EDII Organises Empresario Startup Summit 2026
EDII organises ‘Empresario 2026 Annual Startup Summit on ‘NextGen Youth Innovators’
On March 12, 2026, the three-day Empresario 2026 Annual Startup Summit of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, got underway on the campus. The 15th annual flagship event, Empresario Startup Summit 2026, is themed “NextGen Youth Innovators.” On March 14, 2026, the event will come to an end.
The Empresario Startup Summit is a nationwide gathering place for startups, modern entrepreneurs, industry mentors, investors, and the student body to share entrepreneurial experiences, exchange ideas, and obtain useful insights into creating sustainable businesses. Since its founding in 2012, Empresario has grown to become one of the biggest events for entrepreneurs, encouraging creativity, teamwork, and ecosystem involvement.
The summit was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri Arjun Modhwadia, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Science & Technology, Forest & Environment, Climate Change, Gujarat. Along with Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, also present on the occasion were Mr. Hiranmay Mahanta, CEO, Innovation Growth Hub (i-Hub); Dr. Dipan Sahu, Assistant Innovation Director, MoE’s Innovation Cell; Ms. Prachi Patwari, Executive Director, Nexus Infratech Pvt. Ltd. & Chairperson (2024–25), GCCI Business Women Committee and Mr. Yatindra Sharma, Convenor, CII Gujarat Startup Task Force & Managing Partner, Invesco Fiscal Services LLP.
“Gujarat is a hub of entrepreneurship and has always encouraged innovations and enterprises,” said Chief Guest Shri Arjun Modhwadia, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Science & Technology, Forest & Environment, Climate Change, Gujarat, during his inauguration speech. We can create a thriving startup ecosystem that advances the state and the country by enabling the next generation of innovators in this age of ideas, incubation, investors, and innovators. I think our young people have what it takes to succeed and make a significant contribution to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
“Today is the time of innovators and innovations,” stated Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, as he greeted the visitors. The young people need to take the initiative and seize the chances that present themselves.
In the robust entrepreneurship ecosystem that the state and the nation are rapidly developing, they only need to come up with ideas, and everything else will fall into place. EDII is still dedicated to developing the next generation of innovators who will propel sustainable growth and produce societal solutions.
“I encourage students to keep an eye out for opportunities, never hesitate from thinking out-of-the-box, and continue innovating,” stated Mr. Hiranmay Mahanta, CEO of Innovation Growth Hub (i-Hub). Every social class and geographical area has government organisations and policies that strongly encourage innovation and technology. All students need to do is continue to advance and be passionate about their ideas.
“India’s youth possess immense potential, and platforms like Empresario provide them with valuable exposure and networking opportunities,” stated Dr. Dipan Sahu, Assistant Innovation Director, MoE Innovation Cell. To become a vital component of the innovation ecosystem, they must concentrate on broadening their perspectives, comprehending new market gaps, and fostering their entrepreneurial mindset.
“Young innovators are redefining the landscape of entrepreneurship with bold ideas and perseverance,” stated Ms. Prachi Patwari, Executive Director of Nexus Infratech Pvt. Ltd. and Chairperson of the GCCI Business Women Committee for 2024–2025. For these young innovators, organisations like EDII are developing powerful platforms that provide them with networks, mentorship, and chances to develop as a community.
I urge the students in attendance to have high dreams and become tomorrow’s achievers.
“The startup ecosystem in India is witnessing remarkable momentum, which is largely driven by young entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Yatindra Sharma, Convenor, CII Gujarat Start-up TaskForce, & Managing Partner, Invesco Fiscal Services LLP.Many times, obstacles in the way prevent good ideas from being implemented. Students must take advantage of occasions like these to investigate and open up, bringing their ideas to the level of full-fledged endeavours.
The institution held regional rounds of the Tech Business Idea Pitch (BIP) Competition in several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Goa, Assam, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, as part of the summit.
Over a thousand students participated in these programs, and 115 young entrepreneurs were chosen to pitch their startup ideas to the investor panel in the BIG PITCH phase of the Summit at EDII. In order to secure funding, the innovators will present their concepts to potential investors.
The three-day Empresario Startup Summit 2026 will include keynote speeches, expert presentations, panel discussions on entrepreneurial prospects and innovation-led careers, as well as hands-on masterclasses and workshops for attendees. Along with cultural and engagement events like a talent show and musical performance, the summit will also provide networking opportunities for startups, students, mentors, and industry stakeholders.
Mr. Aman Gupta, a startup investor and entrepreneur, will give a special address at the conference on March 13. An exhibition featuring the goods of forty-five innovators is another significant aspect of the Summit.
More than 1,000 students, companies, academics, and important stakeholders are anticipated to attend the conference.
