Mumbai University: The University of Mumbai has launched three innovative masterclass programmes—SHABARI 1.0, VASUNDHARA 1.0, and SPARK 1.0—that will support the start-up aspirations of students with practical training, mentorship from industry experts, and cohort support.
These programmes are part of the MU IDEAS Foundation Incubation Centre's mission to institutionalize innovation and organize entrepreneurial learning at the university, from June to September 2025.
SHABARI 1.0 — an abbreviation for Structured Handholding & Acceleration Bootcamp for Atmanirbhar & Resilient Innovators — is a 12-week course dedicated to transforming raw ideas into sustainable start-ups. It provides masterclasses, founder toolkits, and one-on-one mentorship and addresses key areas such as startup design, business planning, regulatory frameworks, and readiness in pitching.
VASUNDHARA 1.0 seeks to foster socially inclusive enterprises through the support of students from various backgrounds from urban, rural, tribal, and coastal areas.
SPARK 1.0, or Startup Preparation, Acceleration, Readiness & Knowledge, is a capacity-building series available to all university students and addressing legal literacy, financial planning, ethics, business model, and startup readiness through hybrid sessions conducted by experts.
Read the official notices here
Former director of Innovation Sachin Laddha stressed that upon extensive interactions with students, Mumbai University realized the requirement for structured support in developing entrepreneurship. "We saw that although the interest in entrepreneurship was picking up, there was a pressing need for structured handholding, inclusive outreach, and foundational capacity-building," he described, as reported by Indian Express.
These initiatives concentrate on democratizing innovation by making students theoretical as well as practical learners: receiving expert guidance, founder toolkits, legal and regulatory counsel, and opportunities for prolonged incubation via MU IDEAS. Students who want to apply can apply via the university's portal MU IDEAS or contact their college's innovation cell for further details.
