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Inspiring Innovation: NCU’s Dynamic Startup Landscape
Innovation and entrepreneurship are vital for economic growth and job creation. Universities play a crucial role by nurturing young talent and providing support systems to translate ideas into successful tech startups. The NorthCap University (NCU) has emerged as a pioneer in building a robust incubation ecosystem for student and faculty startups to thrive.
NCU established its STICTH to provide startup mentoring, infrastructure, seed funding, and training. The STICTH has supported over 50 startups led by students who are developing innovative solutions in domains like AI, machine learning, IoT, blockchain, robotics, and biotech. The startups receive guidance on business strategies, marketing, fundraising, and more to transform concepts into market-ready products.
Some prominent startups nurtured at NCU STICTH include:
10 Startups are under Pre- incubation Process:
- iSORT (Healthtech)
- flxclass (Edtech)
- bigboxo (Ticketing)
- xopto (Healthtech)
- mbrace (Healthtech)
- playformee (Entertainment)
- Hoppstart (Fintech)
- MustBites (F&B)
- Sealhawk (Infratech)
- Unfogot (e-commerce)
NCU has established a Startup School Program to promote a culture of innovation among students via ideations, hackathons, workshops, and more. This has led to several technological innovations.
Trailblazing Research and Innovation
NCU has been at the forefront of research in new-age technologies often collaborating with industry leaders. The prestigious IBM Lab set up at NCU facilitates IBM PhD scholars to work alongside professors and students in research areas like AI, machine learning, IoT, blockchain, quantum computing, and data sciences.
Some groundbreaking projects at NCU’s IBM lab include:
- Detecting cyberbullying in comments and posts on social media platforms using NLP.
- We are exploring the role of AI and robotics in assisted living for the elderly and disabled.
- Applying AI for optimized decision-making in renewable energy production.
- Using machine learning for predictive analysis of crop yields and irrigation needs.
- Building autonomous warehouses using IoT and robotics.
NCU has partnered with ASU to work on AI projects with societal impact spanning healthcare, agriculture, and more. Faculty members are also working with premier institutes like IIT Delhi on sponsored research projects in interdisciplinary areas.
Students are encouraged to work on research and showcase their prototypes at national and global tech events. NCU student projects have won accolades in competitions by Toyota and Texas Instruments.
By spearheading research and entrepreneurship, NCU is advancing science for a better future. The university aims to find solutions to global challenges by leveraging its talented student community and expert faculty.
Incubating Startups of the Future
NCU also focuses on healthcare startups. Telemedicine and AI for affordable diagnostic solutions are key areas here. Another niche incubator for software startups was also set up recently.
These incubators provide specialised mentoring relevant to the industry vertical along with tools, tech, and seed funding access. Startups get access to apply for various government grants and VC funding to scale their operations.
NCU also facilitates connections between startups, industry leaders, and the government. Some of NCU’s startups have secured projects via government initiatives like Smart City and Digital India.
Students Leading the Entrepreneur Revolution
NCU has instituted an elective course on technology entrepreneurship covering modules to build an entrepreneurial mindset. Several co-curricular activities also motivate students to be innovators and creators. This has created a strong pipeline of budding student entrepreneurs.
Over 15 student startups have bagged seed funding of up to Rs 30 lakhs from the university to date. The NCU STICTH Gen-Next Challenge invites business model proposals from students with exciting prizes. Initiatives like Sanjeevani and Sampark help students understand rural challenges and build tech solutions.
NCU student entrepreneurs are founding startups spanning agri-tech, AI in finance, IoT-enabled devices, pollution control technologies, and more. These young innovators and creators will shape the future.
Why Choose NCU for Building a Career?
As a pioneer in next-gen technologies, entrepreneurship, and research, NCU offers vibrant programs in Computer Science, Electronics, and AI alongside traditional engineering and management disciplines.
Students gain exposure to emerging trends via projects and research work with renowned industry and academic partners. This empowers students with cutting-edge skills to stay ahead.
State-of-the-art labs such as IBM Lab, Centre for Medical Technologies, and more facilitate hands-on learning. Students also have access to the incubation ecosystem to build and test prototypes.
With tie-ups with 200+ industry majors like IBM, Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, and more, students get ample internship and job opportunities including international placements.
Situated in the educational hub of Gurugram near Delhi/NCR, the world-class NCU campus is a talent-rich and fast-expanding global R&D captive center. This boosts career prospects for graduates.
The university focuses strongly on holistic development via student chapters, annual tech fests, hackathons, and cultural events helping nurture well-rounded professionals.
NCU alumni have taken leadership roles in global majors like Google, Accenture, Infosys, and more. With its accomplishments in research and entrepreneurship, strong academic foundation, industry connections, and vibrant student culture, NCU promises bright career trajectories for students.