At DES Pune University, innovation is seamlessly integrated with academic learning to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking. Our incubation ecosystem provides mentorship, resources, and opportunities to transform ideas into impactful solutions. With a strong emphasis on practical implementation alongside theoretical education, we empower inspired students to become future-ready innovators. This initiative is primarily three-pronged, focusing on fostering innovation through structured support and collaboration.
DISA offers comprehensive support through mentoring, physical incubation office space, and virtual incubation. The dedicated DISA section on campus features a state-of-the-art rapid prototyping lab equipped with advanced tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters. It provides students with access to a dynamic community of innovators, fostering collaboration and creative growth.
The DISA Cell serves as the student-driven arm of innovation initiatives, facilitating workshops, hands-on projects, and early-stage product development. It offers students opportunities to explore practical applications of their ideas by encouraging the creation of working prototypes and guiding them through the patent application process. The Cell acts as a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing the essential support to turn ideas into reality.
Entrepreneurial motivation is at its peak during the student phase, fuelled by curiosity, energy, and an eagerness to challenge conventional thinking. However, without the right guidance, this enthusiasm can remain untapped. At DES Pune University, we recognize that structured nurturing during this formative period is key to shaping future innovators and industry leaders. Our approach ensures that students are not only inspired but also equipped with the right tools, mindset, and opportunities to transform their ideas into reality.
DISA Cell works in close collaboration with DES PU's own in-house Startup Incubation Center (DISA, a sec-8 company). At the heart of this initiative are highly motivated faculty members and industry mentors who actively engage students in hands-on learning experiences. Through constant interaction, real-world problem-solving, and exposure to entrepreneurial ecosystems, we create an environment where students can thrive. The guidance provided at this stage helps them develop the resilience, strategic thinking, and technical acumen necessary to navigate the startup landscape with confidence.
DISA Cell, the Entrepreneurship Development Cell of DES PU, is the ideal launching pad for students to embark on their startup journey. It offers a structured yet dynamic environment where students engage in real-world entrepreneurial activities, gaining crucial insights into the innovation and startup ecosystem.
This student-led initiative provides an immersive learning experience, covering multiple dimensions of entrepreneurship, including idea validation, business strategy, product development, and intellectual property. The key activities facilitated by the DISA Cell include:
As students progress in their startup journey, they receive additional support from DISA in critical areas such as Incubation, government funding opportunities, business mentorship, industrial collaborations, and investor connects. This seamless transition from ideation to incubation ensures that students move forward with a strong foundation and strategic direction for their ventures
At DES PU, we believe that fostering entrepreneurial spirit early in a student’s academic journey is the key to building a robust innovation ecosystem. Through DISA Cell, we are committed to empowering students to transform ideas into impactful startups while bridging the gap between academia and industry.
The IIC at DES PU is part of the Ministry of Education's initiative to nurture a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within academic institutions. We actively conduct various activities as per IIC guidelines, including innovation challenges, startup mentorship programs, and policy awareness initiatives. The council engages students and faculty to cultivate an innovation-driven mindset and foster impactful contributions to society.
Innovation is the driving force behind progress, and at DES Pune University, we believe in embedding this culture at the academic level. The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, aims to create a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship within educational institutions. Our IIC at DES PU is a dynamic platform that nurtures creative problem-solving, fosters entrepreneurial mindsets, and enables students to translate ideas into impactful.
With the active involvement of faculty, industry mentors, and startup leaders, IIC at DES PU provides structured guidance and real-world exposure. Through competitions, mentorship programs, research collaborations, and startup-focused activities, we ensure that students develop the critical skills and networks required to succeed in the innovation-driven economy.
Our Institution’s Innovation Council actively conducts various activities as per MoE guidelines, with a focus on:
By conducting these initiatives, IIC at DES PU serves as a launchpad for students to explore innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in a structured manner
IIC functions in close collaboration with DISA (DESPU Innovation and Startup Association), DES PU’s inhouse Startup Incubation Center, ensuring that innovative ideas get nurtured beyond ideation into full-fledged startups. Students and faculty with high-potential projects receive further incubation support, including funding opportunities, access to prototyping labs, industrial connects, and investor interactions.
At DES PU, we are committed to fostering an innovation-driven campus culture, where students don’t just learn about entrepreneurship but actively experience the process of innovation and startup creation.
Through IIC, we strive to cultivate future-ready problem solvers, visionary startup leaders, and innovative technologists who will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s innovation landscape, driving progress, and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat!
