- Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India rolls out IDE Bootcamp 2026 with national footprint
- 200+ students from 14 states power a diverse, innovation-driven cohort
- All India Council for Technical Education & Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell anchor large-scale entrepreneurial skilling
R MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, APR 7
In a bold stride towards shaping India’s next generation of entrepreneurs, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India has launched the 3rd edition of the ‘Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp 2026’, a dynamic national initiative designed to cultivate creativity, design thinking, and entrepreneurial acumen among students.
The programme is organised by the All India Council for Technical Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, implemented with the Wadhwani Foundation and supported by the SBI Foundation.
The inaugural session on April 6 saw participation from over 200 students representing higher education institutions across 14 states, including far-reaching regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the programme’s inclusive national character and outreach to Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Dr. Sunil Shukla said, “Entrepreneurship is mindset and a life skill. In the last decade or so, this discipline has especially grown significantly, with increasing student interest. Both entrepreneurial successes and failures impart learnings. The students must have a keen eye on comprehending the competencies that make successful entrepreneurs. I urge all students to actively learn from their faculty-mentors, as well as fellow students.”
Highlighting the scale and impact, Mitesh Vadher noted, “The first two editions of the IDE Bootcamp have trained over 10,000 participants across 46 locations in India. This five-day bootcamp will now be conducted in three phases across 30 locations, ensuring wider outreach and regional diversity. The theme reflects our belief that design can be a powerful driver of development. Launched in 2023 by the Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the programme has since created significant impact across the country.”
The bootcamp is drawing nearly 6,500 students nationwide, including teams from Smart India Hackathon (SIH) and Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) institutions, alongside innovators working on prototypes requiring design refinement and investment-ready pitching.
Envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the IDE Bootcamp blends real-world problem-solving with collaborative learning. Participants benefit from expert mentoring by startup founders and incubation leaders, culminating in high-stakes pitch sessions where top teams are recognised.
With immersive modules including exposure visits, funding and IPR sessions, and hands-on innovation exercises, the initiative continues to evolve as a powerful catalyst—bridging classrooms and startups, and fuelling India’s innovation-led growth journey.
