Entrepreneurs Asked to Mentor Future Founders as NIESBUD Launches Alumni Network Initiative

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, urged entrepreneurs to support aspiring founders during the first NIESBUD Alumni Meet 2026, where nearly 200 entrepreneurs from 19 states came together to strengthen collaboration and lifelong engagement.

Building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem requires successful founders to actively mentor and support the next generation of entrepreneurs, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, said while addressing the first NIESBUD Alumni Meet 2026 at the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development campus in Noida.
Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Alumni Connect programme brought together nearly 200 entrepreneurs from 19 states along with mentors, policymakers, industry leaders and institutional representatives to encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and continued engagement among NIESBUD alumni.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “Successful entrepreneurs must become champions for the next generation of founders by mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing their experiences and creating pathways for others to succeed.”
He added, “Learning and skilling are lifelong journeys, and our engagement with entrepreneurs should continue well beyond the classroom. If we want to build a true meritocracy, we must celebrate entrepreneurs who create value through innovation, resilience and hard work. NIESBUD’s alumni network has the potential to become a vibrant platform of collaboration and excellence, where entrepreneurs learn from one another, build meaningful partnerships and collectively strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together, we can inspire millions to pursue entrepreneurship and accelerate our journey towards a developed and self reliant India.”

During the programme, Shri Jayant Chaudhary also released two NIESBUD publications, Swavalamban Ki Ore 4, highlighting entrepreneurial success stories, institutional initiatives and alumni achievements, and Alumni Connect Volume 1, featuring entrepreneurs who have participated in programmes including the Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme, Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme and other capacity building initiatives.
Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said, “India needs millions of entrepreneurs to drive innovation, create jobs, and realise the vision of Viksit Bharat. Entrepreneurship is a lifelong journey that thrives on continuous learning and collaboration. NIESBUD’s alumni network can play a transformative role by enabling successful entrepreneurs to mentor aspiring founders, foster innovation, and help build sustainable enterprises that contribute to India’s economic growth.”

Dr. Poonam Sinha, Director General, NIESBUD, said, “Every entrepreneur who passes through NIESBUD remains a valued member of our institutional family. Through initiatives like the Alumni Meet, we aim to create an enduring ecosystem where alumni continue to connect, collaborate, mentor and inspire one another, while benefiting from new opportunities for learning, networking and business growth. We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs not only during their training journey but throughout their entrepreneurial lifecycle.”
The event also featured a session led by mentors from NITI Aayog that explored best practices in enterprise mentoring through the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, focusing on business growth, resilience and access to opportunities.
A panel discussion on Digital Growth Strategies: Leveraging ONDC, Meta and GeM for Market Expansion examined how entrepreneurs can use digital commerce, Government procurement platforms, branding, marketing and online marketplaces to expand their businesses.

Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, senior officials from the Ministry, NITI Aayog, NIESBUD, ONDC, GeM and Meta also attended the programme.
The NIESBUD Alumni Meet 2026 marks the beginning of a structured alumni engagement initiative designed to encourage continuous mentoring, collaboration, business networking and knowledge exchange while contributing to entrepreneurship, employment generation, innovation and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

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