Ahmedabad, March 27, 2026: As part of its centenary year celebrations, GLS University organized GLS Startup Nexus, a vibrant startup exhibition showcasing student-led startups and innovative ideas under the theme “100 Campus Ideas for Viksit Bharat.” The event marked the second commemorative event in GLS University’s centenary year, following the grand launch of the celebrations in February.
Organized under the visionary leadership of Shri Sudhir Nanavati, President, GLS University, the event reflected the university’s continued commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and future-ready learning. As part of the centenary celebrations, GLS University has committed to organizing a flagship event every month, bringing together academic excellence, industry engagement, cultural vibrancy, research, and social impact.
The startup exhibition brought together students, faculty members, industry leaders, startup mentors, and evaluators to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of young innovators. The event featured student-led startups and innovative ideas from diverse domains, including technology, social impact, services, value-driven ventures, and profit-oriented business models.
The exhibition was powered by GLS University’s incubation ecosystem, supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Government of Gujarat. It was also aligned with the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) of the Government of Gujarat, further strengthening the university’s focus on promoting innovation-led education and entrepreneurial development.
For the current SSIP cycle, GLS University received more than 100 student startup applications. These applications underwent a rigorous three-stage process involving scrutiny, mentoring, and evaluation. The structured process ensured that promising, practical, and scalable ideas received the right guidance, support, and visibility.
As a key outcome of this year’s SSIP cycle, four student startups were approved for GLS University SSIP funding of ₹2.5 lakh each, while one startup received funding of ₹1 lakh. In addition, 15 startups were specially recognized for their outstanding ideas, innovation potential, and growth prospects.
The initiative also reflected GLS University’s sustained efforts in building a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem. So far, more than 100 startups have been mentored, highlighting the university’s consistent focus on nurturing student innovators and helping them transform ideas into impactful ventures.
Later in the day, Dr. Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University, engaged in a candid and insightful conversation with Mr. Chiranjiv Patel, Managing Director, PC Snehal Group and Prospero Horizon, as part of the “Decoded @ GLS – In Conversation with Chandni Kapadia” talk series. The discussion explored important themes such as leadership, entrepreneurial journeys, scaling enterprises, innovation, and the role of universities in shaping an innovation-ready Bharat.
The interaction offered students valuable insights into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and the mindset required to convert ideas into sustainable enterprises. It also emphasized the significant role that universities can play in creating platforms, mentoring opportunities, and ecosystems that enable young entrepreneurs to succeed.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University, 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.”
GLS Startup Nexus successfully celebrated the spirit of innovation, creativity, and enterprise among students. The event reaffirmed GLS University’s commitment to empowering young minds, strengthening the startup ecosystem, and contributing meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat through education, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.
