New Delhi, January 14, 2026
Reinforcing its push to position the national capital as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, the Delhi Government on Wednesday inaugurated the ‘Campus to Market – Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026’ at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Organised by the Directorate of Training and Technical Education under the Delhi Government, the festival brought together young innovators, students, teachers, investors and startup founders from universities, colleges and technical institutions across the capital.
During the event, the Union Minister and the Chief Minister interacted extensively with student entrepreneurs and startup founders, reviewed an exhibition showcasing student-led innovations, and discussed ideas, prototypes and business models emerging from educational institutions. The exhibition highlighted a wide range of innovations focused on technology, sustainability, social impact and market-driven solutions. Education Minister Ashish Sood and several other dignitaries were also present.
Jayant Chaudhary said that India’s greatest strength lies in its youth population, which gives the country immense working potential. However, he noted that the true advantage of this demographic dividend can only be realised when young people are provided with opportunities, their abilities are recognised and their skills are nurtured. He pointed out that earlier, the education system largely favoured textbook-based learning, often sidelining students who did not fit into conventional academic structures. Universities too, he said, focused mainly on degrees rather than practical exposure.
He added that this mindset is now undergoing a transformation under the National Education Policy. According to him, the country no longer needs only formal qualifications, but competence, skills and real-world capabilities. Skill-based education, experiential learning and exposure to industry are essential to prepare youth for the future, he said, emphasising that platforms like the Startup Yuva Festival play a crucial role in bridging the gap between education and enterprise.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that today’s youth is no longer limited to the role of a job seeker but is increasingly becoming a job creator. She said student-led startups in Delhi are demonstrating remarkable creativity and innovation, offering practical solutions to contemporary social, environmental and technological challenges. She credited the strong startup ecosystem developed at the national level for providing young people with the policies, platforms and support required to convert ideas into enterprises.
The Chief Minister said the Delhi Government is working rapidly to integrate education, skill development and entrepreneurship, with the aim of making Delhi the Startup Capital of India. She urged young innovators to adopt a solutions-driven approach, adding that innovation rooted in social responsibility will help Delhi and India emerge as global leaders. According to her, initiatives like the Startup Yuva Festival reflect the government’s commitment to empowering youth and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
Education Minister Ashish Sood said that while startups existed in Delhi earlier, they were scattered and lacked a structured support system. There was no comprehensive startup policy or a clear mechanism to connect students with industry, mentors and investors. He said that this approach has now changed, with the government building a cohesive ecosystem spanning school education, higher education and technical training, placing entrepreneurship and innovation at its core.
Sood said the Startup Yuva Festival marks a significant shift, as it brings together 11 universities, 12 colleges and 19 Industrial Training Institutes on a single platform for the first time. The ‘Campus to Market’ approach, he said, has now been implemented in a structured manner, providing students with access to mentorship, funding opportunities and market linkages. Currently, more than 75,000 students and young people are associated with entrepreneurship programmes, while over 470 startups are operating under incubation.
He added that student-led startups have collectively generated revenues of ₹500–600 crore, with each startup creating an average of four to five employment opportunities. At the school level, under the NEEEV curriculum, around 5,000 student teams have been provided financial assistance of ₹20,000 per team to encourage early-stage innovation.
At the Startup Yuva Festival, the top six startups were awarded equity-free grants of ₹10 lakh each, while the top 100 startups received grants of ₹1 lakh each. The Education Minister said the Delhi Government is preparing to roll out the Delhi Startup Policy, which will involve an investment of ₹325 crore over the next five years. The policy aims to develop 5,000 startups by 2035, creating a robust and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the capital.
The Startup Yuva Festival 2026 is the flagship initiative of the Delhi Government to promote student entrepreneurship and establish Delhi as a national startup hub. Under the ‘Campus to Market’ initiative, students were given opportunities to present their ideas to investors, mentors and industry experts. The festival also featured knowledge sessions, policy discussions and a pitching competition. Out of more than 700 applications, over 60 startups participated in the Startup Expo, with the top 20 selected for live pitching.
The event underscored the Delhi Government’s focus on nurturing innovation at the grassroots level, strengthening the link between education and industry, and creating an ecosystem where young ideas can grow into successful enterprises.
