Youth encouraged towards self-employment through information on schemes and startup funding
Students participated with great enthusiasm in the event held at GLA, 8 startup ideas shortlisted out of 25
AI-based English learning platform 'LittleLingos' secured the first prize of Rs 25,000 with an outstanding performance
Mathura, September 2026 : To translate Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision of 'Atmanirbhar UP' into reality, the 'UP Rise 2026' programme was organised on a grand scale on Friday at GLA University located on the National Highway. More than 800 students participated in the large-scale event with great enthusiasm. The main objective of the programme was to bring about a change in the mindset of youth and encourage them not merely to become job seekers but to become 'job creators' who establish their own enterprises and provide employment to others.
The programme was inaugurated through the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Chancellor Narayan Das Agrawal, Vice Chancellor Prof. Anoop Kumar Gupta, Chief Finance Officer Dr. Vivek Agrawal, Registrar Ashok Kumar Singh, and chief guests CA Palak Rathi and Shantanu Gupta.
The state government is continuously undertaking grassroots efforts to strengthen innovation and the startup ecosystem in the state. During the programme, experts provided detailed information to the youth about ambitious initiatives such as the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana, UP Startup Fund, Chief Minister Abhyudaya Free Coaching Scheme and UP Skill Mission.
In addition, information was shared regarding financial assistance and subsidies available through the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, Free Tablet/Smartphone Scheme and Mahila Samarthya Yojana, enabling youth to overcome financial barriers and successfully implement their business models.
In line with the theme of UP Rise, a total of 25 startup ideas were presented during the event, out of which 8 outstanding ideas were shortlisted. These included 'Book My Sarathi' for logistics, campus-first marketplace 'Campora' for students, AI-based travel super-platform 'Namaste AI', and indigenous drone-avionics maker 'Quantaverse Technologies', all of which drew widespread applause. The indigenous 'RoboDog' developed by 'Daksh Dynamics' to save human lives in hazardous environments such as mines and tunnels also emerged as a major attraction and represents a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Each team was given seven minutes to present its idea in the competition. Through an impressive presentation before the jury, the AI-powered English learning platform for children, 'LittleLingos', secured first place and won the top prize of Rs 25,000. Meanwhile, the team 'Fitted', which developed an AI personal styling application, and the team 'Dhritam', which developed a smart undergarment (Kavach X) capable of measuring stress and heart rate, jointly emerged as runners-up. During the event, corporate experts Harshit Desai, Dr. Madhurita Gupta and Radhika Bajoria guided the students as mentors.
On this occasion, Chancellor of GLA University Narayan Das Agrawal said that the Uttar Pradesh government is providing numerous opportunities for youth in the fields of employment, self-employment, skill development and startups. Today's youth are not only job seekers but can also become entrepreneurs who generate employment through their ideas and talent. He urged students that if they have any new innovative idea, they should not limit it merely to thinking and discussion. They should gather information, seek guidance from experts and make efforts to give their ideas practical shape.
This 'UP Rise' programme, which introduces students to opportunities in self-employment and innovation, will be organised in 30 leading colleges across 25 cities of the state. Following the successful event at GLA University, the next stop of this campaign aimed at promoting startups and entrepreneurship will be Invertis University, Bareilly, on September 21, 2026.
