Campus Tank – heralded as the nation’s first and largest university-driven startup launchpad has been unveiled in a transformative leap for India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Chandigarh University, in partnership with Apna and Venture Catalysts, launched Campus Tank, in New Delhi recently. With accolades from Union Minister Jitendra Singh, this pioneering initiative targets young innovators under 30, offering them unparalleled opportunities to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. With a $1 million pledge fund, expert mentorship, and a robust incubation ecosystem, Campus Tank aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Startup India vision, positioning India to become the world’s second-largest startup hub by 2047. The program has already sparked massive interest, with 20,000 young entrepreneurs registered and 6,000 startups engaged in its first phase.
Campus Tank: Pioneering India’s University-Driven Startup Revolution
Campus Tank stands out as a trailblazing platform designed to nurture the entrepreneurial dreams of founders and co-founders aged 30 and under. Launched by Rajya Sabha MP and Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu, alongside Apna’s COO Karan Choksey, VP Dr. Preet Deep Singh, and Venture Catalysts’ Managing Partner Rishabh Golchha, the initiative was introduced at a high-profile event in New Delhi. Accessible via https://apna.co/contests/campus-tank-2025, Campus Tank invites young innovators to pitch their ideas and compete for funding from a $1 million investment pool managed by Venture Catalysts, India’s premier early-stage investment firm and first integrated incubator.
This initiative, a collaboration with Apna – India’s largest early-talent platform with over 60 million users and AICTE backing – and Chandigarh University, creates a dynamic ecosystem that blends funding, mentorship, and incubation. Unlike traditional startup programs, Campus Tank is deeply rooted in academia, leveraging Chandigarh University’s robust infrastructure, including its Technology Business Incubator (CU-TBI), which filed 1,126 patents in 2023-24, securing the top rank among Indian research organizations. Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the program as a unique public-private partnership model, predicting its influence will ripple across India’s educational and entrepreneurial landscape.
Campus Tank is more than a competition; it’s a launchpad for turning raw ideas into scalable ventures. Participants gain access to strategic alliances, immersive incubation at CUbe Founders Space, and masterclasses from industry leaders. The program culminates in a Demo Day at Chandigarh University, where selected startups pitch to top investors, with the potential for immediate funding announcements. By fostering innovation across sectors like agritech, edutech, fintech, medtech, and cleantech, Campus Tank empowers young minds to address real-world challenges.
Empowering Students: Turning Dorm-Room Dreams into Reality
For students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals, Campus Tank offers a transformative opportunity to bridge the gap between ideation and execution. By registering before the deadline, participants can compete for a share of the $1 million pledge fund, gaining access to resources often out of reach for young founders. The program’s structure ensures hands-on support, including incubation at Chandigarh University’s CUbe Founders Space, mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, and training through workshops and masterclasses. This holistic approach equips participants with the skills, networks, and capital needed to launch successful startups.
Dr. Preet Deep Singh of Apna emphasized the platform’s role in empowering India’s youth, noting that each startup creates an average of 11 direct jobs and four times as many indirect ones, contributing to nation-building. With over 51% of India’s startups emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, Campus Tank democratizes access to opportunities, particularly for underrepresented regions. Chandigarh University’s track record – nurturing over 150 student-led startups across 27 domains in 17 Indian cities and four countries – underscores its ability to catalyze entrepreneurial growth. Notably, eight of these startups are women-led, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusivity.
The Demo Day serves as a highlight, offering selected startups a stage to pitch to Venture Catalysts’ investors, alongside live evaluations and industry keynotes. Rishabh Golchha of Venture Catalysts highlighted the program’s focus on “builders” in hostels, cafes, and garages, providing not just funding but mentorship and ecosystem access. With 20,000 registrations and 6,000 startups already connected, Campus Tank aims to advance 1,000 ventures in its first phase, with 300 slated for incubation, ensuring young innovators receive the support needed to turn their visions into viable businesses.
Driving Viksit Bharat: Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Campus Tank is a cornerstone in India’s journey toward ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance among the youth. MP Satnam Singh Sandhu articulated the initiative’s alignment with PM Modi’s Startup India vision, which has propelled India to the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 176,000 startups and 118 unicorns valued at $1 billion each. By nurturing entrepreneurs who have created over 1.8 million direct jobs in the past decade, Campus Tank shifts the narrative from job-seekers to job-creators, empowering young founders to drive economic growth.
Chandigarh University’s Pro-Chancellor Himani Sood emphasized the platform’s role in uniting angel investors, academia, and industry leaders to position India as the global startup leader. With startups becoming a cultural phenomenon, bolstered by government policies, Campus Tank ensures equitable opportunities, especially for Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The university’s CU-TBI, raising Rs 5 crore to fuel startup growth, and its ranking among India’s top 5 patent-filing institutions over five years, highlight its pivotal role in this ecosystem.
By fostering innovation in emerging fields like blockchain and waste management, Campus Tank aims to create 1,000 unicorns, helping India surpass China as the world’s second-largest startup hub. As Dr. Preet Deep Singh noted, the initiative transforms ideas from “chai to charts,” empowering problem-solvers and dreamers. With its robust framework, Campus Tank is set to redefine youth entrepreneurship, driving sustainable progress and global competitiveness for India’s startup ecosystem.
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