STARTUP 

IISF Insights: Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls Mentorship the Catalyst for Startup Success in India

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India’s startup landscape is expanding at a remarkable pace, with thousands of new ventures emerging annually across various sectors, including technology, health, education, agriculture, and deep tech. While funding and innovation often take center stage, a crucial factor is gaining long-overdue recognition and mentorship. Speaking at the India International Science Festival (IISF), Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that mentorship will be the true catalyst shaping the next wave of successful startups in India.

At a time when the country is positioning itself as a global innovation hub, his message reflects a growing understanding within the ecosystem: great ideas need great guidance.

The Growing Importance of Mentorship in India’s Startup Journey

Mentorship has always been a backbone of entrepreneurial success, but Dr. Singh highlighted why it is becoming even more essential today. As technology evolves rapidly and competition intensifies, startups need more than capital; they need strategic direction, industry insights, leadership development, and continuous support.

According to Dr. Singh, mentorship bridges the gap between aspiration and execution. It equips founders with the wisdom and clarity required to convert innovative ideas into viable, scalable businesses. More importantly, mentorship offers a safety net for first-time entrepreneurs who may lack exposure to real-world business challenges.

He reiterated that India’s startup success will increasingly depend on how well young founders are guided, trained, and empowered by seasoned industry leaders, policymakers, and domain experts.

India’s Innovation Momentum Needs Skilled Navigators

The government has introduced a series of initiatives, including Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, TIDE, iDEX, and the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG), to create a strong support system for innovators. However, Dr. Singh pointed out that while these frameworks accelerate growth, mentorship adds human intelligence, practical experience, and real-time feedback elements that no policy can fully replace.

Mentors help startups in areas like:

  • Validating business models

  • Identifying early market opportunities

  • Avoiding costly mistakes

  • Strengthening product-market fit

  • Preparing for fundraising rounds

  • Building scalable architectures and teams

He stressed that India’s next phase of innovation requires guides who understand not only technology but also global markets, customer psychology, and sustainable growth.

Why Mentorship Matters

Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored three major reasons mentorship is vital in the current startup environment:

1. Rapidly Changing Technologies

From AI and deep-tech to space technologies and biotech, Indian startups are entering complex, fast-moving fields. Mentors with domain expertise help founders decode challenges and stay ahead of the curve.

2. Fierce Global Competition

As Indian startups compete globally, strategic thinking becomes critical. Mentors provide the perspective needed to refine products and compete at an international level.

3. Higher Failure Rates Without Guidance

Many startups fail within the first three years due to weak planning, poor execution, or a lack of market fit. Effective mentorship reduces these risks significantly.

Creating a Nation of Startup Leaders Through Mentorship

Dr. Singh also called for the development of a national mentorship network where industry veterans, academicians, successful entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders work closely with new founders. Such a model can dramatically improve India’s ability to nurture talent at scale.

He highlighted the importance of:

  • Institution-supported mentorship programs

  • Corporate-startup collaboration hubs

  • Incubator and accelerator guidance frameworks

  • Mentor-matching platforms for youth innovators

These initiatives will ensure that mentorship becomes an integral part of the startup journey, not an optional advantage, but a mandatory support mechanism.

Government’s Vision for an Innovation-Driven India

Dr. Jitendra Singh reinforced the government’s vision of building an inclusive, innovation-driven economy where young minds can experiment, innovate, and grow without fear of failure. He noted that India is now the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, and with strong mentorship structures, it can soon become the most successful.

He stated that India’s “decade of innovation” will be powered not just by technology, but by relationships, mentor-mentee partnerships that transform ideas into impactful solutions across sectors.

Conclusion: Mentorship Is the Fuel for India’s Startup Revolution

The message from IISF is clear: mentorship is not optional; it is foundational. Dr. Jitendra Singh’s insights highlight a powerful truth: India’s startup revolution will be shaped not only by visionaries who create new ideas but also by mentors who refine, guide, and accelerate them.

As India moves toward becoming a global innovation powerhouse, strengthening mentorship networks will play a decisive role in ensuring that today’s entrepreneurs become tomorrow’s industry leaders.