In a unique confluence of sports and startups, Nehal Wadhera, the rising star of the Punjab Kings (IPL), inspired hundreds of young minds at the inaugural edition of the Student Entrepreneurship Summit 2025, hosted by TiE Delhi-NCR, one of India’s most prominent startup ecosystem enablers.
Over 400 students from 50+ leading schools and colleges across India participated in the two-day celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and student leadership.
A standout moment of the event was a fireside chat with Nehal Wadhera, where the cricketer drew powerful parallels between the world of sports and entrepreneurship.
“Rules of sportsmanship also apply to entrepreneurship — having self-confidence, giving your 100%, and blocking out the noise to achieve your goal,” said Wadhera, as he encouraged students to stay focused and resilient in their journeys.
An Action-Packed Summit for Future Founders
The summit featured a variety of sessions — from interactive workshops to inspirational talks, startup showcases, and pitch competitions. Students had the opportunity to directly engage with:
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Startup founders
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Venture capitalists
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Policymakers
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Brand leaders and educators
“This was a powerful celebration of student energy. We’re proud to be the torchbearers of a national movement nurturing tomorrow’s founders through mentorship, exposure, and opportunity,” said Upasana Sharma, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR.
Inspiring Speaker Line-Up
The summit welcomed a diverse lineup of entrepreneurs and professionals including:
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R. Satya Narayanan, Founder & Chairman, CareerLauncher
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Aurnob Godinho, Director of Brand, Bombay Shaving Company
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Anoushka Jolly, Founder, Kavach App
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Pankaj Bansal, Assistant Manager, National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
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Vineet Sagar, Managing Partner, Venture Garage
Global Stage for Student Startups: TYE Global Finals
A major highlight of the day was the TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Global Finals, TiE’s flagship global program for high school students. It is designed to:
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Teach startup building
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Provide leadership training
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Foster hands-on learning
This year, TiE Delhi-NCR hosted the top 16 finalist teams from TiE chapters across India. These student innovators:
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Pitched their startups to a distinguished jury
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Participated in elevator pitch rounds
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Showcased working prototypes during the Startup Showcase
The top 6 teams were selected for the final round, with all participants gaining rare exposure to India’s thriving entrepreneurial landscape.
The Student Entrepreneurship Summit 2025 has set a strong precedent for how youth, innovation, and industry leaders can converge to build a future-ready generation. With inspiring voices like Nehal Wadhera and a platform like TiE Delhi-NCR, the future of Indian entrepreneurship looks brighter than ever.
