High interest, low action: Most young Indians aspire to start up but don’t take the plunge

Kolkata: Despite strong entrepreneurial interest among young Indians, 84% of aspiring entrepreneurs have not taken concrete steps to build a startup, pointing to significant structural barriers within the ecosystem. VenturEdu, a cross-border residential venture-building programme, in its latest study, found that 58.5% report a high inclination toward entrepreneurship, but only 16% have actively built a startup during college. The data highlights a growing gap between ambition and action caused by lack of guidance, limited access to funding, and absence of structured support systems.

The study, conducted among 200 respondents across India, Singapore, and the UAE, reveals a broader shift in mindset aligned with India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape. However, this enthusiasm isn’t translating into action as quickly.

Despite high interest, most respondents remain in early or passive exploration stages. 40.5% have only discussed entrepreneurship informally, while 24.5% have only thought about it conceptually, highlighting the gap between aspiration and execution.


Confidence levels further emphasize this divide. While 38.5% of respondents reported moderate confidence in their ability to start a business, only 9% expressed very high confidence. Consequently, traditional career paths still dominate. 42% plan to pursue full-time employment, and 38.5% aim for higher education, with just 14.5% considering entrepreneurship immediately after graduation.

When asked why they aren’t starting ventures, respondents cited lack of guidance at 35.1% and job security concerns at 33.5% as the primary barriers. Additional barriers included access to funding at 29.5%, mentorship at 26%, and structured incubation at 23%, identified as the most critical missing support systems during or immediately after college.

Skill gaps are also significant. The survey identified fundraising and pitching at 35%, followed by validating product-market fit at 32%, and developing go-to-market strategies at 20.5%, as the main challenges preventing aspiring founders from launching ventures.

India’s startup ecosystem has experienced substantial growth over the past decade, driven by increased access to capital, rapid digital adoption, supportive government initiatives, and successful startup role models.

The expansion of venture capital networks, angel investors, and robust technology infrastructure has made entrepreneurship more accessible. However, this growth has exposed a critical gap: while awareness and aspiration have increased dramatically, structured mentorship and guided execution remain limited. As more first-time founders enter the ecosystem, the need for hands-on programs that combine learning, building, and access to capital becomes essential.

The study also indicates a clear opportunity. Nearly 42.5% of respondents said they would be more likely or very likely to pursue full-time entrepreneurship if a structured residential venture-building program were available, demonstrating strong latent demand.

Commenting on the findings, Kulmani Rana, Founder of VenturEdu, said, “India is witnessing a powerful shift in mindset. Young people are increasingly drawn to entrepreneurship, but the ecosystem has not fully evolved to support them at the earliest stages. What we are seeing is not a lack of ambition but a lack of structured pathways. Bridging this gap requires immersive, hands-on environments where founders can learn, build, and access capital simultaneously.”