New Delhi, India is In a landmark move to empower India’s next-generation entrepreneurs, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, inaugurated Chandigarh University’s ‘Campus Tank’, the nation’s largest university-led startup launchpad, at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. The initiative, designed to nurture student innovators, is powered by Chandigarh University in collaboration with Apna, India’s leading job portal, and Venture Catalysts, a prominent venture capital fund.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Singh emphasized the pivotal role of youth in shaping a “Viksit Bharat by 2047.” He said, “Today’s youth is the architect of India’s future. With the right opportunities, encouragement, and access to resources, young innovators can drive transformational change across sectors, from technology to agriculture and space.”
The Campus Tank offers a dedicated funding pool of USD 6 million for innovators under 30, providing not just capital, but mentorship, strategic ecosystem partnerships, and immersive incubation support. “North India, traditionally focused on government employment, now has a powerful platform to drive entrepreneurship and unlock its full potential,” Dr Singh added. Highlighting India’s remarkable growth in innovation, he noted that over 1.8 lakh startups operate in the country, with 60% led by women, and India now ranks 39th globally in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024.
The event brought together distinguished leaders, including Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Prof (Dr) TG Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, and Dr Apoorv Ranjan Sharma, Co-Founder of Venture Catalysts. Sandhu reflected on India’s startup ecosystem, citing the government’s initiatives like Startup India and the Fund of Funds for Startups, which have propelled India into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem with over 1.89 lakh startups and 119 unicorns. “Campus Tank aims to empower university students to transform ideas into high-impact startups, creating job opportunities and contributing to economic growth,” he said.
Since its inception in 2012, Chandigarh University has fostered over 150 student-led startups across 27 domains. Its Technology Business Incubator (CU-TBI) has filed 1,126 patents in 2023-24 alone, ranking first among scientific research organizations in India. Over the last five years, CU filed 2,581 patents, securing a third-place ranking among Indian universities, reflecting a strong culture of innovation and intellectual property development.
The launch also saw participation from 50 startups across industries such as HealthTech, AI DeepTech, and Real Estate, including Nesthome, Tranquil AI, Doctorlab, 256 Bits Studio, and Chem0. Siddharth Anand, Associate Director, Enterprise Marketing at Apna, highlighted the nationwide engagement, noting that Campus Tank registered over 20,000 young founders from 28 states and six union territories, with 35% women participants, demonstrating inclusivity and the democratization of entrepreneurship.
By providing mentorship, funding, and a collaborative ecosystem, Campus Tank positions Chandigarh University as a catalyst for India’s next wave of student entrepreneurs, bridging the gap between ideas, innovation, and real-world impact, and supporting the government’s vision of a thriving entrepreneurial India by 2047.
Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade, QS World-Ranked autonomous university located in Punjab. Offering over 109 UG and PG programs across engineering, management, law, architecture, and more, CU has earned accolades for best placements and innovation-led education. Visit www.cuchd.in for more information
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