New Delhi, January 9, 2026: The Delhi government on Friday inaugurated the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026 at Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), a landmark initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among students. The event brought together students, industry mentors, startup founders, investors, and policymakers under a single platform, emphasizing the role of young innovators in shaping the country’s economic and technological future.

Speaking at the launch, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood highlighted the pivotal role that students play as drivers of innovation, urging educational institutions to actively connect campuses with markets and industry stakeholders. “Universities today are no longer just centres of academic instruction,” Sood said. “They are emerging as hubs of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technological development. The Startup Yuva Festival aims to convert student ideas into market-ready products, creating meaningful impact for society.”

From Academic Learning to Entrepreneurship

Sood underscored the changing landscape of higher education in India, where academic institutions increasingly serve as incubators for new business ideas and entrepreneurial ventures. “Students possess immense creativity and untapped potential,” he said. “By fostering an ecosystem that nurtures these ideas, we can transform India’s startups into globally competitive enterprises.” The minister stressed the need for strong linkages between academic research, mentorship, investment, and market opportunities.

He also pointed to India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem, noting that prior to 2014, the country had limited engagement in this sector. Since then, policy-driven reforms and government initiatives have propelled India to become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 125 unicorns and over 1.97 lakh DPIIT-recognized startups. This growth, he said, reflects both the entrepreneurial energy of the youth and the enabling policy environment created by successive governments.

Women Entrepreneurs Driving Inclusive Growth

Minister Sood highlighted the significant role of women-led startups in the Indian economy. According to him, nearly 45 percent of Indian startups are led by women, demonstrating how entrepreneurship can be a potent tool for social and economic transformation. “Women-led ventures have been pivotal in generating employment, fostering community development, and promoting inclusive growth,” he noted.

The minister emphasized that fostering student entrepreneurship is not merely about business creation but also about transforming society and addressing social challenges. He urged universities to provide platforms where students from diverse backgrounds, including women and underrepresented groups, can access mentorship, funding, and technical support.

Delhi’s Vision for Student Innovation

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government is working to position the capital as a hub for student-led innovation and startups. The Startup Yuva Festival is envisioned as an annual event, bringing together educational institutions, mentors, investors, and industry stakeholders to create an integrated ecosystem that nurtures early-stage ventures.

The festival is designed not only to showcase student ideas but also to provide hands-on mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to investors. Sood emphasized that by connecting students directly with industry experts, startups can move faster from ideation to commercialization.

Impact of Delhi Government Entrepreneurship Programs

The minister noted that over 75,000 students are currently participating in Delhi government-supported entrepreneurship programs, reflecting an annual growth rate of approximately 30 percent. More than 470 startups are being incubated across sectors such as healthcare, sustainability, technology, and manufacturing. Early-stage startups, he added, are already generating four to five jobs within their first year, underscoring the tangible economic impact of student entrepreneurship initiatives.

Delhi Startup Policy 2025

In line with these efforts, Sood announced the government’s proposal for the Delhi Startup Policy 2025, with a planned outlay of ₹325 crore over five years. The policy aims to support 5,000 startups by 2035 and will include the creation of the Delhi Student Seed Fund to assist early-stage ventures.

The proposed policy framework provides equity-free seed grants to selected startups. Under the scheme, six startupswill receive grants of ₹10 lakh each, while 100 student startups will be awarded ₹1 lakh each to help transform their ideas into viable businesses. The government hopes that this initiative will incentivize students to pursue innovative projects and take entrepreneurial risks without fear of financial constraints.

Encouraging Risk-Taking and Meaningful Innovation

Minister Sood emphasized the importance of focusing on meaningful innovation rather than avoiding risks. “Some of the most successful startups in India have emerged from university campuses and hostels,” he said. “The key is to encourage students to think boldly, experiment, and explore new ideas that can have a real-world impact.”

He also highlighted the need for mentorship and industry collaboration, stating that startups often face challenges in areas such as product development, marketing, and market access. “The government’s role is to facilitate these connections, enabling students to access guidance, funding, and networks that can accelerate their journey from concept to market,” Sood said.

A Platform for Collaboration

The Startup Yuva Festival is designed to be more than a showcase of ideas; it is intended as a collaborative ecosystemwhere students, universities, investors, and industry leaders can interact. Panels, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring sessions will allow students to refine their ideas, receive feedback, and connect with potential investors. By integrating academic learning with practical entrepreneurship support, the festival aims to bridge the gap between campus innovation and market implementation.

Government Support and Long-Term Goals

The Delhi government’s long-term vision is to position the city as a national and global hub for student entrepreneurship, leveraging the city’s educational institutions and vibrant youth population. By providing structured support, mentorship, and funding, the government hopes to cultivate a culture of innovation, risk-taking, and social impact among students.

In addition to financial support, the government is also exploring ways to provide infrastructure, incubation spaces, and legal and technical advisory services for student startups. This multi-pronged approach is aimed at ensuring that student-led ventures can thrive and scale effectively.

Conclusion

The launch of the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026 marks a significant step in the Delhi government’s efforts to foster a robust, student-driven innovation ecosystem. By bringing together educational institutions, industry mentors, investors, and students, the government aims to create a platform that not only supports entrepreneurial ventures but also encourages a culture of innovation and problem-solving among the youth.

As Delhi continues to position itself as a hub for technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation, initiatives like the Startup Yuva Festival and the proposed Delhi Startup Policy 2025 are expected to provide financial, technical, and strategic support to thousands of student entrepreneurs, enabling them to transform their ideas into market-ready solutions that contribute to both economic growth and societal development.

Through structured mentorship, seed funding, and industry collaboration, the festival is set to empower students to lead India’s next wave of innovation, ensuring that campuses become incubators of transformative ideas and startups capable of addressing real-world challenges.

---