- GLS University hosts Startup Nexus, spotlighting 100 student ventures across tech, social impact & services
- Centenary momentum builds under Sudhir Nanavati’s vision with monthly innovation milestones
- ‘Decoded @ GLS’ sees Dr. Chandni Kapadia in candid dialogue with Chiranjiv Patel on scaling & leadership
- SSIP pipeline delivers: 4 startups get ₹2.5 lakh each; 1 gets ₹1 lakh; 15 earn special recognition
- DST-backed incubation & Gujarat SSIP drive rigorous selection, mentoring & funding ecosystem
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 27
Marking a high-energy milestone in its centennial year, GLS University turned its campus into a crucible of ideas with GLS Startup Nexus—‘100 Campus Ideas for Viksit Bharat’, bringing together 100 student-led startups and innovations in a vibrant showcase of enterprise, creativity, and purpose.
The exhibition—second in a year-long centenary calendar—underscored the institution’s resolve to host a flagship event every month, a vision steered by university president Sudhir Nanavati.
Ideas Meet Ecosystem: From Classroom to Market
The Startup Nexus featured 60+ active student ventures spanning technology, social impact, services, and value- as well as profit-driven models. Students pitched alongside faculty, industry leaders, and startup mentors, reinforcing a collaborative pipeline from ideation to execution.
Backed by the Department of Science and Technology (Government of India) and aligned with the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP), Government of Gujarat, the university’s incubation ecosystem powered the event with structured mentorship and industry linkage.
‘Decoded @ GLS’: Leadership, Scale & Startup Playbooks
A highlight of the day was the ‘Decoded @ GLS – In Conversation with Chandni Kapadia’ series, where Executive Director Dr. Chandni Kapadia engaged entrepreneur Chiranjiv Patel, Managing Director, PC Snehal Group and Prospero Horizon.
The candid exchange traversed leadership mindsets, startup journeys, scaling strategies, and the role of universities in shaping an innovation-ready India, offering students a ringside view of real-world enterprise building.
SSIP Cycle: Rigour, Mentorship & Funding Wins
For the current SSIP cycle, 100+ applications underwent a three-stage process—scrutiny, mentoring, and evaluation—ensuring only high-potential ideas progressed.
Key outcomes:
- 4 startups approved for ₹2.5 lakh each
- 1 startup sanctioned ₹1 lakh
- 15 startups received special recognition for innovation and growth potential
Cumulatively, 100+ startups have been mentored to date, reflecting GLS University’s sustained push to build a robust, future-ready entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Voices & Vision
Dr. Chandni Kapadia said, “Every student idea presented at Startup Nexus, whether funded today or not, represents the seed of a future-ready India, reinforcing GLS University’s centennial vision of combining academic excellence with innovation, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.”
University leadership credited visionary guidance, institutional support, and faculty mentorship for nurturing a thriving startup culture, while acknowledging the contributions of mentors and evaluators in the SSIP process.
