In a bid to foster a culture of entrepreneurship among students, Delhi University (DU) has announced a new initiative that will allow its undergraduates and postgraduates to launch their own startups with full institutional support.
The programme will be implemented through the Design Innovation Centre (DIC) of DU’s Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC), which will provide students with mentorship, financial assistance and co-working spaces.
A Push for Student Innovation
The initiative, launched under the university’s Innovation and Startup Scheme Idea, expanded as Imagine, Design, Execute, Administer, seeks to empower students to transform innovative ideas into sustainable business ventures. According to DU officials, the goal is to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical innovation by offering a structured ecosystem for aspiring student entrepreneurs.
“Students will not only receive expert guidance but also access to financial support and workspace facilities so that their ideas don’t remain on paper,” a CIC faculty member said. “We want our students to see entrepreneurship as a viable career path, not just an academic exercise,” the official added.
Delhi University: Who Can Apply and How?
Applications for the programme are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students below the age of 30. Interested candidates can apply online through www.cic.du.ac.in until November 15.
After screening the online applications, shortlisted students will be invited for a business pitch on November 24, followed by a final selection round. Successful candidates will gain access to the CIC’s co-working space, mentorship sessions and funding opportunities to scale their startups.
Final-year undergraduate students will be encouraged to align their social service-based project ideas with their academic requirements, enabling them to earn credit while pursuing impact-driven ventures.
Mentorship Over Monetary Incentives
Each selected student or team will work closely with an assigned mentor for six months, receiving intensive training and expert feedback throughout the incubation period. On completion, participants will be awarded a certificate from the university recognising their efforts and learning outcomes.
However, officials have clarified that no stipend will be offered under the scheme. “This initiative is for students serious about innovation. They should be ready to put in the work to translate their concepts into market-ready products,” a CIC spokesperson noted.
Design Thinking Meets Business Execution
The DIC at DU’s Cluster Innovation Centre has long been engaged in projects focusing on design thinking, creative practices and emerging technologies. This new startup initiative is seen as a natural extension of that ecosystem, where design and innovation merge with entrepreneurship.
“Universities are no longer just about degrees; they’re about creating ecosystems of innovation,” said a senior academic associated with the programme. “This will give DU students a hands-on experience of what it takes to ideate, build and execute a business model from scratch.”
A Broader Trend Across Campuses
The announcement comes amid a wave of similar efforts across India’s higher education institutions to nurture entrepreneurship. From incubation hubs in IITs and IIMs to state-backed startup cells, universities are increasingly focusing on helping students become job creators rather than job seekers.
DU’s move adds the capital’s largest university network to that list. It also aligns with national goals under the Startup India initiative, which aims to support young innovators and expand the country’s entrepreneurial base.
With India witnessing a surge in student-led ventures, from sustainability-driven startups to tech innovations, programmes like DU’s startup scheme could provide the initial platform and credibility many young founders need.
The initiative signals a shift in academic priorities: encouraging students not just to study markets, but to enter them. For thousands of DU students dreaming beyond traditional career paths, this could be the nudge they’ve been waiting for.
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