GNU NextGen Summit 2026 Fostering Entrepreneurship Among Students

10th January, 2026, Hyderabad: The GNU NextGen Summit 2026, hosted by Guru Nanak University, concluded on a high note on January 10 at Vivanta, Begumpet.

The summit brought together education leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and changemakers for a day of meaningful dialogue on fostering entrepreneurship among students.

The event was attended by Sardar Gagandeep Singh Kohli, Chancellor, Guru Nanak University and Vice Chairman, Guru Nanak Institutions, who reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and industry engagement. “Summits like GNU NextGen are not just conversations, but commitments towards shaping institutions that are progressive, relevant, and deeply connected to the needs of learners and educators today,” he said. Dr. H. S. Saini, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak University, delivered the inaugural keynote address, outlining the university’s vision for progressive education and student-centric development.

Fostering the Next Generation of Founders

A major highlight of the summit was the showcase of student innovation through the Stockathon and Mini Shark Tank competitions. These platforms allowed young participants to demonstrate financial literacy and real-world business acumen.

The Mini Shark Tank saw fierce competition, with judges including Kanika Agarwal, Manish Verma, Varshnaya Dutt, Suresh Vedula, Anshul Ruhil & Charan Lakkaraju praising the high calibre of the young minds.

First Place: Secured by Team Park E, whose innovative parking management application impressed the judges.

Second Place: Awarded to Team Nomad, who impressed judges with their wearable smart ID card featuring integrated GPS and SOS functionality designed to enhance student safety.

The event was also attended by education leaders like Anubhavv Arora, Executive Chairman, Confederation for Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education; Dr. Jagjit Singh Dhuri, President of the Federation of Private Schools & Associations of Punjab; 

Kulbhushan Sharma, President of the National Independent Schools Alliance; and K. Tulasi Vishnu Prasad, President, APPUSMA, and Vice President, NISA. 

Among the key speakers was Ganesan Ramachandran, Ex-Global Head for HR and Lead – Industry Groups, Accenture, who spoke on workforce readiness, leadership skills, and the changing expectations of employers from higher education institutions. 

The Summit also featured a fireside chat between author Ketan Bhagat and Shreya Rao, author and Femina Miss India Runner Up 2018, focusing on life skills, personal growth, and their relevance in education. Both authors also engaged in book signings, which saw enthusiastic participation from school leaders and educators.

The summit also featured insights from Kanika Agarwal, Shark Tank India Winner and Founder & CEO of MindPeers, who discussed the growing relevance of mental health awareness and emotional well-being within institutions. As an entrepreneur who secured the rare ‘Four Sharks Deal’ with double investment on Shark Tank India, she was also among the judges of the Grand Finale of the Mini Shark Tank competition. 

The event saw more than 500 Teams participation with 18 Teams selected to attend the Mini Shark Tank Event, the participations included from leaders & educators from across the country, with educators representing institutions across Noida, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Gurugram, and other key education hubs, underscoring the Summit’s growing national footprint and relevance. marking an important step in establishing meaningful partnerships between universities, and industry and positioning the GNU NextGen Summit as a key forum for conversations on the future of education.