On August 10, 2025, Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) in Odisha announced a groundbreaking directive. The university instructed each of its nearly 140 affiliated engineering colleges to launch at least one startup within two years. This move redefines how technical education operates in the state. The university aims to transform students from job seekers into job creators.
2. Vision and Institutional Strategy
Vice-Chancellor Amiya Kumar Rath shared the vision with clarity. He stated that BPUT will prepare a structured blueprint to support the entire startup journey — from ideation to commercialization. The plan includes financial support, direct industry connections, and a network of experienced mentors. The leadership wants students to think like entrepreneurs from the moment they enter their first year. Rath made it clear that the initiative will not remain symbolic. The university will monitor progress and hold colleges accountable for results.
3. Incubation Infrastructure and Startup Support
BPUT already runs a central incubation center. The administration will now expand its capacity to handle the surge of student-led ventures. The university also plans to set up a dedicated startup-assisting company. This company will manage business operations for emerging ventures, handle consultations, and connect founders to funding opportunities. By creating a corporate-style body, BPUT aims to give startups a professional environment similar to industry accelerators.
4. Hackathons as Idea Catalysts
The university will organize annual hackathons across its colleges. These events will bring together students from multiple disciplines to solve real-world problems within a limited timeframe. Judges will select the most promising ideas for further development into startups. This process will help BPUT identify strong talent and business potential early. Hackathons will also encourage teamwork, rapid prototyping, and the ability to pitch under pressure — skills essential for entrepreneurship.
5. Center of Excellence in Drone Technology
BPUT plans to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) in drone technology. The center will focus on research, design, testing, and application of drones in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, security, and disaster management. By focusing on drones, BPUT is tapping into a high-growth industry with global demand. Industry partners will collaborate with the CoE to offer technical guidance, internships, and pilot projects. This approach will ensure that students develop market-ready skills while creating commercially viable products.
6. Building a Campus-Wide Startup Culture
BPUT wants to spread the entrepreneurial mindset across all its colleges. Large and well-equipped colleges will lead the way, while smaller institutions will receive mentorship and resources to catch up. The initiative will not only involve current students but also welcome alumni participation. By engaging past graduates, BPUT will add valuable industry experience and networks to its startup ecosystem. This culture shift will encourage students to view entrepreneurship as a viable and exciting career path.
7. Learning from Gujarat’s Best Practices
BPUT leaders recently traveled to Gujarat with representatives from OUTR Bhubaneswar and VSSUT Burla. The team visited successful innovation hubs and incubation centers to understand how they operate. They studied funding models, mentorship programs, and strategies for scaling student startups. After the visit, the delegation presented its findings to the Odisha government. The university intends to adapt proven strategies rather than experiment blindly. This readiness to learn from other states reflects a practical approach to policymaking.
Breaking It Down: Themes, Impact, and Opportunities
A. Closing the Gap Between Academia and Industry
BPUT wants to shift its role from merely preparing students for jobs to preparing them to create jobs. By requiring colleges to produce startups, the university ensures that students apply their technical knowledge to solve problems in the marketplace. This hands-on experience will bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs.
B. Combining Accountability with Opportunity
The “one startup per college” target creates a clear and measurable goal. Colleges must take concrete steps to meet the target, such as setting up innovation cells, hiring entrepreneurship coordinators, and running idea scouting competitions. Students receive opportunities to innovate, while administrators remain accountable for delivering results.
C. Professional Support for Young Ventures
The startup-assisting company will provide legal, financial, and operational services to new ventures. Founders will learn how to register a company, create financial projections, and approach investors. This support will help reduce the failure rate of student startups, which often struggle in their early months.
D. Drone CoE as a Sector-Specific Catalyst
By focusing on drones, BPUT positions itself in a booming market. The CoE will offer access to labs, testing zones, and government-approved flying areas. Students will work on agricultural spraying systems, drone-based delivery services, and aerial survey technology. This specialization will allow BPUT to produce niche startups with high export potential.
E. Hackathons as a Talent and Innovation Pipeline
Hackathons will become the breeding ground for fresh ideas and future founders. BPUT will channel winners directly into incubation programs. This reduces the gap between ideation and business execution. Hackathons will also attract corporate sponsors who can mentor and potentially acquire student startups.
F. Learning from Other States
By studying Gujarat’s startup success stories, BPUT avoids common mistakes. The university can immediately implement tested methods, such as startup seed funds, dedicated entrepreneurship faculty, and public-private incubation partnerships. This knowledge transfer speeds up ecosystem development.
Why This Matters for Odisha and Beyond
- Strengthening Odisha’s Innovation Ecosystem
The initiative will create hundreds of student startups in the next two years, adding jobs, attracting investments, and promoting homegrown technology. - Early Exposure to Entrepreneurship
Engineering students will gain practical business experience before graduation, making them more competitive in the job market and more confident in launching ventures. - National Replication Potential
If successful, BPUT’s model can inspire other state universities to set measurable startup targets and create specialized centers of excellence. - Boost to the Drone Sector
The Drone CoE can make Odisha a leader in drone-based innovation in India, attracting companies and research collaborations from across the country.
What the Next Two Years Could Look Like
Success Indicators
- At least 140 student-led startups operating across diverse fields such as agri-tech, AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
- Student ventures securing seed funding, winning national competitions, and entering accelerator programs.
- The Drone CoE emerging as a recognized hub for drone research and product development in Eastern India.
- Inter-college collaboration on joint startup projects and resource sharing.
Possible Challenges
- Smaller colleges may lack adequate infrastructure or faculty expertise.
- Convincing students and faculty to embrace risk-taking may require cultural change.
- Sustaining funding for incubation and CoE operations will demand continuous financial planning.
- Administrative processes for forming the startup-assisting company may face delays.
Roadmap for Stakeholders
| Stakeholder | Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| University Leaders | Allocate funds, track startup progress, and fast-track the setup of the assisting company. |
| College Principals | Create innovation cells, recruit entrepreneurship mentors, and host idea camps. |
| Industry Partners | Offer internships, mentorship, and pilot projects to student teams. |
| Alumni | Provide seed funding, share industry knowledge, and connect students with investors. |
| Students | Participate in hackathons, validate ideas, and use incubation support to launch MVPs. |
| Government | Offer co-funding schemes, tax benefits, and policy incentives for student startups. |
Conclusion
BPUT’s decision to require each affiliated college to launch a startup within two years marks a historic shift in Odisha’s higher education landscape. The combination of incubation facilities, a startup-assisting company, hackathons, and a Drone Technology CoE forms a strong backbone for this initiative. By blending accountability with opportunity, BPUT is creating a clear path for student entrepreneurs to turn ideas into thriving businesses. The move will not only shape the future of its students but also position Odisha as a growing center for innovation in India. If executed effectively, this model could redefine how universities nationwide approach entrepreneurship.
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