Event Date: 9th & 10th May, 2025
Event brief description
Building high-performance incubators within higher education institutions is crucial for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in supporting the Indian startup movement. These incubators act as a bridge between academia and industry, providing resources and mentorship to nurture new ventures. A recent workshop organized by Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI) in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi focused on developing strategies for these incubators, highlighting the importance of integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into academic institutions.
Event Detailed Description
Building High-Performance Incubators in Higher Education Institutions
organised by
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in collaboration with the Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI),
(9-10 May, 2025)
It’s an immense pleasure and true motivation under Hon’ble Chancellor Shri Suneel Galgotia and Hon’ble CEO Dr. Dhruv Galgotia of Galgotias University for their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem within the academic space. Under their guidance, Galgotias University has emerged as a leading innovation-driven institution, emphasizing entrepreneurial thinking, technology-led solutions, and real-world impact. Their vision is to empower students and faculty to transform innovative ideas into viable ventures, by creating a culture where creativity meets opportunity. The university’s active participation in national-level incubation programs is a reflection of their mission to build an ecosystem where startups are nurtured through structured support, mentoring, and access to industry and government networks. It’s an proud moment for me to represent Galgotias University under the Visionary guidance of Hon’ble CEO, Dr Dhruv Galgotia, Galgotias University.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in collaboration with the Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI), successfully conducted a two-day national-level workshop titled “Building High-Performance Incubators in Higher Education Institutions” on May 9–10, 2025. The event was hosted by the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, with the goal of strengthening incubation capacity and enhancing the quality of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Indian higher education institutions.
The workshop brought together thought leaders, policy makers, incubation professionals, academic administrators, and startup ecosystem enablers from across the country. It focused on the core pillars of high-performance incubation — from governance and funding to mentorship, scalability, performance metrics, and strategic ecosystem partnerships.
Inaugural Session
The workshop commenced with an inaugural ceremony that set the tone for two days of immersive learning and networking. The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. H. Chaturvedi, Director General of IILM and Alternate President of EPSI. Dr. Chaturvedi emphasized the rising significance of entrepreneurship and innovation in academic institutions, highlighting the need for structured incubators with robust governance and policy frameworks. He applauded the efforts of EPSI and FITT in fostering such timely and relevant discussions that can guide institutions across the country.
The Guest of Honour, Prof. Lakshmi Narayan, Professor In-Charge of eDC and Associate Professor at IIT Delhi, shared his insights on the transformative potential of innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the academic landscape. He pointed out how initiatives like these can empower students and faculty members to go beyond theoretical knowledge and create impactful solutions for the real world.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director of FITT, IIT Delhi. Dr. Agarwal spoke about the evolving innovation ecosystem in India and the indispensable role academic incubators play in driving change. He emphasized FITT’s vision of bridging academic research with market needs, thereby creating pathways for commercializing innovation while maintaining academic integrity.
Session Summaries and Key Insights
Governance, Policy Framework & Legal Compliance
Speaker: Mr. Suresh Kumar, Ex-Head, ISBA
Mr. Kumar began the session with an interactive five-minute activity to engage participants and set the context for understanding the structural foundation of incubators. He then explored different governance models, emphasizing the importance of clearly defined incubation policies and legal frameworks. Key topics included the selection criteria for incubatees, formation of a selection panel, assessing entrepreneurial potential, and setting up incubation agreements. He stressed the exit and graduation policies, the role of the Board of Directors, and the crucial responsibilities of the Incubation Manager. The session offered actionable insights into making incubators legally sound and strategically effective.
Funding & Financial Sustainability
Speaker: Mr. Arjit Dutt, General Manager, SIDBI
Mr. Dutt provided a detailed overview of funding options and strategies to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of incubators. He presented the current landscape of Indian incubators, highlighted key trends, and explained the building blocks for a scalable and sustainable incubator. Discussing common challenges and funding lifecycles, he introduced SIDBI’s seed funding framework, detailing how they partner with incubators to enable startup growth. His emphasis on developing diverse revenue models and securing developmental grants offered a practical financial roadmap for incubator managers.
Role of Mentorship & Leadership Development
Speaker: Dr. Abha Rishi, Executive Head, MP Startup Mission
Dr. Rishi delivered an engaging session on the pivotal role mentorship plays in startup success. She outlined methods for strategically selecting mentors, ensuring personality and goal alignment, and structuring productive relationships. She discussed the roles and responsibilities of mentors, the importance of regular reviews, and how mentorship can accelerate startup growth, build confidence, and expand resource access. Her session also touched upon avoiding mentorship pitfalls and motivating mentors for sustained engagement—essential topics for any incubator aiming to support startups meaningfully.
