UPES has bolstered its standing as a leading startup-centric university in India by allocating ₹3 crore in startup funding to a diverse group of young innovators from both India and abroad. The event, known as The Pitch, was held at the UPES campus in Dehradun and featured a Shark Tank-style format that brought together student entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and experienced investors. This high-stakes competition aimed to accelerate early-stage ventures.
Participants included founders from prestigious institutions such as the National University of Singapore, Delhi Technological University, IIT Ropar, BITS Pilani, and others. Twelve shortlisted startups presented their ideas to a panel of jurors composed of university leaders and external investors. Among the funded ventures were companies focusing on sustainable solar solutions, rare disease diagnostics, AI-powered tools for education, and deepfake detection for high-stakes sectors.
The jury, which included key figures from UPES and the investment community, based their funding decisions on the criteria of innovation, scalability, and real-world impact. Rahul Nainwal, Dean of the School of Business at UPES, emphasized the university’s dedication to integrating entrepreneurship into the academic experience. Meanwhile, investor Vivek Jhorar highlighted the unique opportunities The Pitch provides for young founders in terms of capital, media exposure, and investor engagement.
Organized under UPES’ startup incubator Runway, which was launched in 2021, the event is part of a broader initiative that has supported over 250 startups and facilitated over ₹20 crore in funding from various agencies. Through endeavors like The Pitch, UPES is strengthening its vision of merging entrepreneurial thinking with higher education, contributing to India’s rise as a global innovation hub.
