PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
UPES Runway, the startup incubator at UPES, hosted the New Delhi leg of The Pitch 3.0, an initiative designed to identify and support AI-native and AI-driven startups across north, central and southern India. UPES sources said that the first leg, held in New Delhi, had brought seven shortlisted startups before investors, mentors and UPES leaders, following over 20 applications from founders working at the forefront of technology-led innovation.
The shortlisted ventures represented a wide range of sectors, including AI image recognition, fintech, edtech, disaster management, fleet technology, quantum computing and deep tech. The Delhi pitch day marked the first leg of the initiative, with the next round planned for September 2026 in Bengaluru, focusing on the south and west markets and offering an opportunity to entrepreneurs who couldn’t be part of the earlier round, sources further shared.
Under The Pitch 3.0, UPES Runway plans to support 10 innovators this year, with funding support of up to Rs 25 lakh per selected startup.
Speaking of the significance of the initiative, the CEO, Runway Incubator and dean, School of Business, UPES, Rahul Nainwal said that The Pitch 3.0 reflects UPES Runway’s commitment to backing founders who are building AI-led solutions with real market potential.
Launched in 2021, Runway has incubated over 50 startups in association with DST-TIBI, MeitY, Shell E4, MaXcel Accelerator, Pearl Academy and Global University Systems.