Building Industry & Investor Networks
Speaker: Ms. Ipsita Yadav, Manager, Invest India
Ms. Yadav highlighted the importance of establishing strong networks with industry leaders, investors, and academic institutions. She emphasized
that collaborative partnerships are key to enabling startups with access to markets, funding, and technological support. She also shared real-life examples of how strategic alliances have helped scale startups and strengthen incubator impact.
Market Readiness & Scaling Startups
Speaker: Mr. Satish Singh, Head of Partnerships, Sanchi Connect
This session focused on helping startups navigate their journey from product development to market scaling. Mr. Singh introduced the Market Readiness Framework, shared insights on common pitfalls, and provided guidelines on scaling strategies. He emphasized the importance of core pillars of capacity building and the use of digital technologies for scaling. His pragmatic approach offered incubator managers a toolkit to train and support startups as they move toward commercialization.
Incubation Program Design & Startup Support
Speaker: Dr. Ashutosh Pastor, Vice President – Incubation, FITT, IIT Delhi
Dr. Pastor’s session offered a behind-the-scenes look into FITT’s operational strategies. He discussed the application and selection processes, governance structure, and resource allocation. He showcased success stories of startups like Vecmocon Technologies, BotLab Dynamics, Wrig Nanosystems, Cyran AI Solutions, and Flexmo, demonstrating how structured incubation programs and continuous support lead to real-world impact. His session served as an inspirational guide for institutions planning to establish or improve their incubation offerings.
Performance Metrics & Impact Assessment
Speaker: Ms. Bhuvna Nagarjan, Senior Manager, JSSATE-STEP
In this data-driven session, Ms. Nagarjan emphasized the significance of measuring the performance and impact of incubators. She shared key performance indicators, methods for tracking startup progress, and frameworks for sustainable growth assessment. Her session guided participants on how to maintain transparency and accountability while ensuring long-term incubator success.
Visit to R&I Park and Startup Interaction
Participants had the opportunity to visit the Research and Innovation Park at IIT Delhi and interact with five promising deep-tech startups — Green
Aero Propulsion, Dash Dynamic, Bravecore, Zerodrag, and Vikas Geosensing Labs. The visit also included a tour of state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical laboratories. These firsthand interactions allowed participants to witness the real-world application of incubation strategies and understand how infrastructure and mentorship come together to fuel innovation.
Closing Ceremony:
The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Arbinda Mitra, Advisor at FITT and Former Scientific Secretary. He congratulated the organizers and participants for a successful knowledge exchange and emphasized the critical role of academic incubators in the national innovation agenda. He called for more such collaborative efforts between institutions, government bodies, and industry stakeholders to build a sustainable startup ecosystem in India.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. P. Palanivel, Secretary General of EPSI, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, participants, and organizing team for their commitment and energy. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to all attendees.
Special Acknowledgements:
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. H. Chaturvedi, Director General of IILM and Alternate President of EPSI, and Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director of FITT-IIT Delhi, whose vision and guidance were instrumental in shaping the objectives and direction of the workshop. Our sincere thanks to Mr. P. Palanivel, Secretary General-EPSI, and Mr. Rajendra Dash, EPSI, for their continued commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through academic-industry partnerships.
The seamless organization and success of the workshop were made possible by the relentless efforts of the FITT team and the unwavering support of all collaborating partners. Special thanks are extended to Mr. Kiran Sabale (Manager-Incubation, FITT, IIT Delhi), Dr. Ashutosh Pastor (Vice President – Incubation, FITT, IIT Delhi), and Ms. Shambhavi Singh (Program Manager, FITT, IIT Delhi) for their exceptional leadership and meticulous coordination in curating and delivering this impactful event.
A special note of gratitude goes to Ms. Shreya Singh and Ms. Kavisha Singh, the Galgotias University’s students working as interns at FITT, IIT Ropar, for their outstanding contribution in supporting the workshop logistics and communication, demonstrated commendable dedication and professionalism throughout the event, reflecting the rising role of youth in building a thriving innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem across academic institutions.
Department Name –GICRISE
Event Outcome:
The two-day national workshop on “Building High-Performance Incubators in Higher Education Institutions,” organized by IIT Delhi and EPSI, provided valuable insights into strengthening incubation frameworks across academic institutions. Sessions focused on governance, funding, mentorship, industry linkages, and impact assessment. Galgotias Incubation Center for Research Innovation Startups & Entrepreneurs actively participated, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. A visit to IIT Delhi’s Research & Innovation Park and interactions with deep-tech startups added practical value. The event promoted national collaboration and reaffirmed Galgotias University’s dedication to building a vibrant startup ecosystem.
