To foster entrepreneurship among students, the University of Mumbai is set to launch 75 start-up clinics across its jurisdiction in seven districts.
Applications have been invited from affiliated colleges and institutes to establish these clinics, which will be supported by the university’s incubator, MU IDEAS Foundation Incubation Centre. This Section 8 company is funded by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.
Dr. Sachin Laddha, Director of Innovation, Incubation and Linkages at MU, shared that the initiative will begin with 20 clinics each in Mumbai city and suburban districts.
Subsequently, 15 clinics will be established in Thane, and five each in Palghar, Sindhudurg, Raigad, and Ratnagiri.
These clinics aim to support budding student ventures from diverse educational backgrounds, creating a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups.
Each clinic will be managed by a dedicated council led by a nominated faculty member from the respective college. However, the activities will extend beyond the hosting college, offering support to student entrepreneurs from neighboring institutions.
“The Startup Clinic is a program offered by MU IDEAS to support and empower student entrepreneurs. It provides resources and support, such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to expertise, knowledge, resources, and technology available at MU IDEAS, to help student-led start-ups grow and succeed,” Dr. Laddha stated. The programme’s goal is to enhance diversity and inclusion in the start-up ecosystem, providing a supportive community for student entrepreneurs.
The clinics will offer a free virtual and physical mentorship programme, including resources such as mentorship, networking, and access to MU IDEAS’s expertise and technology.
In addition to assisting student entrepreneurs with ideas, product design, and technology strategy, the clinics will also facilitate connections with potential investors for funding opportunities.
One of the primary objectives is to provide direct access to the MU IDEAS Foundation Incubation Centre located on the Kalina campus. This access would otherwise be out of reach for many students.
These clinics will operate as joint ventures between the affiliated colleges and the MU IDEAS Foundation Incubation Centre, aiming to encourage, guide, and support enterprises by students from various higher education courses.
Each clinic will have a governance structure including the college principal as chairperson, an in-charge faculty member, three entrepreneurs, two faculty members passionate about entrepreneurship, three students, and a representative nominated by the Director of Innovation, Incubation and Linkages at MU.
