Startups and Side Hustles: Meet the Entrepreneurs Turning Parul Campus Into a Startup Hub

Where Ideas Take Flight

In an era where innovation drives progress, Parul University in Vadodara, Gujarat, has become a breeding ground for student-led startups and side hustles. At the heart of this movement is the university’s Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) and Parul Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Centre (PIERC)—a dynamic ecosystem that empowers students to turn breakthrough ideas into real businesses, often before they’ve even graduated.

This story shines a light on the young founders redefining campus life, supported by infrastructure, mentorship, and opportunities that are setting Parul apart as one of India’s most vibrant startup universities.

An Ecosystem Built for Entrepreneurs

Parul University’s startup culture is rooted in a solid foundation of structured innovation support:

• EDC, launched in 2013, fosters entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines.

• PIERC, established in 2015 as a Section 8 Company, offers full-stack startup support—from ideation and prototyping to scaling and commercialization.

Entrepreneurial training is integrated into academic programs across engineering, design, management, pharmacy, and more, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

 In recognition of its efforts, Parul University was named Gujarat’s Best Performing University for Entrepreneurship by the SSIP Committee—a testament to its consistent push toward startup excellence.

World-Class Resources Powering Real Results

Entrepreneurs at Parul gain access to:

• Startup Studios across Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surat—creating a statewide support network.

• A state-of-the-art Fab Lab equipped with CNC milling machines, laser engravers, 3D scanners, and vinyl cutters for rapid prototyping.

• Co-working spaces and incubation centres with meeting zones, demo areas, and mentorship lounges.

• Global partnerships with universities in Europe and Australia for exchange programs and international mentorship.

These tools ensure that entrepreneurship isn't just a class—it’s a lifestyle at Parul.

Signature Events That Shape Founders

Parul’s entrepreneurial calendar is buzzing with high-impact events designed to spark, shape, and scale student-led ventures:

• Vadodara Startup Festival – Showcases products, connects students with investors, and opens internship and mentorship avenues.

• Women Startup Meet – Spotlights women founders through pitch sessions, mentorships, and funding opportunities.

• Startup Incubation Program – A rigorous roadmap guiding early-stage ideas into viable businesses.

• Healthcare Innovation Festival, Toycathon, and Hackathons – Sector-specific challenges that align students with real-world problems.

• E-Talks and Webinars – Learnings from top entrepreneurs who’ve walked the path.

From legal aid and patent filing to financial modeling, every support pillar at PIERC is geared toward turning students into startup founders.

Entrepreneurship in the Curriculum

More than just an extracurricular focus, entrepreneurship is embedded in academics, too. Programs like the MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship train students in idea validation, pitching, market research, and fundraising.

 As of 2025, Parul University has incubated over 180 startups, helped secure ₹12+ crore in grants, and supported student ventures generating ₹25+ crore in revenue.

Campus Startups Making National & Global Headlines

Here are just a few success stories born from Parul's buzzing campus:

• HardClickk – One-Click E-commerce Revolution

Founded by Mayur Gaje, Abhishek Singh, and Uday Tople, this platform simplifies online shopping. A finalist in Shark Tank India Season 2, it secured ₹22.5 lakhs in funding—proof of Parul’s startup-readiness.

• Medref Healthbridge – Global Healthcare Innovation

Focused on maternal and child health, Medref is backed by UNEPI and Uganda’s Ministry of Health, with aspirations to work with GAVI. Supported by Parul’s PIERC, Medref is driving impact at an international level.

• Kavitul Technologies – Life-Saving Diagnostics

Founders Yogesh Patel and Ajinkya Puranik built Dr. Cardio, a compact ECG device generating real-time, 12-lead results. Over 350+ units have been sold globally—another example of health-tech born on campus.

• Dori Handcrafts – Artistry Meets Enterprise

A handcrafted macrame décor brand that’s scaled nationally with angel investment, Dori Handcrafts proves passion projects can become profitable startups with the right mentorship.

The Rise of Student Side Hustles

Not every student aims to build a unicorn—many begin with side hustles, learning and earning in parallel. Parul supports these too:

• Freelance Design & Content Creation – Students use tools like Adobe Suite and the Fab Lab to serve clients locally and globally.

• E-commerce Stores – From eco-products to fashion, students are learning branding, logistics, and digital marketing.

• Tech-Based Services – Engineering students offer software solutions, build apps, and launch SaaS products.

• Creative Services – Event photography, social media marketing, and cultural event planning often bloom into small businesses.

These ventures teach students real-world skills, build confidence, and often transition into full-fledged startups.

Women Founders Leading the Way

Parul University places strong emphasis on women-led innovation. At Women Startup Meet 4.0, over 80+ women-led ventures presented their businesses to investors and mentors.

Key speakers included:

• Dr. Anar Mehta, Founder, Shristi Bharat Foundation

• Taruna Suryavanshi, Director, Cinemarc Multiplexes

• Neha Dasadia, CEO, Etransit Security System

With 3,500+ women participants, the event underscored the university’s commitment to inclusivity in entrepreneurship.

YEEP: Global Collaboration in Action

Parul’s Young Entrepreneur Exchange Project (YEEP), in collaboration with Bern University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland), is a prime example of how global engagement is shaping founders.

Students attend a two-week international summer school involving:

• Market analysis

• Pitch development

• Branding workshops

• Cross-border team projects

This global exposure enriches students’ mindsets and widens the lens through which they solve problems.

From Campus to Market: The Pipeline to Impact

Entrepreneurship is not without its challenges—funding, time management, and team-building are just a few. But with the mentorship, infrastructure, and funding support from PIERC, Parul students are turning these challenges into springboards.

International dignitaries like Her Excellency Begoña Gómez have acknowledged the university’s role in driving social entrepreneurship, highlighting the global relevance of Parul's innovation efforts.

Looking Ahead

With plans to expand startup studios, deepen international alliances, and scale entrepreneurial programs across disciplines, Parul University is on a mission:
To see at least 5% of students become founders or co-founders, contributing directly to India’s innovation economy.

Conclusion: Innovation is the New Campus Culture

At Parul University, entrepreneurship is not an outcome—it’s a culture. Whether it’s a social-impact side hustle, a healthcare innovation, or a global e-commerce solution, the university has built a launchpad for ideas to have an impact.

As new cohorts enter and fresh ideas spark, one thing is certain:
The student entrepreneurs of Parul University are just getting started, and the startup world is taking note.