NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, India, July 30, 2026 — The Shiv Nadar Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, in collaboration with StartinUP, the flagship startup initiative of the Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, successfully launched the inaugural edition of The Capital Connect, a dedicated startup-investor engagement platform aimed at strengthening collaboration across India’s innovation ecosystem.
Held at the HCL Group Office in Noida, the event brought together more than 50 participants, including startups, venture capital firms, alternative investment funds (AIFs), government representatives, corporate leaders, innovation experts and ecosystem stakeholders. The initiative is designed to improve startups’ access to investment opportunities, facilitate strategic partnerships and accelerate venture growth through meaningful engagement between entrepreneurs and investors.
The inaugural edition was inaugurated by Shri Himanshu Kaushik (IAS), Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited (UPLC), who attended as the Guest of Honour.
Strengthening Startup Access to Capital
As India’s startup ecosystem continues to mature, access to capital and strategic mentorship remain critical factors for early-stage ventures seeking sustainable growth. The Capital Connect has been developed as a structured platform to bridge this gap by creating direct engagement opportunities between founders and investors.
A major highlight of the event was Venture Connect, a curated session where 20 shortlisted startups participated in focused one-on-one meetings with investors who had expressed interest in their businesses. These interactions enabled founders to present their business models, discuss growth strategies and explore investment and partnership opportunities.
The program also featured two panel discussions that examined key aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Startup founders shared insights into their entrepreneurial journeys, operational challenges and scaling experiences, while leading investors discussed emerging funding trends, evolving investment priorities and the characteristics they seek in high-potential startups.
Government Reinforces Commitment to Entrepreneurship
Addressing the gathering, Shri Himanshu Kaushik (IAS), Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited, highlighted the state’s commitment to fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship.
“Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a dynamic hub for startups, supported by a growing pool of entrepreneurs, talent and innovation-led enterprises. Through StartinUP, we are creating an enabling ecosystem where founders can access mentorship, markets, capital and institutional support. The Capital Connect creates meaningful opportunities for startups to engage directly with investors and build partnerships that support long-term growth. Our commitment is to support entrepreneurs throughout their journey—from the earliest stages to successful commercialization and sustainable business growth.”
Creating Meaningful Founder–Investor Engagement
Mr. Pawan Danwar, CFO & President, HCL Group and Shiv Nadar Foundation, emphasized the importance of value-driven entrepreneurship and collaborative ecosystems.
“Successful businesses are built by solving genuine problems with purpose and integrity. At the Shiv Nadar Atal Incubation Centre, we are committed to creating an ecosystem where startups can innovate, collaborate and scale. Platforms such as The Capital Connect help bridge the gap between innovative founders and investors by enabling focused conversations and building relationships that can support sustainable business growth.”
Building Momentum Towards InvestoPitch 4.0
The Capital Connect represents the first in a series of startup-investor engagement programs planned by Shiv Nadar AIC ahead of InvestoPitch 4.0, the incubation center’s flagship investor-connect platform.
Promising startups emerging from these engagement sessions will have the opportunity to present their ventures before a wider investor community at InvestoPitch 4.0, expanding their visibility and access to growth capital.
Through this collaboration, Shiv Nadar AIC and StartinUP aim to establish a sustained engagement platform that enhances investment readiness, deepens collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors, and supports the growth of technology-led startups.
Driving Innovation Through Collaborative Ecosystems
Sheeba Khan, CEO, Shiv Nadar Atal Incubation Centre, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.
“The Government of Uttar Pradesh’s StartinUP initiative has played an important role in accelerating entrepreneurship across the state. We are delighted to collaborate with an initiative that shares our vision of empowering founders and enabling innovation-led growth. Through The Capital Connect, startups gain valuable opportunities to engage directly with investors, receive strategic insights and build relationships that can support the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey.”
Aligned with the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s vision of positioning the state as a leading innovation and entrepreneurship hub, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR continues to strengthen initiatives that connect startups with investors, industry leaders and policymakers. By expanding access to funding, mentorship and strategic partnerships, the university aims to support technology-driven enterprises while contributing to India’s innovation-led economic development.
About Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR
Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, is a multidisciplinary, research-focused institution established in 2011 by the Shiv Nadar Foundation. Recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India, the university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs across multiple disciplines. It is ranked among the top institutions in Asia by QS Asia Rankings 2025, recognized among India’s leading research institutions by the Nature India Index 2024, and has consistently featured among the top 100 institutions in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
About Shiv Nadar Atal Incubation Centre
Established in 2017 with the support of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, the Shiv Nadar Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) is a technology-agnostic incubation centre supporting startups through mentorship, incubation, investor access, research infrastructure, industry partnerships and business development programs. The centre works with ventures across emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics, healthtech, agritech and Industry 4.0.
About StartinUP
StartinUP is the flagship startup initiative of the Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, implemented by Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited (UPLC). The initiative supports startups through policy assistance, incubation, funding facilitation, mentorship, investor engagement and market access while fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and employment generation across the state.
Media Contacts
Priyanka Naithani
Email: priyanka.naithani@shivnadarfoundation.org
Monika Singh
Email: monikas@avianwe.com
