Classroom to Startup: Young Entrepreneurs Foundation (YEF) and IIITD Innovation & Incubation Center Host a Live Summit to Ignite Entrepreneurial Spirit Among Educators and Students

New Delhi — The Young Entrepreneurs Foundation (YEF), in collaboration with the IIITD Innovation & Incubation Center, organized a transformative Live Summit, “Classroom to Startup: School Innovation Hubs for Nurturing Future Entrepreneurs.” Held recently, the event gathered a diverse audience of school principals, educators, and industry leaders to discuss groundbreaking approaches to fostering entrepreneurship in academic settings. The summit aimed to prepare the next generation for a future driven by innovation and adaptability.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Shri Himanshu Gupta, IAS, Secretary of CBSE, and Prof. Pankaj Vajpayee, Director and CEO of the IIITD Innovation & Incubation Center. Prof. Vajpayee, who also serves as Dean of Corporate Relations and Entrepreneurship at IIIT Delhi, welcomed participants and emphasized the role of higher educational institutions in nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset among students. He highlighted IIITD’s various initiatives and courses designed to equip students for an entrepreneurial future.

Shri Himanshu Gupta underscored the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in students, encouraging them to evolve from job seekers to job creators. He announced the launch of YEF’s five-day bootcamp at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, slated for December 2024, and commended YEF’s efforts in bringing transformative change to schools across India.

Speakers and Panels Emphasize Innovation and Support for Young Entrepreneurs

Prominent figures from the education sector, including Dr. Jyoti Gupta of K.R. Mangalam World School, Dr. CB Mishra of Prudence School, and Ms. Nita Arora of Sri Venkateshwar International School, shared insights on progressive teaching methods and the empowering potential of incubation centers for young minds. Dr. Rakesh Kumar Gupta from SCERT discussed the development and promotion of the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum across Delhi schools, while Dr. Akhilesh Mishra from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) pledged DST’s support for YEF’s initiatives. Dr. Mishra assured attendees that DST would fund innovative student ideas, strengthening the foundation for creativity and growth.

Summit Highlights: Equipping Students with Future-Ready Skills- Interactive sessions offered educators practical tools and strategies to bring entrepreneurship and innovation into their classrooms, empowering students with essential skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world

Inspiring Keynotes: Insightful talks set the tone for understanding the critical role of entrepreneurship in education and its impact on preparing students for future challenges.

Innovative Panel Discussions: Experts delved into teaching methods that nurture innovation and highlighted how incubation centers can support young entrepreneurs.

Youth Voices: Young entrepreneurs Mr. Ayaan Goel, Mr. Vinayak Goel, and Ms. Anshika Kaur shared their journeys, inspiring students to pursue entrepreneurial dreams at any age.

Looking Forward: YEF’s Bootcamp Initiative. YEF Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is a transformative five-day program crafted to ignite entrepreneurial passion and equip students with the tools needed to succeed in the business world. Aligned with the principles of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this boot camp emphasizes experiential learning and practical skill development. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and hands-on projects, participants will delve into key aspects of entrepreneurship, including idea generation, business planning, and strategic execution.

In a bid to further support young innovators, YEF announced its inaugural five-day Boot Camp for students in grades 6-12, scheduled from December 25-29, 2024, at EDII in Ahmedabad. This program will equip students with essential tools and confidence to explore their entrepreneurial potential.