India is the world’s talent capital in the making, driven by youth, innovation, and opportunity

Over the past decade, education has undergone a fundamental transformation. Globally, there has been a move from knowledge transfer to skill-building and problem-solving”, says Gopal Shukla, CEO – IITB WashU in an exclusive interaction with Bizz Buzz.

Digital platforms, online learning, and experiential education are now central to how students prepare for the future. In India, the entrepreneurial landscape has matured significantly - startups are no longer viewed as risky side projects but as legitimate career paths

Over the past decade, what major shifts have you observed in the education and entrepreneurship landscape in India and globally?

Over the past decade, education has undergone a fundamental transformation. Globally, there has been a move from knowledge transfer to skill-building and problem-solving. Digital platforms, online learning, and experiential education are now central to how students prepare for the future. In India, the entrepreneurial landscape has matured significantly - startups are no longer viewed as risky side projects but as legitimate career paths.

Access to capital, global exposure and government support have created an ecosystem where innovation can thrive.Government schemes like Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, and Seed Fund Schemes have lowered barriers by offering tax exemptions, infrastructure support, incubators, and mentorship to early-stage ventures.

India’s startup count rose from just hundreds in 2016 to over 128,000, making it the world’s third-largest ecosystem.

How do you see India evolving as a global hub for talent, startups, and higher education?

India is uniquely positioned to become the world’s talent capital. Our demographic dividend—young, ambitious professionals—combined with world-class institutions and a vibrant startup ecosystem, has already placed us on the global stage.

Increasingly, Indian startups are not just serving local needs but are building products for the world. Higher education is also globalising, with partnerships such as the IIT Bombay–WashU joint EMBA enabling students to access international-quality curricula, global exposure, and leadership training while staying rooted in India.

Over the next decade, I see India evolving as a hub of innovation, attracting Global Capability Centres (GCCs) that aren’t just back-office or low-cost operations but strategic R&D, AI, cloud, platform engineering centres.

India’s youthful, tech-skilled workforce, rising at scale (especially across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities), combined with policy incentives, infrastructure, and increasing capital inflows, positions the country to export talent, develop deep-tech universities, and host more world-ranked research partnerships.

With AI and digital transformation reshaping industries, how should education and entrepreneurship adapt to stay future-ready?

AI is no longer an emerging trend—it is the present reality. Education must prepare students to be AI native, meaning they should be comfortable applying technology to solve real problems. Entrepreneurship, in turn, must integrate AI and digital tools into their business models from day one.

More importantly, both education and entrepreneurship must emphasise adaptability, interdisciplinary learning, and the human skills—creativity, empathy, ethical reasoning, critical thinking, collaboration, and lifelong learning—that machines cannot replicate—while leveraging generative AI, data analytics, and immersive technologies to stay globally competitive and future-ready.

Policymakers and institutions must also encourage experimentation and hands-on learning in real-world contexts.

What skills do you believe young professionals and students must develop to succeed in the next 10 years?

The future belongs to those who can combine technical depth with adaptive thinking. In short, success will require a balance of hard skills to leverage emerging technologies, digital tools, and automation, alongside soft skills that foster creativity, adaptability, human-centric leadership, and lifelong learning, enabling young professionals to thrive in rapidly evolving industries globally.

How supportive has the Indian ecosystem—government, universities, and investors—been in nurturing innovation and new ventures?

The Indian ecosystem has taken remarkable strides in the last decade. Initiatives like Startup India, Digital India, and the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) have reduced barriers for entrepreneurs. AIM, for instance, supports over 100 incubators and accelerators across the country, facilitating innovation across sectors.

Universities are increasingly creating incubation centers, fostering entrepreneurship as part of the academic journey. Institutions such as Amrita TBI and C-CAMP have been instrumental in nurturing startups through mentorship and access to infrastructure.

Investors are showing greater confidence in early-stage ventures. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) has disbursed over Rs300 crore to support startups at the proof-of-concept stage. Additionally, state-level policies, like Maharashtra's Rs500 crore "Maha-Fund," aim to support 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs.

While challenges around regulatory complexity and access to global markets persist, the direction is clear—India is nurturing innovation more actively than ever before. The combined efforts of the government, educational institutions, and investors are creating a robust ecosystem for startups to thrive.

What are the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face today in scaling their ideas into sustainable ventures?

The biggest challenge is scaling with sustainability. Many startups can build products and attract initial funding, but the test lies in achieving profitable growth. Challenges include: access to long-term patient capital, building strong leadership teams, navigating regulatory environments, and competing globally.

Additionally, entrepreneurs must increasingly balance financial success with social and environmental responsibility. A 2025 Deloitte report highlights that 65% of IT startups report difficulties hiring professionals with specialized skills like AI and cybersecurity.

Furthermore, only 20% of startups progress beyond Series A funding, indicating a significant funding gap. A PwC study shows that while venture capital investments reached £15 billion in 2024, only 20% of startups progress beyond Series A funding. These challenges underscore the need for a supportive ecosystem to foster sustainable growth.

How do you see Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities contributing to the future of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship in India?

Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will play a defining role in India’s innovation story. They bring three advantages: untapped talent, cost-effective ecosystems, and local problem statements that need innovative solutions. With digital connectivity, entrepreneurs no longer need to be in metros to build global businesses.

We are already seeing startups and educational institutions in smaller cities creating national impact. A 2025 KPMG report highlights that 45% of India's startups now originate from these regions, generating local jobs and preventing youth migration.

State initiatives like Maharashtra's Global Competence Centre Policy aim to establish 400 new centres by 2030, focusing on cities like Nashik and Nagpur. These efforts are creating a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, do you believe the next decade will be defined more by technology, purpose-driven leadership, or a balance of both?

It will undoubtedly be a balance of both. Technology will remain the most powerful enabler of change—but it is purpose-driven leadership that will decide whether that change benefits society. The organizations of the future will be judged not only by what they build, but why and how they build it.

At IITB–WashU, we emphasize exactly this blend: equipping leaders with cutting-edge knowledge while grounding them in ethics, empathy, and long-term purpose. A 2025 Forbes article highlights that purpose-driven leaders who prioritize people and values alongside technological advancement foster innovation and resilience in their organizations.