Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated Chandigarh University’s ‘Campus Tank’, touted as India’s largest university-led startup launchpad, at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.
With a dedicated funding pool of $6 million, Campus Tank is designed to support student entrepreneurs under the age of 30, providing them with direct access to investors, incubation resources, and industry mentorship.
Dr. Singh emphasized the pivotal role of youth in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, noting that India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem—today ranking 39th on the Global Innovation Index—is increasingly powered by young innovators. He called for greater entrepreneurial push in North India, which he said still carries a preference for government jobs, compared to the more dynamic startup culture in the South.
“India does not lack funding or ideas. What we need is for youth to seize the opportunity. Initiatives like Campus Tank can ensure that the next wave of unicorns comes directly from university campuses,” he remarked.
The launch event saw participation from senior policymakers, venture capitalists, and startup founders. Rajya Sabha MP and Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu, AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam, and Apoorv Ranjan Sharma (Co-founder, Venture Catalysts) were among the key dignitaries.
Campus Tank has already attracted over 20,000 registrations from 28 states and 6 union territories, including 35% women founders, showcasing the inclusivity of India’s next-gen entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over 500 student-led projects have been shortlisted for early funding and incubation support.
Chandigarh University, through its Technology Business Incubator (CU-TBI), has been ranked among the top institutions for patent filings in India, with more than 2,500 patents filed in the last three years. With Campus Tank, the university aims to bridge academia with industry and create a pipeline of 5,000 potential unicorns by 2047.
