About the Lab
IILM Innovation Lab is IILM University's incubation centre — a state-of-the-art hub where students, faculty, and aspiring entrepreneurs from the wider community turn early ideas into scalable, real-world businesses.
Introduction & Overview
The IILM Innovation Lab, operating as the IILM Entrepreneurship Foundation, is a Section 8 not-for-profit incubation centre established under the School of Management at IILM University, Gurugram. It exists to catalyse innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, giving students, faculty, and community innovators a structured environment to ideate, build, and validate ventures that solve real problems.
The Lab brings together modern infrastructure - including dedicated Mac and Dell labs, a media lab, and prototyping space - with mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and domain experts, hands-on support for business model validation and market entry, and a growing partner network spanning FITT - IIT Delhi, IVY League Ventures, DBS Bank, AIC-Sonipat, Sanchi Connect, and others. Founders also get access to government-recognised startup benefits through DPIIT and Startup India, positioning the Lab as a serious entrepreneurial hub in the region.
Vision
To establish a robust innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at IILM University, Gurugram, that promotes grassroots innovation, fosters sustainable enterprise, and creates measurable societal impact through student, faculty, and community-driven ventures.
Mission
Facilitate an environment where students, faculty, and innovators can explore, prototype, and validate their entrepreneurial ideas with structured support.
Offer access to infrastructure, mentoring, lab facilities, and strategic guidance to enable innovation-led development.
Act as a bridge to capital, both governmental and private, while nurturing ventures through each stage of growth and commercial readiness.
Leadership
A distinguished leader with decades of experience in corporate leadership, human capital development, and higher education governance, formerly Director – Group Human Capital at Max India Ltd. At IILM, he champions the university's mission of liberal education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Group Head – HR at InterGlobe Enterprises (IndiGo) and a member of its Executive Committee, with over three decades of leadership experience across aviation, hospitality, telecommunications, and manufacturing, and a Master's in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from XLRI Jamshedpur.
A seasoned academic and institution-builder with 25+ years in family business management, teaching, research, and academic leadership. Author of 40+ books and 150+ research papers; formerly Founding Director of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (Hyderabad) and Symbiosis Institute of Research & Innovation.
A nationally recognised expert in innovation, startups, and policy, leading India's technology transfer arm at IIT Delhi after overseeing 300+ startups at IIT Kanpur's incubator. Founder of Entrepreneur Cafe, spanning 110 cities and 45,000 entrepreneurs.
Over three decades in IT, startups, and entrepreneurship. Best known as Ex-CEO of T-Hub, India's largest innovation hub, and co-founder of ventures including Network Solutions (acquired by IBM) and Aujas Networks (acquired by NSE).
From the Lab
Every venture that comes through IILM Innovation Lab - from first prototype to funded company - is logged in our student startup registry, searchable by campus, programme, sector, and stage.
Explore Student StartupsThe Entrepreneur's Digest
IILM Innovation Lab Newsletter
I am grateful to IILM Gurugram for the wonderful experience & exposure I got while I was doing my PGDM here. Not only the subject expertise I’ve got, but an overall well-structured education where I received life changing lessons as well as guidance from all the faculty members, one of them is to change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and move out from unacceptable.
A Special thanks to Sujata Shahi ma’am for her mentorship which made my journey a special one in IILM Gurugram.”
– Senior Manager Supply Chain (Global Omni channel Logistics) at Amway India
BBA classes in the day and theatre classes in the evening, my journey at IILM gave me the freedom to pursue my passion and effectively strike a balance between the two important aspects of my life with ease.
Theater has always been an integral part of my life. Having been associated with Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts (SRCPA) since the last five years, I continued my passion for acting even after enrolling for my BBA program at IILM University.
During this duration of study, I not only learned from academicians and industry professionals at IILM University, but was also able to perform over 10+ professional theatre shows in Delhi and got associated with renowned leaders like Shah Rukh Khan, Imtiaz Ali and Alia Bhatt from the industry. Recently, I also completed my internship in the film “Night Before that Day” with acclaimed director Mr. Rajesh Chopra.
Today I have accomplished both academically and professionally because of the encouragement and support received from my teachers at IILM University. This not only gave me the confidence to continue my ambitions for theatre but also helped me succeed in both spheres. Truly grateful to be a part of IILM University!
I’ve always been a worrier, anything that I was supposed to do, would stress me so much, even once it was done I would run the thing over in my head. Keep on wondering, if I could have done anything differently or better.
When I started my journey at IILM, I remember doing exactly the same. submissions/tests or organizing events, would get me worked up & so was never able to enjoy the process in its glory .This could definitely have impacted what should be the most memorable 3 years of my life. During my first year, I was given so many opportunities at IILM, becoming a #Student #Ambassador for the college, going for a #summer #school program to the prestigious #London School of #Economics, being part of events I will forever remember and also getting the chance to learn from such valued faculty members. I didn’t want these times to get blown away because of me worrying. My credit goes to the IILM family who taught me that it isn’t ever about the outcome but the journey towards achieving it.
Even during these testing times, online teaching and learning was so structured and organized thanks to the IILM faculty. I again have IILM to thank for the numerous #internship opportunities given even during these trying times. My two months internship from home trained and taught me well. Ironically, being so close in proximity to IILM, in all probability will have to bid my farewell to it virtually which will be my only bone of contention thus far!
IILM has helped me tremendously in developing these critical skills by pushing me into real-time challenging tasks & leadership roles & in addition provided me the right spotlight and platform to shine & showcase my leadership & communication skills. I was also offered ample opportunities to test out my skills from first year itself, one of them in particular was being selected as “Student ambassador”, which was by far the most important & responsible leadership role I got to experience, helped me to hone my skills a lot & assisted me in driving my passion during my 2 month internship with KPMG India. Even during these arduous times, the faculty ensured to provide consistent personal attention to my visions & goals.
From participating in numerous fests to submitting assignments & meeting friends that I’ll be cherishing for life, this journey has been no less than a roller coaster. I thank IILM for providing me with countless opportunities & for these precious memories that I got experience in these past three years.
My time at IILM has been nothing short of life-changing. When I first walked in, I didn’t know just how much I would learn about myself along with psychology. From engaging in research, internships, and unexpected opportunities, every step has shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What makes IILM special for me is not just the academic growth but the constant encouragement from faculty and the friendships that turned into family. It’s been a journey of discovering my strengths, building confidence, and creating memories that will stay with me forever.
The skills and knowledge I gained at IILM have been instrumental in shaping my career. The faculty don’t just teach – they mentor, push you to think critically, and stand by you long after you’ve left campus. The peer community here is equally remarkable. It’s the kind of environment that doesn’t just prepare you for a job, it prepares you for a career.
