9-6 monotonous job? – Nah! The question that sprints is “will it be fulfilling”? The answer that would mostly echo is “NO.”  As a 23-year-old grad from a reputed university, would you like to join the pile of dead fish and go with the flow? Or, do you wish to join a startup or maybe start your own business, provide employment and revolutionize? A traditional job because it would pay good and is stable or a startup which will grow and flourish with your blood and sweat? The former looks appealing, but the latter is satisfying, isn’t it?

So, comes the question should universities help boost startups and help provide primary education on “entrepreneurial skill” at the least? How would it benefit the youth or the school per se?  Colleges and universities accommodate a diverse crowd from all nooks and corners of the country and the world. Youngsters who just wish to prove their worth beaming with fresh and innovative ideas are overflowing in canteens, classrooms, gardens and at any place that you can think of.

Why DU should promote startups

1)    While in university, the students learn responsibilities and teamwork. They work in close knitted units to try and accomplish the toughest of tasks. That bonding and sense of team unity are one of the pillars in the foundation for a successful startup.

2)    Secondly, the can-do attitude is something that floods university and college campuses. These foals need someone to groom them into Arabian horses. Who else other than the professors and mentors? These people are always ready to help you with a smile on their face.

3)    Universities have auditoriums, meeting places, chill-out zones, free food, and internet. What else does a young entrepreneur require to lay the foundation of his/her Fortune 500 company but cheap as well as free resources?

4)    Universities can also help guide, motivate, and even filter the most innovative ideas and may be funding them.

What startups came out of DU?

In addition to multiple other startups, recently students of DU launched a startup to change the waste management system in India. Waste management is apparently one of the significant problems we face. Two aspiring engineering students are walking down towards the metro, notice a garbage bin and Voila! A brilliant idea struck these young minds, and there it was – the birth of We-Convert. The concept is pretty simple and would work like a charm: E-collectors that will accept waste material and in return generate some rewards. Isn’t that awesome? Clean the country and in the process have a stable earning. Win-win for all. Another startup HelloMeal promises to provide an economical meal at your doorstep. Order through an app, a toll-free number, and no delivery charges. The founder (a grad from DU’s Swami Shraddhanand College) mentioned that he and his friends came up with the idea after facing food related inconvenience at college. The app, they say, is doing good as they receive almost 150 orders a day.

The crux of it is that in today’s world, the market doesn’t appreciate tradition but innovation. Showcase your ideas, test your skills, understand the requirement, break the barriers and do what you’re passionate about and make things happen. Yes, we can!

Keyword: Startups at DU

   Are you a graduate with entrepreneurial dreams? Or, are you someone who is a part of the corporate world trying to break the shackles to follow your dreams of being an entrepreneur?  Are you afraid to travel the road less traveled?

   Every excellent business empire today was once a frivolous dream. What made the difference was the men behind these ventures were not apprehensive of the first step.

   Here are a few reasons why you should work towards accomplishing your idea and your dreams.

1. Now is the time

With the Government of India aiding start-ups and manufacturing in the country like never before, the next few years seem more promising for first-time entrepreneurs. 

       Going by the Economic Survey of 2015-2016, India is home to more than 19,000 startups that are tech-enabled. Also, in recent years, Indian startups have seen an unexpected valuation. This surge is more than promising.

   In the first half of 2015, Indian startups raised a whopping 3.5 billion American dollars in funding, and there are close to 490 active investors in India (as of the end of 2015). The number of deals signed has only increased to 18{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} in 2016. This growth suggests a definite growth curve in the future years too.

  In 2016, India was ranked Number 3 in the world in the number of start-ups. Certain organizations like NASSCOM plan to support close to 10,000 startups in India in the coming years. Regulatory bodies like SEBI have now eased the norms, and it is far more comfortable for the companies to raise funds through the IPO route. Therefore, raising money for your start-up is not as arduous as it once was.

  If you have an idea that stands out, you will get all around support from the right institutions when you put it across.

1. Incubators in the university campuses provide the right platform.

   To aid the ‘Start-Up India’ initiative, the leading universities launched start-up incubators within the campuses to nurture business start-ups. These nurseries have seen success in certain IITs, IIMs and Delhi University.

  What is interesting is the growth rate of these incubators. 2016 saw a 40{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} increase in the number of these nurseries, with aid from government and corporate. In the same year, the state helped set up 30 new incubators on the university campus and close to 66{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} of them have been established in the Tier II and Tier III cities.

