New Delhi | January 8, 2026: Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday announced the launch of the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival, scheduled for January 9 at NSUT, Dwarka. The festival, organised under the aegis of the Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), aims to empower student-led and early-stage startups while strengthening Delhi’s campus-to-market ecosystem. The initiative forms a key part of the government’s vision to position Delhi as India’s startup capital.
Addressing the media, Ashish Sood highlighted that the festival reflects the government’s commitment to integrating education, skill development, and entrepreneurship. DTTE has emerged as a major driver in institutionalising startups within public education and enabling young innovators to pursue entrepreneurship as a mainstream career option.
The Minister said that over 75,000 students and young innovators are actively participating in DTTE-supported entrepreneurship and innovation programmes, with annual participation increasing by 25–30%. Currently, more than 470 startups are being incubated across government-supported institutions, covering sectors such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, education, manufacturing, and creative industries.
Ashish Sood added that DTTE-supported startups generate an average of 4–5 direct jobs per startup in the first year, significantly contributing to youth employment. Based on early-stage benchmarks, these startups have collectively generated an estimated ₹500–₹600 crore in revenue, demonstrating the growing maturity and economic potential of Delhi’s public startup ecosystem.
The Minister emphasised that the Delhi government continues to strengthen the ecosystem through targeted policy support, including the proposed Delhi Startup Policy 2025. The policy envisages a ₹325 crore outlay over five years with a vision to enable 5,000 startups by 2035. In addition, expansion of incubation centres, innovation labs, and focused support for student entrepreneurs, women founders, and first-generation innovators is being planned to create a robust and inclusive startup environment.
Ashish Sood further said that the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival will serve as a catalytic platform for youth-led startups to showcase their ideas, connect with investors and mentors, and promote innovation-driven solutions. The festival has received over 750 applications for startup pitching and innovation competitions and offers structured mentorship along with direct investor pitching opportunities.
To ensure continued support beyond the festival, the Delhi government, through DTTE, has entered into a strategic collaboration with TiE Delhi-NCR. The partnership aims to provide long-term mentorship, capacity building, and enhanced access to funding for startups, reinforcing Delhi’s commitment to building a globally competitive, youth-driven innovation ecosystem.
Ashish Sood said that initiatives like the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival reflect the government’s proactive approach to fostering entrepreneurship, nurturing talent, and creating sustainable opportunities for young innovators, ensuring Delhi remains at the forefront of India’s startup revolution.
