Japanese venture capital firm Beyond Next Ventures (BNV) has partnered with IILM University in Delhi to launch a venture-building programme aimed at transforming student ideas into startups, marking a significant boost for the city's higher education and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Dedicated VC Team on Campus
Starting July 1, BNV will deploy a full-time team member on the university campus, making this one of the few programmes in India where a venture capital firm works directly with students and faculty from the earliest stages of innovation and entrepreneurship. The initiative focuses on identifying promising ideas across the university and helping aspiring entrepreneurs turn them into viable businesses through mentorship, market validation, and structured startup support.
Unlike conventional startup programmes that engage with already established ventures, this initiative supports students even before they formally launch a company. The collaboration is expected to create new opportunities for young entrepreneurs in Delhi's growing startup ecosystem, particularly in emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, climate technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Targets and Integration
Officials expect the programme to engage more than 1,000 students and faculty members during the first year and identify at least 100 potential startup ventures. Over the next two years, the partnership aims to discover and support more than 200 ventures with the potential to scale into high-growth businesses.
At IILM University, the initiative will be integrated with the institution's Innovation Lab and a newly introduced credit-based venture-building elective. Students from diverse academic disciplines—including engineering, sciences, management, law, and liberal arts—will be encouraged to collaborate and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
Strategic Importance
The partnership reflects the growing interest of international investors in India's rapidly expanding deep-tech ecosystem, with universities increasingly emerging as centres of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. Jay Krishnan, partner and head of investments at Beyond Next Ventures India, said successful innovation ecosystems emerge when universities, entrepreneurs, and investors collaborate at an early stage. He added that the partnership seeks to connect talent, research, and venture creation to build globally relevant deep-tech companies.
Anjali Rai, pro-chancellor of IILM University, said the initiative aims to nurture a new generation of innovators capable of addressing India's challenges in areas such as energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and climate while maintaining a strong global outlook.