  Another interesting fact is that there has been a 25{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} increase in the number of student entrepreneurs. Can you believe in 2016 alone, 350 startups were launched by young students?

  Lithics.in, a renowned online marketing place promoting handicrafts, paintings and other gift items from the weaker sections of the society was formed by three students of Delhi University. They are housed in Technology Business Incubator under the Cluster Innovation Centre at Delhi University. Through tie-ups with NGOs, they market products from the weaker sections of the society and have received several accolades and awards for their work. Lithics.in is an example of a successful campus aided venture.

iii.    Broad societal benefits

       As a society, we continually face challenges from all aspects. To tackle these problems and to make ourselves visible on a global platform, we need to embrace innovation and change. How can you promote innovation in the nation? The answer is simple, by encouraging startups.

   Startups also carve a path to discover solutions to the most pressing societal problems.  If you have an answer to any of the issues the society faces, you could bring about change benefitting the large sections of people.

    Take the example of two students from Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences (DU). Their idea was born while lamenting about the waste management strategy in the city. This led to the formation of We-Convert. They introduced a machine called E-collector which accepts the user’s waste and generates rewards in return. After fruitful collaborations, the venture is eyeing revenue of Rs 67 lakhs for the fiscal year 17-18 and is starting its expansions in many cities across India.

   A 30-year-old Delhi University graduate along with an IITian started Zophop, an app to help the daily commuters of public transport. The app supports real-time tracking of the position of buses and its time of arrival at any stop along its route. Passengers can also purchase tickets in advance. Zophop has made the commute more accessible for passengers in more than 15 cities across India. They smoothened out the challenging commute time for lakhs of daily travelers.

 The future seems promising.

       India needs close to 20 million jobs a year, and as per a global data, it is the startups that provide a large percentage of employment when compared to established enterprises. Startups aid in the economic reforming of a nation and that is what India needs at the moment.

When you delve into the startup bandwagon, you are not just accomplishing your dreams but bringing about a change in a small yet significant way by creating more jobs and helping in the economic growth of the nation.

Keyword: startups at DU

You just graduated. You have a plan to get to your dream job. You decide to start slow. But tell me, would you like to join a startup fresh out of college as opposed to a well-established, revenue-generating, high-profile company?

Why Should DU Invite More Startups during Internship/Placement Season?

DU students have created startups like We-Convert, 3Dexters, HelloMeal, and Spamster. You are asking for reasons to consider joining one. Well, here they are!

1. More Responsibilities Equals Hands-On Experience

Startups have limited personnel. There is no ‘watch today, do later’ attitude there. You’ve to figure out tasks you’ve never committed before. Thus, you learn more than you could ever have gained by merely observing.

2. Firsthand Participation Translates into Bigger Opportunities

A Future Workplace Survey says 91{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} millennials expect to switch jobs within three years. Another NACE Job Outlook Survey says that employers seek leadership, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and work ethic primarily.

In a startup, you juggle different responsibilities, long to-do lists, and inherent risks. Whenever you switch, this versatility makes you the better candidate.

3. Tough Supervision Means Improved Resilience

Startups are small, close-knit units. Credit, as well as backlash, comes easy because your work is visible. Thus, you learn to find solutions, endure, and tackle tricky scenarios.

4. Opportunities Seem Endless

Startup remuneration is often inadequate. But, they offer chances to grow. You get to branch out, learn new skills, try them in real-case scenarios. You discover the significance of hard work, tenacity, creative thinking, accountability, and personal ownership.

5. And There Is Free Food

And an enthusiastic environment, chilled-out colleagues, determined teams, and the excitement of accomplishment.

Startups versus Fancy Industry Jobs-There’s No Winner, so Choose Carefully

Between a corporate job and a startup one, people tend to flock to the former. And why not?

You crave job security. High-end companies will pay you well enough. They’ll offer additional benefits.

In startups, the working hours are ridiculous. So is the pay. There is minimal room for error. And you can’t tell if or when the newfound company will run out of capital and shut down. In fact, 25{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616}-30{ed162fdde9fdc472551df9f31f04601345edf7e4eff6ea93114402690d8fa616} of backed up startups fail, says the National Venture Capital Association.

But, when Startups flourish, and you tag along from the beginning, you gain tremendous experience via hours and hours of innovation, brainstorming and active participation. You learn your limits and capabilities. These help you build an exceptional career.

Keyword: Startups at DU