

QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Everything you need
to know.

01What is IVB D2C Lab?+

An intensive eight-week venture-building experience in which students create, launch and grow a real direct-to-consumer brand.

02Who can participate?+

Students studying in Classes 9–12 in Chennai can participate.

03When does it take place?+

The program runs from 18 October to 6 December 2026.

04What is the program format?+

It is hybrid: weekly offline sessions at the IVB campus in Chennai plus daily virtual mentoring.

05How large is each team?+

Each participating team consists of five students.

06What is the program fee?+

The program fee is ₹40,000 per student.

07Does IVB provide funding?+

Yes. IVB provides ₹40,000 in funding per team to begin building the D2C venture.

08What is the final revenue goal?+

Teams aim to generate a minimum of ₹2 lakh in revenue by the end of the program.

09How does the program conclude?+

Teams sell at a flea market in EA Mall and conclude with final presentations and investor pitches at Demo Day.

10What will participants take away?+

Participants gain entrepreneurial skills, real operating experience, a stronger profile and an active business. The program also offers additional pathways to admission and scholarships for IVB’s undergraduate program.

APPLICATION

Your venture starts right here.

Complete the application below. A parent or guardian should be available for the final step.

↗

Classes 9–12
Chennai · 2026

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STEP 1 OF 3Tell us about the student

Full name * Class * School name * Student email * Student phone * Area in Chennai *

STEP 2 OF 3How do you want to build?

Are you applying individually or with a team? * Why do you want to join D2C Lab? *0 / 750 How did you hear about D2C Lab?

STEP 3 OF 3Parent or guardian details

Parent/guardian name * Relationship * Parent/guardian email * Parent/guardian phone *