Imarticus Learning’s education-focused institution, the Imarticus School of Finance and Business (ISFB), has announced the launch of a ₹25 crore venture fund aimed at supporting student-led startups in India. The fund has been introduced in partnership with early-stage investment platform BLinC Invest and is designed to help young founders turn their ideas into viable businesses while they are still pursuing their education.
With this move, ISFB is stepping beyond conventional classroom learning and entering the startup ecosystem in a meaningful way. The initiative reflects a growing belief that entrepreneurship should be encouraged early, especially among students who are already exposed to business, finance, and management education. By providing structured capital and expert guidance, the institution aims to create a strong foundation for innovation at the college level.
ISFB Bridging the Gap Between Campus and Startups
The newly launched venture fund focuses on students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, giving them access to early-stage funding that is usually difficult to secure at a young age. Many student founders struggle to move beyond the idea stage due to lack of capital, industry exposure, and mentorship. ISFB’s fund attempts to address these challenges by offering both financial support and hands-on guidance.
Rather than functioning as a traditional investment vehicle, the fund is closely integrated with the academic ecosystem of ISFB. Selected student founders will be supported through structured mentoring, business strategy inputs, and operational guidance. This approach allows students to balance academics with entrepreneurship, while gaining real-world experience in building and running startups.
Focus on Mentorship and Long-Term Value
A key highlight of the initiative is its strong emphasis on mentorship. Along with capital, student founders will gain access to experienced investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals associated with BLinC Invest and the wider ISFB network. This guidance is expected to help young entrepreneurs avoid common early-stage mistakes and build sustainable business models.
The fund is likely to back startups across sectors, encouraging innovation in areas such as fintech, business services, technology, and consumer-focused solutions. By supporting experimentation and learning, ISFB aims to nurture problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial thinking that go beyond textbooks.
Strengthening India’s Student Startup Ecosystem
India has witnessed a sharp rise in youth-led startups over the past decade, but access to early funding remains a major hurdle for student founders. Initiatives like ISFB’s ₹25 crore venture fund are expected to play an important role in strengthening the grassroots startup ecosystem by identifying talent early and providing structured support.
The fund also aligns with the broader national push towards entrepreneurship and innovation, where educational institutions are increasingly seen as incubators of future business leaders. By encouraging students to build companies during their academic years, ISFB is helping create a culture where entrepreneurship is viewed as a practical career path rather than a post-graduation risk.
A Step Towards Future-Ready Education
Alongside entrepreneurship, ISFB continues to focus on preparing students for global careers in finance and business. The institution has been expanding its academic offerings and career support initiatives to ensure students are industry-ready. The venture fund adds another dimension to this vision by allowing students to apply their learning in real business environments.
With the launch of this ₹25 crore fund, ISFB is positioning itself as an institution that actively participates in shaping India’s next generation of founders. As more student-led startups emerge from campuses, such initiatives could redefine how higher education and entrepreneurship work together in the country.
The fund is expected to start backing promising student ventures in the coming months, potentially setting a precedent for other educational institutions to follow.