News

Roorkee | 20 February 2026

As part of its continued commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, Quantum University organized an educational exposure visit to the Runway Incubation Center at UPES, Dehradun on 20 February 2026. The visit was designed to provide students with practical insights into startup incubation, innovation ecosystems, and industry–academia collaboration.

The exposure visit was conducted for active members of the Women Entrepreneurship Cell (WE Cell), Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell), and students enrolled in the BBA Minor Program in Entrepreneurship Development. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of entrepreneurship, participants were drawn from various academic programs and departments across the University.

Objective of the Visit

The primary objective of the exposure visit was to offer students first-hand experience of how incubation centers function and how they support early-stage startups. While classroom instruction introduces students to the fundamentals of business planning, innovation, and venture creation, the visit aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world entrepreneurial practice.

Through direct interaction with incubation professionals, students gained a deeper understanding of how innovative ideas are transformed into viable business ventures. The visit highlighted the structured processes involved in startup mentoring, resource allocation, funding facilitation, and growth strategy development.

Learning Experience and Key Insights

During the visit, students were introduced to the working model of the Runway Incubation Center, including its role in nurturing innovative ideas and supporting entrepreneurs at various stages of development. The sessions focused on:

• The startup incubation lifecycle
• Mentorship frameworks and advisory support
• Funding avenues and investor connection opportunities
• Networking platforms for collaborative growth
• Infrastructure and technical support systems
• Industry partnerships and market linkages

The interactive discussions provided valuable insights into how incubation centers create an enabling ecosystem for startups to experiment, refine, and scale their ideas. Students learned about the challenges faced by early-stage ventures and the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic planning in overcoming them.

The visit also emphasized the role of collaboration between academia and industry in strengthening innovation ecosystems. Students observed how structured incubation support helps transform conceptual business ideas into scalable enterprises.

Experiential Learning and Entrepreneurial Orientation

One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the opportunity for experiential learning. By interacting with professionals and observing operational processes within an incubation center, students were able to contextualize entrepreneurial concepts studied in classrooms.

The exposure helped them understand:

• The practical challenges of launching a startup
• The importance of market validation and product–market fit
• Risk management and strategic decision-making
• The value of mentorship and peer networks

Such real-world exposure reinforced the importance of innovation-driven thinking and encouraged students to approach entrepreneurship with clarity and informed planning.

Faculty Accompaniment and Institutional Support

The students were accompanied by Dr. Shalini Verma, Convener – WE Cell and Faculty of Entrepreneurship Development, along with the E-Cell Convener, who guided and supported the participants throughout the visit.

The initiative reflects Quantum University’s broader vision of integrating academic learning with practical industry exposure. By facilitating visits to leading incubation centers, the University continues to strengthen its focus on industry-linked experiential learning.

Conclusion

The educational exposure visit to the Runway Incubation Center at UPES proved to be a highly enriching experience for participating students. It broadened their perspective on entrepreneurship, enhanced their understanding of startup ecosystems, and motivated them to think beyond conventional career paths.

The visit reaffirmed Quantum University’s dedication to nurturing innovation leaders and future entrepreneurs through meaningful engagement with industry and incubation platforms.

The University extends its sincere gratitude to the team at the Runway Incubation Center, UPES, for hosting the students and providing a valuable and insightful learning experience.