ABOUT
RAHUL
Rahul Bhagchandani is a startup ecosystem enabler in India’s startup landscape,
having experienced a unique journey as a founder, incubator leader, and policymaker.
He serves as an advisor on innovation to Gujarat Technological University and is
advancing efforts at the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, where he has been a Rajeev
Circle Fellow since 2019.
In India, Rahul is credited with developing the Student Startup and Innovation Policy
(SSIP), a pioneering initiative that has impacted over 10 million students and fostered
university-driven startup ecosystems. He has also worked closely with UNICEF to drive
innovation and entrepreneurship programs for children and young women.
As one of India’s youngest CEOs in the public sector, Rahul co-founded the Gujarat
University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC), establishing a world-class
startup incubator. Under his leadership, GUSEC grew into a thriving community of
1,000 startups, creating over 10,000 jobs and delivering substantial economic
returns.
Rahul’s entrepreneurial journey began at 17 with Youth Connect, a pioneering youth
magazine.
Motwani Jadeja Foundation Rajeev Circle Fellow 2019 & Advisor |
Gujarat Technological University Innovation Advisor |
Alliance for Social Good and Economic Empowerment Co-Founder |
UNICEF India State Consultant on Innovation |
GUSEC Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer |
Youth Connect Foundation Co-Founder and Managing Trustee |
Youth Connect Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief |
Professional
Highlights
asgee
Master of Public Administration (M. P. A.) Indira Gandhi National Open University India |
Leadership in Public Policy University of Oxford UK |
Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology Gujarat Technological University India |
Education
Gujarat State Task Force on Industrial Policy Member Government of Gujarat |
Student Startup and Innovation Policy, State Founding Member Government of Gujarat |
Gujarat Chamber for Commerce and Industry Member, Education Committee Member, Startup Committee |
Public Work
Rahul Bhagchandani is an accomplished thought leader renowned
for his expertise in institution building, scaling up startups, and
strategic stakeholder engagement. Having traversed a dynamic
journey from a startup co-founder to incubator leader to a
policymaker, Rahul has significantly contributed to the growth of
the Gujarat startup ecosystem.
Presently dedicated to fostering a global network for startups,
impact investing and inclusive innovation through his non-profit,
the Alliance for Social Good and Economic Empowerment
(ASGEE), Rahul also serves as an Innovation Consultant at
Gujarat Technological University and an Advisor on Innovation to
the Kaushalya Skill University of the Government of Gujarat.
Additionally, he also recently served as a State Consultant on
Innovation with UNICEF, further amplifying his impact on
innovation and social good.
Building on his visionary leadership, Rahul played a pivotal role in
developing the groundbreaking Student Startup and Innovation
Policy (SSIP) for the Government of Gujarat in 2017, a pioneering
initiative that catalysed the growth of a student-centric startup
ecosystem. This policy helped Gujarat emerge as a best
performing state for startups in the national startup landscape,
securing recognition under the Government of India’s National
States Startup Ranking Framework.
Rahul's influence extends to his involvement in the State
Government Taskforce for Industrial Policy, where he championed
reforms crucial for nurturing startup innovation, increasing
financial incentives, and startup grants by 4x. A prominent voice
for startup founders, Rahul has represented the interests of the
ecosystem across diverse public, private, and multilateral
platforms.
Detailed Bio
Notably, Rahul co-founded the Gujarat University Startup and
Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC), transforming it into a premier
startup incubation hub. His tenure as CEO saw GUSEC evolve into
a thriving community of over 1,000 startups, marked by strategic
alliances and substantial grant acquisitions exceeding US$5
million. Rahul's leadership facilitated the creation of over 10,000
jobs and a remarkable 29x return on public investment.
Rahul's journey traces back to his entrepreneurial spirit as a 17-
year-old student, co-founding Youth Connect, a pioneering youth
magazine, in 2010. Under his leadership, the publication
flourished, first as a print monthly and then as a digital platform,
reaching an audience of over 3 million monthly readers.
Complementing his entrepreneurial endeavours, Rahul
established the Youth Connect Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated
to empowering youth.
A seasoned advisor and mentor, Rahul's impact transcends
startups. He has lent his expertise to numerous government
authorities and represented India at esteemed global platforms
such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the
G20’s Startup20 Engagement Group. Rahul's mentorship has
nurtured over 200 startups, while his advisory roles have enriched
incubators, accelerators, and organisations worldwide in fostering
innovation-driven ecosystems.
Rahul earned his Bachelor's degree in Information Technology
from Gujarat Technological University in 2015. In 2018, he was
selected by the University of Oxford for a prestigious cohort in the
Leadership in Public Policy program, conducted in collaboration
with the British High Commission in New Delhi. Most recently, in
July 2024, he successfully completed his Master’s degree in
Public Administration from Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Beyond his engineering background, Rahul is a technology
generalist, deeply intrigued by futuristic innovations. Outside of
his professional pursuits, he finds joy in exploring the world
through travel, capturing moments through photography, and
watching cricket.
Recognition
RAJEEV CIRCLE FELLOW
Motwani Jadeja Foundation
INNOVATIVE
STUDENT FOR LEADERSHIP AND
CO-CREATION
Gujarat Technological University
DELEGATE -
DISCOVER ISRAEL
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
VICE
CHANCELLOR’s AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
Gujarat University
GUSEC aims to rectify the imbalance and has
launched the herSTART program to create
more women entrepreneurs.
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Rahul’s work in Media
An idea can be worth billions as unicorns, and
who better to come up with new ideas than
school children?
COVID era has created a push for investors to
closely look at sectors beyond IT as startups
continue to solve pressing challenges.
Youth Connect Plus Network, a new initiative
by Youth Connect, is envisioned to bring
colleges under one roof.
VSCIC, NCIC Nurturing Next-Generation of
Student Innovators, Entrepreneurs
Healthcare, biotech hot favourites with
investors
Youth Connect: Building platforms for youngsters and educational institutes
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THE TIMES OF INDIA
YOURSTORY