In the vibrant Indian business education landscape, a quiet revolution appears to be under way at the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus. While many B-schools focus on grooming a new generation of corporate leaders – who earn multi-million packages – XLRI’s PGDM-IEV (Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Venture Development) is charting a different course. This programme is not just securing a high-paying job, but about fostering a mindset of innovation and empowering students to become the architects of their own enterprises.
“It’s a cliched statement, but we want them to ‘become job creators, not just job seekers’,” said Rachna Tiwari – an entrepreneurship development professional who is part of faculty at PGDM-IEV.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
She said that between 2022 and 2024, XLRI’s in-house incubator has been a powerful engine of growth, facilitating investments worth over Rs 2.5 crore.
What sets the PGDM-IEV programme apart is its unique ecosystem. “It’s built on a foundation of mentorship, resources, and a supportive community that encourages risk-taking and resilience,” Tiwari said. “Students are not just taught about entrepreneurship, but are immersed in it. They receive guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs, industry veterans, and venture capitalists who provide invaluable insights and connections. The curriculum is highly practical, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, including internships with start-ups and a final project that involves launching and scaling a new venture.”
There have been success stories
Tiwari said that some ventures have achieved national recognition, securing spots on the popular TV show Shark Tank India. “It’s a validation of the quality and potential of the businesses being developed at XLRI,” she said. “It also showcases that the ideas born within the PGDM-IEV classroom are innovative, as well as commercially viable and scalable.”
A former academic – who has taught at an IIM, and a top B-school in Delhi – told FE that entrepreneurship is now being seen as a key driver of progress, and XLRI Delhi-NCR’s PGDM-IEV appears to be a beacon of change. “If it’s able to empower one venture at a time, it will prove that the future of leadership isn’t inside the corner office, but on the field, possibly in dirt and grime, and helping empower the nation.”