About Us
India’s Youth-Driven Growth & Gujarat’s Startup Leadership
India is a rapidly growing developing economy, and one of the potential superpowers of the world. Industrialisation over the past few decades has rapidly contributed to the growth of the nation’s economy. Today, India is home to one of the largest populations of young people in the world, with 65% of its population less than the age of 35. To further accelerate the country’s growth, supporting the development and creation of economic drivers and opportunities is essential. India has already displayed a prominent show of entrepreneurship through innovation, and the country is already home to one of the largest and fastest growing startup ecosystems in the world.
Gujarat is renowned for its spirit of entrepreneurship and business. In the inaugural and succeeding States Startup Rankings issued by the Government of India, Gujarat emerged as the #1 state for startups in the country due to a robust policy infrastructure supporting startups from all sectors, at all stages and undertaking numerous ecosystem pipeline-oriented initiatives to build and strengthen the ecosystem of the state.
- Gujarat University’s Leadership in Startups
- Establishment of a Premier Institute
- Inclusive and Practical Learning
Our Story
A Legacy of Excellence
Founded in 1949 under the Gujarat University Act, Gujarat University is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in the state. Its establishment was envisioned in the 1940s, with the foundation laid by Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, under the leadership of Mr. G. B. Mavlankar, alongside visionaries like Mr. Kasturbhai Lalbhai and Acharya Anand Shankar Dhruv.
A Thriving Academic Network
An Expansive Network
As an affiliating university, Gujarat University connects over 350 affiliated colleges, 35 postgraduate departments, and more than 50 affiliated postgraduate centers. It offers a wide array of programs across diverse faculties, including Arts, Commerce, Science, Education, Law, Medical, and Dental.
Shaping Gujarat’s Educational Legacy
Catalyst for Growth
Starting as the sole university in the region during the Bombay Province era, Gujarat University has been the foundation for the evolution of over a dozen universities in the state, shaping the academic landscape of Gujarat.
Legacy of Excellence
The illustrious history of Gujarat University shines brightly through its remarkable alumni. Visionaries like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (Father of India’s Space Program), Shri Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India), Dr. K. Kasturirangan (Former Chairman, ISRO), Dr. Ila Bhatt (Founder, SEWA), Justice Ahmedi (Former Chief Justice of India), Mr. Pankaj Patel (CEO, Zydus Cadila), Mr. Kharekwala (Wockhardt), and Dr. Ravindra Dave (Former Chairman, UNESCO) stand as a testament to the university’s enduring impact.
Innovating for the Future
As societal, political, and economic landscapes transformed in the early 1990s, Gujarat University adapted seamlessly. It introduced forward-thinking programs in emerging inter-disciplinary fields, aligning with evolving societal needs and fostering promising employment opportunities. This commitment to progress ensures the university remains a beacon of innovation and relevance.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs
GUSEC is a zero-day, zero-cost startup support system aimed at transforming 1% of Gujarat’s 1.5 million students into entrepreneurs, offering resources, mentorship, and an accelerated platform to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
GUSEC
Nurturing the Future of Innovation
At the heart of Gujarat’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) stands as a zero-cost, early-stage startup support system. With an ambitious mission to transform 1% of the region’s 1.5 million higher education students into entrepreneurs, GUSEC drives economic growth and innovation from within the university ecosystem.
Empowering Ideas
Accelerating Growth
GUSEC is dedicated to empowering idea-stage entrepreneurs by providing the resources, mentorship, and infrastructure necessary to turn ideas into impactful ventures. Its “build fast, break fast” approach ensures startups can rapidly experiment, pivot, and scale with confidence.
Zero Cost
Driving Innovation at Zero Cost
GUSEC’s zero-day, zero-cost model eliminates barriers for early-stage startups, fostering experimentation and growth during pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration phases. This unique approach has made GUSEC a hub for some of the largest numbers of product startups in the current ecosystem, offering a launchpad for innovative ideas to flourish.
A Visionary
Ecosystem
Incorporated as a Section 8(a) not-for-profit organisation, GUSEC operates under the leadership of an independent Board of Directors, chaired by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, and managed by a dynamic CEO-led team. Supported initially by Gujarat University, it is further strengthened by a NIDHI-TBI grant and other state and non-government funding, ensuring robust resources for startups.