Building a Truly Great Incubator; A New Doctrine for Academic Institutions… By Mukesh Gupta

Preface – Why I Am Writing This…

Friends, let me start with a confession. These days, the word incubator has become fashionable. Every college wants one. Beanbags in a hall, Wi-Fi, a few posters of mentors on the wall, and lo - it’s called an “Incubation Centre.”

But let me ask you honestly - does that really make any difference to students, to industry, or to the city’s economy? If we strip away the glossy posters, how many incubators actually help build real enterprises, solve real problems, and create lasting value?

This is why I am writing. To propose a new doctrine for academic incubators - one that is not just cosmetic, but deeply useful.

How good is this idea of rethinking incubators? Very good - because unless we change the way incubators are conceived, they will remain symbolic gestures.

How useful will this be for academic institutions? Incredibly useful - because it will allow them to play a central role in shaping not just graduates, but an entire city’s growth story.

And how unique is this approach? Unique enough to give Jaipur, and any other city that adopts it, a model to be proud of globally.