Delhi Launches Startup Festival to Boost Student Entrepreneurship

The Delhi Government has initiated a significant shift in its educational approach by launching the ‘Campus to Market – Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026’ at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre. The event marks a move away from a degree-centric model towards one that emphasizes entrepreneurship, skills, and innovation. This initiative brings together 11 universities, 12 colleges, and 19 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) on a single platform, aimed at fostering a structured pathway for student ideas to transition from classrooms to the marketplace.

To further support budding entrepreneurs, the government announced that the top six startups will receive equity-free grants of Rs 10 lakh each, while another 100 startups will be awarded Rs 1 lakh each as seed assistance. According to Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood, this initiative is closely linked to the upcoming Delhi Startup Policy, which proposes an outlay of Rs 325 crore over the next five years. The policy’s goal is to facilitate the emergence of 5,000 startups by 2035 through various support mechanisms, including incubation, funding, industry connections, and market access.

The minister emphasized that Delhi is already establishing a robust startup ecosystem within its educational institutions. Currently, more than 75,000 students and young innovators are engaged in entrepreneurship programs in higher and technical education. Approximately 470 startups are being incubated in government institutions, generating between Rs 500 crore and Rs 600 crore in revenue. Each startup reportedly creates an average of four to five direct jobs, showcasing the tangible benefits of this entrepreneurial focus.

Support for Innovation at All Levels

The emphasis on entrepreneurship extends beyond higher education. At the school level, the NEEEV curriculum has introduced structured support for innovation, leading to the funding of 5,000 student teams, each receiving Rs 20,000, amounting to a total of Rs 10 crore in seed funding. This financial support aims to nurture student ideas and innovations rather than promotional activities.

During the festival, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted the emergence of Delhi’s students as job creators. She stated that the government is actively working to integrate education, skills, and enterprise with the aim of positioning the Capital as a leading startup hub. Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary also underscored the critical role of youth in realizing India’s potential, stressing that skills and real-world exposure must take precedence over traditional textbook learning.

Delhi Technological University Shines at the Festival

Delhi Technological University (DTU) made a notable impact at the festival, with its incubated startups demonstrating outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship. Two DTU startups, AllSecureX and Heuronics Pvt Ltd, were among the top six startups recognized at the event, each receiving Rs 10 lakh from Chief Minister Gupta. Additionally, several other DTU startups were acknowledged among the top 100, receiving Rs 1 lakh each. These included notable names such as Garg Defence and Aerospace, Get Your Fit, and MomentuM AI.

Prof Prateek Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of DTU, spoke about the university’s commitment to harnessing the creativity and technical skills of students to drive meaningful innovations. This emphasis on entrepreneurship not only enhances the educational landscape but also contributes to the economic development of Delhi as a burgeoning startup ecosystem.