Lucknow: In a startup ecosystem often dominated by metros, Vision Startups Accelerator is quietly but powerfully reshaping the narrative from Lucknow. Operating as a not-for-profit under the Starturge India Foundation, the accelerator has emerged as a catalyst for early-stage founders across Uttar Pradesh—offering not just inspiration, but execution-driven support. At the heart of this movement is Sudhanshu Rastogi, a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and mentor with over three decades of experience. In this interview, Rastogi speaks about his vision, the accelerator’s journey so far, and why the future of Indian startups will increasingly be written from regional hubs.
Q: Vision Startups Accelerator has gained rapid traction in a short time. What was the core idea behind starting it?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
The core idea was very simple—access. I saw talented founders in Uttar Pradesh with strong ideas but limited exposure to mentorship, investors, and structured guidance. Vision Startups Accelerator was created to bridge that gap. We wanted to build a hands-on, action-oriented platform where founders don’t just listen to talks but actually refine their business models, improve financial readiness, and connect with the right people. Being a not-for-profit allows us to stay founder-first, without commercial pressure.
Q: How does Vision Startups Accelerator differentiate itself from other accelerators?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
We focus on practical outcomes. Our 3-step process—shortlisting through pitch decks, intensive mentorship, and investor pitching—keeps things structured and results-driven. We don’t believe in motivational fluff. Instead, we work closely with founders on clarity, scalability, and market fit. Also, our community-led approach is key. Founders learn as much from peers as they do from mentors. That’s why we say, One Community, Infinite Possibilities.
Q: The numbers are impressive—80+ startups, 95+ events, founders across multiple cities. What do these milestones mean to you?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
For me, these numbers represent confidence. Confidence that founders trust us, that mentors want to engage, and that Uttar Pradesh is ready to be seen as a serious startup hub. Events like Pitch Fest 2.0, which brought together startups from nine cities, show the hunger for collaboration. Our mixers, workshops on AI, SaaS, fintech, and financial growth are creating real outcomes—partnerships, funding conversations, and sharper founders.
Q: You personally play multiple roles—mentor, speaker, investor. How involved are you on the ground?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
Very involved. I attend events, judge bootcamps, mentor founders, and often sit with them one-on-one. With 32 years in investments and business building, I feel a responsibility to give back. Startups don’t fail because of lack of ideas; they fail due to lack of guidance at the right time. If my experience can help founders avoid common pitfalls, that’s a win for the ecosystem.
Q: Which sectors excite you the most right now?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
AI is obviously transformative, but I’m equally excited about SaaS, fintech, agritech, drones, and consumer products—especially solutions rooted in real Indian problems. Uttar Pradesh has immense potential in agritech and consumer innovation. When technology meets local insight, scalability becomes natural.
Q: Vision Startups Accelerator has partnered with banks, coworking spaces, and media platforms. How important are these collaborations?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
They’re critical. Ecosystems don’t grow in isolation. Sessions powered by partners like IDFC FIRST Bank or events at spaces like My Place Coworking add depth and credibility. Media partnerships with platforms like Inc42 and YourStory help amplify regional stories nationally. Our role is to be the connector.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what’s the roadmap for Vision Startups Accelerator?
Sudhanshu Rastogi:
2026 is about scale and depth. We plan to host larger demo days, sector-specific acceleration programs, and advanced workshops on growth capital and global expansion. We want to grow our community to hundreds more founders, strengthen national and global investor ties, and support startups through market cycles—whether it’s a boom or a funding winter. Our mission remains unchanged: empower founders and make Uttar Pradesh a powerhouse of innovation.
