The Delhi government has unveiled a Campus to Market Startup Incubation Policy with an allocation of ₹325 crore to support nearly 5,000 student-led startups over the next five years, aiming to convert campus innovations into market-ready ventures through structured funding, mentorship and institutional linkages.
Policy aims to convert students into job creators
Unveiled during the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026, the policy seeks to shift students’ mindset from job seekers to job creators by embedding entrepreneurship into the academic ecosystem. Officials said the framework will provide end-to-end support — from idea validation and product development to funding and market access — so promising campus ideas do not remain confined to classrooms.
The programme emphasises sectors where campus innovation already shows promise, including technology, sustainability, digital services and healthcare. With targeted mentorship and financial backing, these initiatives can be scaled into commercially viable enterprises that address local and national challenges.
Comprehensive ecosystem support
The ₹325 crore initiative is designed to lower early-stage barriers for student entrepreneurs through a mix of financial assistance, incubation infrastructure, intellectual property facilitation, investor connect programmes and industry mentorship. Implementation will be carried out in collaboration with universities, existing incubators and private stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery.
A key objective is to simplify the pathway from prototype to product launch. Young innovators commonly face regulatory hurdles, valuation uncertainties and limited investor access; the policy proposes dedicated institutional guidance to streamline regulatory compliance, help with technology commercialisation and improve readiness for investment.
Bolstering Delhi’s startup ecosystem
Delhi has emerged as a major startup hub with a growing number of incubators, investors and early-stage ventures. The Campus to Market policy is expected to strengthen this position by creating a steady pipeline of student-founded startups, potentially contributing to job creation, economic growth and technological advancement in the capital.
Experts note that sustained, policy-backed support—rather than one-off funding—can build durable foundations for young enterprises. Structured mentorship, continued incubation and stronger university-industry linkages can increase the survival and scale-up rates of student-led ventures.
Long-term vision and rollout
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to mainstream entrepreneurial thinking within higher education and to involve India’s youth more directly in nation-building through innovation. The policy will be rolled out in phases, with thousands of student innovators across Delhi expected to benefit from financial incentives, institutional collaboration and mentorship networks.
By creating a formal bridge between education and enterprise, the Delhi government aims to foster a generation of entrepreneurs equipped to translate academic research and campus ideas into market-ready solutions that address contemporary social and economic needs.
