Innovating Impact: Entrepreneurship at Ashoka

In 2013, Rahat Kulshreshtha and Gaurav Mehta (YIF’ 14) turned their class project, the Experiential Learning Module (ELM), into a revolutionary venture—Quidich Innovation Lab. The pair began experimenting with drones and aerial shots at Ashoka, which led to their first contract to cover elections for India Today the same year. The company has since worked on movies like Gully Boy and  Sanju but has shifted its focus to sports broadcasting. They have consistently introduced new and innovative technologies to bridge the gaps in broadcasting and film. The pair recently launched the ICC Immersive app for cricket, enabling online viewers to watch matches in a 3D virtual space using Apple Vision Pro. Rahat credits Ashoka’s Experiential Learning Module for starting his journey with drones and broadcasting.

The story of Quidich is not unique to Ashoka. The campus actively empowers students to transform their ideas into successful business ventures. With guidance from industry experts and avenues for collaboration and networking, many students have turned their visions into reality. In 2022, Mehr Shaw (ASP 2021) launched Maiden Kashmir, a venture that locally produces cold-pressed beverages offering products like apple cider and honey. The business began at Ashoka University as part of the Entrepreneur in Residence Programme, which provides students with mentorship, resources and strategic guidance to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. Similarly, Gitesh Aggarwal (YIF 2019) carved his entrepreneurial path at Ashoka with Sewan Foods, a startup building India’s largest tech-led affordable food platform.

The Department of Entrepreneurship at Ashoka University has built a vibrant and thriving community of entrepreneurs by bringing together students from diverse disciplines such as Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. The department’s interdisciplinary approach fosters a culture of innovation, enabling students to tackle real-world problems and develop entrepreneurial solutions. Tejas Mehta and Shivansh Verma, co-founders of Quratr, started their entrepreneurial journey at Ashoka. Quratr, a swipe-based app that helps users quickly discover and connect with experience providers for activities like travel adventures, workshops, and more, grew out of their time at Ashoka. Tejas highlights how the university’s curriculum and resources empowered him and his co-founder to transform their ideas into tangible ventures. Shivansh emphasizes that Ashoka’s entrepreneurship courses helped him bridge the gap between his tech background and the business acumen needed to build a successful enterprise.

The entrepreneurship courses at Ashoka do more than just equip students with the skills to launch businesses; they cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that empowers students to think creatively and innovatively, no matter what career they pursue. Krutika Sahu, a fourth-year student pursuing the entrepreneurship minor at Ashoka, reflects on how discussions with the faculty and peers have prepared her for her upcoming role at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Students continue to receive such support long after they graduate. The Summer Incubation Programme is designed to help entrepreneurs from the Ashoka Alumni Community. Students hone their ideas while engaging in discussions on funding and partnerships with prominent industry leaders. Students like Divasjyoti Parashar (ASP 22) launched their startups during the three-month intensive programme. His startup, Quintinno Labs, is a clean-tech company focused on developing power banks to tackle the challenges of unreliable power infrastructure in India. 

Ashoka’s ecosystem continues to offer the tools, support, and community that help students thrive, whether they start their own businesses or join established startups. Graduates of the programme bring an entrepreneurial mindset to any career they pursue. As the institution grows, it aims to continue providing a platform for innovative ideas and bold initiatives.