Embedding Entrepreneurship in Curriculum Could Unlock 2,800 Student Startups and 2.8 Lakh Jobs, Finds Primus Partners

Bengaluru, 24 September 2025 Embedding entrepreneurship into school and college curriculum could generate 2,800 student-led startups and create 2.8 lakh new jobs across India, according to a new Primus Partners report, Powering the $5 Trillion Dream: The FINESSE Framework Could Generate 2.8 Lakh New Jobs, Driving Grassroots Entrepreneurship for an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.

Based on insights from over 1,500 stakeholders – including 900+ students, 239 teachers, 37 principals, and 348 micro-entrepreneurs – the report highlights a strong demand for structured entrepreneurial learning:

• 78% of students view entrepreneurship as a strong career path.
• 530+ students want it taught on par with maths and science.
• 555 students reported no formal exposure to entrepreneurship.
• Educators identified ages 14–16 as the most critical window to introduce it.

The FINESSE Framework  – Fostering Innovation, Nurturing Entrepreneurship, and Supporting Startup Ecosystems – provides a phased roadmap that takes students from curiosity to startup creation. It blends awareness-building, hands-on projects, mentorship, financial literacy, incubation access, and networks to ensure entrepreneurship education goes beyond theory. Successful pilots like Rajasthan’s iStart Business Innovation Programme (BIP) have already shown how classrooms can become incubators of innovation.

Charu Malhotra, Co-Founder & MD, Primus Partners, said:
“India’s demographic dividend will define our economic future – but only if we equip young people with the right skills and mindset. The FINESSE Framework places entrepreneurship at the heart of education, giving students the confidence to innovate, the skills to solve real-world problems, and the freedom of choice to be self-employed and shape their own paths. This is not just about creating startups – it is about preparing a generation to drive India’s $5 trillion journey.”

Amit Purohit, Vice President, Primus Partners, added: “Every year, nearly 12 million youth enter India’s workforce, but traditional employment cannot absorb them. The FINESSE Framework provides a scalable pathway to turn this challenge into opportunity – ensuring India’s demographic dividend becomes a source of innovation, resilience, and new jobs.”

The report stresses that entrepreneurship education must be treated as a core subject, not an extracurricular activity. It calls for policy alignment, educator training, and national rollout, with a special focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities where ecosystems are emerging fastest.