On a winter morning in the capital, classrooms quietly gave way to conversations about customers, capital, and courage. The Campus to Market: Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026 wasn’t just another government-led event—it felt like a coming-of-age moment for hundreds of student founders who are ready to take their ideas beyond campus walls.
Hosted by the Government of NCT of Delhi through the Department of Training & Technical Education (DTTE), and organised in partnership with TiE Delhi-NCR, the festival brought together students, startup mentors, investors, policymakers, and educators under one roof. The shared goal was simple yet ambitious: help young innovators turn ideas born in classrooms into businesses built for the real world.
The presence of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, and Shri Ashish Sood, Hon’ble Minister for Education and Training & Technical Education, sent a clear message—student entrepreneurship is no longer a side conversation; it is central to Delhi’s growth story.
Speaking about India’s young population, Shri Jayant Chaudhary reflected on the shift underway in the country’s education system. He noted that India’s demographic advantage will only translate into real progress when young people are equipped with practical skills, exposure, and confidence to step beyond textbooks. The focus, he emphasised, must move from collecting degrees to building real capabilities through hands-on learning.
That sentiment resonated across the day. Smt. Rekha Gupta, addressing the gathering, highlighted how rapidly India’s startup landscape has evolved—from a few hundred startups a decade ago to over two lakh today. She pointed out that Delhi’s students already have the ideas and ambition needed to compete globally, and platforms like Startup Yuva exist to guide them from curiosity to company-building. With more than 750 students participating, the festival celebrated not just innovation, but the grit and optimism of young founders.
The festival opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by reflections from Shri Pandurang K. Pole, IAS, Secretary, DTTE, and Ms. Anjali Sehrawat, IAS, Director, DTTE. Both leaders stressed that talent alone is not enough—student founders need consistent institutional support, aligned policies, and access to the right ecosystems to succeed.
The energy on the floor was unmistakable. Student teams showcased startups across AI, sustainability, healthcare, education, social impact, and ITI-led innovations, eagerly explaining their ideas to mentors and investors. For many, this was the first time their projects were being evaluated as real businesses, not just academic exercises.
The day also featured candid conversations with founders who have walked the path before. Dr. Apurva Chamaria of Google spoke about the massive AI opportunity waiting for young builders, while Swati Bhargava, Co-Founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, shared lessons on earning consumer trust. Ankur Warikoo reminded students that entrepreneurship begins with personal leadership—long before funding and fame arrive.
One of the most anticipated moments came when Shri Ashish Sood announced the Top 100 shortlisted student startups, selected from over 750 applications across universities, colleges, ITIs, and schools in Delhi. He outlined how the government is backing entrepreneurship with action—through incubation, mentorship, and equity-free seed grants of up to ₹10 lakh, along with ₹1 lakh support for 100 early-stage startups. He also shared plans for a new ₹325 crore Startup Policy, aimed at supporting 5,000 startups by 2035.
Ecosystem partners echoed this collaborative spirit. Ms. Geetika Dayal, Director General of TiE Delhi-NCR, described Campus to Market as a platform where student ambition finally meets opportunity. She noted that with government backing and TiE’s global mentorship network, student founders now have a genuine launchpad to learn, experiment, and scale.
The spotlight later turned to the Top 6 startups—Biocare Ventures LLP (FlushSHE), AllSecureX, HeliousAI, Heuronics Pvt Ltd, Logify360, and Arista Vaulti—which received seed grants of up to ₹10 lakh each. For these young founders, the cheque handover marked more than financial support; it was validation that their ideas were ready for the market.
Post-lunch sessions kept the momentum alive, with Aloke Bajpai of ixigo sharing lessons from idea to IPO, and Satya Narayanan R of CL Educate speaking candidly about startup realities that never make it into textbooks.
The festival wrapped up with awards for the Top 100 institutions and incubators, acknowledging the educators and ecosystem builders working quietly behind the scenes. A parallel policy roundtable brought industry leaders and government officials together to discuss how Delhi’s startup policies can stay founder-friendly, flexible, and globally competitive.
With 75,000+ students engaged in entrepreneurship programmes, 550+ startups incubated through public institutions, and 15,000+ DPIIT-recognised startups, Delhi’s startup story is being written early—on campuses, in hostels, and inside classrooms. The Campus to Market: Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026 stands as a reminder that when young people are trusted with opportunity, they don’t just build startups—they build the future.
By : Arushi Agarwal
