Teen Startups Are Pitching Like Pros! Highlights From TiE’s Student Summit

In a world where entrepreneurship is no longer reserved for seasoned professionals or Ivy League graduates, TiE Delhi-NCR is proving that innovation can start as early as high school. With the first-ever Student Entrepreneurship Summit 2025, the organization has thrown open the doors of India’s startup ecosystem to its most enthusiastic newcomers — students.

And if the summit’s energy was anTiey indication, the future of India’s innovation economy is in very good hands.

Tie Student Entrepreneurship Summit

Held in New Delhi on June 23, the summit was a vibrant blend of inspiration, mentorship, and startup action. Over 400 students from more than 50 schools and colleges across India descended upon the venue, eager to showcase ideas, build ventures, and learn from the best in the ecosystem.

The one-day summit was packed with keynotes, fireside chats, masterclasses, and startup showcases, offering students a rare backstage pass into the world of entrepreneurship. It wasn’t just another conference — it was a launchpad for student-led change.

“Two high-energy days packed with ideas, innovation, and inspiration — from proudly hosting the TYE Global Finals to launching the maiden Student Entrepreneurship Summit. At TiE Delhi-NCR, we’re proud to be the torchbearers of a national movement to nurture tomorrow’s founders,” said Upasana Sharma, Executive Director at TiE Delhi-NCR.

Sports, Startups & Self-Belief: A Cricketer’s Take on Entrepreneurship

In a unique crossover between sports and startups, Indian cricketer Nehal Wadhera — rising star of IPL’s Punjab Kings — headlined a compelling fireside chat. His message to students was loud and clear: whether you’re on the field or in a pitch room, it’s the same mindset that wins.

“Rules of sportsmanship also apply to entrepreneurship — having self-confidence, giving your 100%, and blurring out the noise to achieve the goal,” said Wadhera. His journey from cricketing arenas to addressing future founders served as a powerful metaphor: success is about grit, not just talent.

A Melting Pot of Ideas, Mentors & Opportunity

The speaker lineup read like a who’s who of the Indian startup ecosystem — with seasoned entrepreneurs, marketing leaders, policy makers, and investors all coming together to guide student innovators. Speakers included:

• R. Satya Narayanan, Founder & Chairman, CareerLauncher

• Aurnob Godinho, Director of Brand, Bombay Shaving Company

• Anoushka Jolly, Founder, Kavach App

• Pankaj Bansal, Assistant Manager, NIXI

• Vineet Sagar, Managing Partner, Venture Garage

This wasn’t just a stage — it was a mentorship marathon, where students interacted directly with people who’ve walked the entrepreneurial path and built ventures from scratch.

Spotlight on Student Startups: The TYE Global Finals

At the heart of the summit was the TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Global Finals — a flagship initiative of TiE that turns high schoolers into startup founders. The program is designed to provide hands-on startup experience, leadership training, and exposure to real-world business challenges.

This year, TiE Delhi-NCR had the honour of hosting the Global Finals, which saw participation from 16 top teams representing TiE chapters across India and the US.

The atmosphere was electric as students pitched their ventures to a jury of investors and startup veterans. In minutes, they had to explain their product, prove customer need, and defend their business model — all while holding their nerves.

Among the standout teams was Team Syncora Wearables from TiE Delhi-NCR, who secured a spot among the Top 6 finalists. Their idea, along with those from Key Beauty and Kymavi (TiE Seattle), The Japa Store (TiE Udaipur), Fibre Flow (TiE Houston), and OOMI (TiE Rajasthan), highlighted the creativity and commitment of the next-gen founders.

Recognizing Future Founders: Awards That Matter

The event concluded with a galaxy of awards that celebrated not just great ideas, but strong execution, teamwork, and impact. Some of the key recognitions included:

• Best Customer Validation (India): TiE Ahmedabad (Breeze Power), TiE Rajasthan (OOMI)

• Best Business Model (India): TiE Bangalore (Florascent), TiE Hyderabad (Familiar Faces)

• Best Execution (India): TiE Kolkata (Solayr), TiE Udaipur (The Japa Store), TiE Chandigarh (Intellilock)

• Best Teamwork (India): TiE UP (Get My Team), TiE Kerala (S.M.A.R.T & iSafe)

On the global side, TiE Seattle’s Team Kymavi took home the top award, followed by Key Beauty and OOMI as first and second runners-up, respectively.

From Elevator Pitch winners to Maker Faire recognitions, each award celebrated a unique aspect of the entrepreneurial journey — proving that there’s no one way to succeed, but every win starts with the courage to begin.

More Than Just a Summit — It’s a Seed of Change

The Student Entrepreneurship Summit concluded with an air of promise — not just for the students who participated, but for the broader vision of what India’s startup future could look like.

Through programs like TYE and summits like this one, TiE Delhi-NCR is not just nurturing entrepreneurs — it’s creating a culture of innovation at the grassroots. With the backing of Amity University (Academic Partner), Sparkl (Co-Powered by), and Career Launcher (Gold Sponsor), this initiative stood tall as a model for what educational and entrepreneurial partnerships can achieve together.

For over two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR has been one of the most influential chapters in the global TiE Network. With its deep-rooted mentorship programs, high-impact pitch platforms, and marquee startup events, the organization has played a defining role in shaping India's entrepreneurial landscape.

Their latest initiative proves one thing — the age to start up is getting younger, but the ambition is only getting stronger.