Industry Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ hails CU-UP’s initiative, calls the University a “laboratory for nation-building”
Unnao: In a landmark step towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh (CU-UP) launched ‘Campus Tank’, India’s first university-led startup launchpad, designed to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs. The initiative was inaugurated by Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Minister for Industry Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who lauded the university’s vision and commitment towards shaping India’s innovation landscape.
The Campus Tank has been established with a funding pool of USD 6 million (approximately ₹50 crore) to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their startup ideas into reality. The platform connects young founders with mentors, investors, and industry leaders, offering financial aid, incubation, and expert guidance at every stage — from idea conceptualisation to market launch. Over 1,000 startups have already joined the initiative, with 10 promising ventures selected to pitch before investors and secure funding during the event.
Alongside Campus Tank, the university also unveiled CU AI Space, a dedicated hub for students, startups, and industry professionals to collaborate on research, development, and innovation in Artificial Intelligence. Equipped with state-of-the-art AI tools and technologies, CU AI Space aims to serve as a global gateway for the AI ecosystem, encouraging problem-solving through real-world applications.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ praised CU-UP’s efforts, saying, “A university is a laboratory for nation-building. Chandigarh University is creating a model for modern education aligned with global expectations. The Campus Tank will establish the university as a leading AI and innovation hub, giving Uttar Pradesh’s youth a platform to explore and excel.” He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, growing at an annual rate of 12–15%, and that Uttar Pradesh’s “double-engine government” has taken several initiatives to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), emphasized the role of youth in achieving the “Developed India 2047” vision. “Campus Tank is not just a launchpad — it is a movement to shape India’s future entrepreneurs. Universities are now engines of innovation and economic growth. Through this platform, we aim to create the next generation of unicorns that will make India proud on the global stage,” he said.
With over 200 startups incubated at CU-UP’s TBI Centre — 11 of which already record annual turnovers above ₹50 lakh — the university continues to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem. The launch of Campus Tank marks another milestone in India’s innovation journey, uniting academia, industry, and youth in the shared mission of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
