Newton School Of Technology Unveils StartX Seed Fund To Empower Student Entrepreneurs

Newton School of Technology (NST) has unveiled its innovative seed fund program StartX, aimed at fostering student entrepreneurship and supporting the development of tech-driven solutions. declared on 2nd December 2024 at NST’s Pune campus at Ajeenkya DY Patil University, the program was launched by industry leaders Pratik Poddar, Partner at Nexus Venture Partners, and entrepreneur Varun Mayya.

The StartX seed fund, with a total fund size of one crore, is designed to help students bring their startup ideas to life by offering financial backing, mentorship, and access to valuable resources. The fund will focus on tech-led products that tackle real-world challenges, empowering students to create solutions that drive innovation and shape India’s technological future.

Students will have the chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of industry experts, venture capitalists, angel investors, and other stakeholders. The program aims to foster a culture of bold ideas and transformative innovation on campus, allowing students to secure up to 10 lakh in funding to kickstart their projects.

The comprehensive StartX journey will guide students through every stage of building their solutions—from ideation to revenue generation. The program includes workshops with industry leaders on lean models, product building, and fireside chats with established founders. It also includes tailored mentorship to help students develop their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), ensuring that their ideas are well-positioned for market entry.

The program, which began in November 2024, will unfold in multiple phases, including idea submission, MVP development, and business proposal pitching, providing students with essential milestones along the way.

Even before the official start of StartX, students at NST have demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit by pitching innovative ideas to leading venture capitalists. Among the early projects underway are AI-powered study companions, hydroponic systems, and SaaS tools. Students have already gained invaluable exposure by connecting with industry leaders, laying the foundation for the seed fund program to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey.

Siddharth Maheshwari, Co-founder of Newton School, expressed, “At NST, our mission is to foster innovation, creative thinking, and technology leadership. The launch of StartX will empower students to transform their ideas into scalable, user-focused solutions, bridging the gap between academia and real-world application."

With a strong emphasis on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth, Newton School of Technology continues to position itself as a catalyst for the next generation of tech leaders. The launch of StartX marks a significant step in NST’s mission to make India a global hub for transformative ideas, empowering young entrepreneurs to shape the future of technology.

Pratik Poddar, Partner at Nexus Venture Partners, praised the initiative, saying, “Entrepreneurship is about taking bold steps and executing relentlessly. StartX provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the platform to bring their ideas to life and turn them into impactful solutions from day one.”