Other links:
Other links:
Learn, Connect, and Lead with Purpose
YSP EBL Advanced (YSP Foundation Programme + YSP Entrepreneurship, Business and Leadership) is an immersive, certified two-week residential programme designed for ambitious high school students entering grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, seeking a strong foundation in interdisciplinary thinking and 21st century skills alongside immersive exposure to core domains in the field of business and leadership.
This 2-week programme is designed to help high schoolers become well rounded business professionals. Our scholars build a wider approach and a comprehensive understanding of the world we inhabit, trends in development, human behaviour, historical processes that shape our identity and so on. Students also build a strong foundation on diverse thinking styles such as computational reasoning, design thinking, critical thinking, and 21st century skills such as ethical use of AI, collaboration, leadership, persuasive communication and creativity– all skills essential for entrepreneurial success. Students dive deep into various aspects of building strong, sustainable and ethical enterprises. Sessions on fundamentals of business planning, financial management, market development, venture development, and strategic thinking, digital marketing, and brand identity helps students develop a stronghold of the business development process. Students also explore concepts like data-driven decision making, financial modeling, team dynamics, and sustainable business models in the programme.
Students will engage with industry practitioners such as Kartik Desai (CEO & Impact Investment Leader), Vani Dandia (Founder, CherryPeachPlum Growth Partners), Jaspreet Bindra (Founder, Tech Whisperer & Digital Transformation Expert) and Deepali Singh (Founder and CEO, The WallstreetWiz); seasoned entrepreneurs such as Deep Kalra (Founder & Chairman, MakeMyTrip), Aditya Ghosh (Co-founder, Akasa Air), and Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Founder, Info Edge); and distinguished academicians such as Prof. Priyank Narayan, Prof. Advaita Rajendran, and Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha.
A ‘Foundation’ for Success
The YSP EBL Advanced serves as the ideal launchpad for all aspiring entrepreneurs, offering perspectives on the start-up ecosystem in India & globally and helping students find their own place in it. At the end of the 2-weeks, students are able to see the ways in which business leaders and entrepreneurs interact with the world around and shape them.
Our young scholars learn the foundations of first principles thinking and more including:
Entrepreneurial Mindset
YSP EBL Advanced encourages students to cultivate a proactive and resilient entrepreneurial mindset. They learn to identify opportunities, embrace curiosity, and approach challenges as stepping stones for growth. With a focus on ethics and integrity, the programme instills the values of fair and responsible leadership, inspiring students to apply these principles in both academic and business settings. Through diverse group interactions and ethical discussions, students gain respect for different perspectives, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to future ventures. Workshops on critical thinking, ethics, and leadership lay the groundwork for addressing complex challenges. Practitioner-led sessions on digital marketing, venture development, and strategic branding allow students to refine their skills and connect them to practical applications. Students learn about self care, personal branding and personal finance and become much better equipped to handle their difficult emotions, public identity and finances.
Students are encouraged to engage deeply with core entrepreneurial questions such as– How does an entrepreneur minimize risks in new ventures? Are businesses always profit-minded? What are the ways for social entrepreneurs to balance profitability with impact? How can data be used to guide intelligent business decisions? Why is empathy a necessary attribute for a leader? The skills honed through sessions on history, ethics, psychology and 21st century skills empower students to tackle these questions with confidence and critical insight, inspiring them to challenge norms.
Hands-on projects at YSP EBL Advanced (YSP Foundation Programme + YSP Entrepreneurship, Business and Leadership)
YSP EBL Advanced offers more than just academic exploration. It emphasizes hands-on experiential learning, complemented by specialized workshops focusing on essential 21st-century and critical thinking skills.
From personal development in workshops such as the art of the college essay, building resilience to developing your unique learning style, to developing 21st century skills like design thinking and creativity, to developing a problem solving and entrepreneurial spirit with real-time case studies, market trend analysis, sustainable business brainstorming, and strategies for fundraising, our workshops are designed for you to be the best version of your and your entrepreneurial self.
📢Applications for YSP 2025 are now open with a deadline of April 20th, 2025.
With limited seats and rolling admissions, apply early to secure your spot.
Knowledge:
-Students will gain a thorough understanding of liberal arts disciplines and learn how these areas interconnect with the world of business and leadership. This interdisciplinary approach will allow them to see how various fields shape modern business practices and decision-making processes.
-They will explore fundamental entrepreneurial concepts, including business models, financial management principles, strategic communication, and effective leadership. These core topics provide students with the skills and insights necessary for building and managing ventures successfully.
-Students will explore the foundations of critical inquiry, learning to ask meaningful and probing questions that drive both academic growth and entrepreneurial decision-making.
-Students will develop an understanding of ethical considerations in business contexts, recognising their responsibility when developing ideas and leading business ventures.
Skills:
-Students will enhance their ability to critically analyze texts, ideas, and arguments from multiple perspectives, developing key skills for academic inquiry, business analysis, and thoughtful decision-making.
-Through hands-on projects and activities, students will improve their ability to create and present comprehensive business plans, integrating financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational goals for a solid foundation in business planning.
-By engaging in interdisciplinary problem-solving, students will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, using creativity and critical thinking to address challenges with innovative and effective solutions.
-Group projects will strengthen students’ leadership and collaboration skills, as they learn to motivate teams, delegate responsibilities, and drive collective success in dynamic environments.
-Pitching and presentation skills will be honed through opportunities to express complex ideas clearly and persuasively, equipping students to effectively communicate business ideas to potential investors, partners, and stakeholders.
Attitude:
-Students will cultivate a proactive and solution-oriented entrepreneurial mindset, recognizing opportunities where others see challenges, while embracing intellectual curiosity and openness to new ideas across disciplines.
-They will develop resilience, learning to view failure as a stepping stone to success, and adapting to both academic and entrepreneurial challenges, igniting the flexibility needed for personal and professional growth.
-An ethical approach to both business and learning will be emphasized, as students understand the importance of integrity, fairness, and responsibility in leadership, decision-making, and their roles within their communities.
-Through collaboration in group projects and discussions, students will appreciate diverse perspectives, learning how to work effectively in teams and apply ethical practices in both academic and business environments.
Applications:
-By engaging in hands-on projects and entrepreneurial ventures, students will develop and execute business plans, from concept development to market research and implementation, reflecting the liberal arts approach to problem-solving.
-Students will apply communication and presentation skills by delivering business pitches, effectively conveying their ideas to academic audiences, investors, or stakeholders.
-Through business simulations, case studies, and project-based learning, students will learn to apply innovative thinking and business strategies, while gaining a better understanding of their academic interests, potential career paths, and future goals.
Faculty sessions delve into subjects such as ethical entrepreneurship, venture development, associated risks, consumer and market research and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in the post-Covid era. Students will not only engage with case studies, historical contexts, and real-world challenges filled with ethical dilemmas but also participate in daily workshops. These workshops offer hands-on experience with live projects, ranging from analyzing current market trends, crafting sustainable business models, to developing strategies for successful ventures. Such immersive experiences, combined with foundational theories of entrepreneurship, aim to nurture their critical thinking, design thinking, and leadership skills.
Students are equipped with the knowledge and practical tools to drive meaningful change in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and leadership. The aim is to equip students with the knowledge and tools to take their idea and make it a real entity.
The two-week residential programme entails interdisciplinary faculty sessions that discuss the state of entrepreneurship, leadership, impact, their interconnectedness with each other, and other diverse fields. A typical day starts off with faculty-led sessions after which students then find themselves in our workshops which are designed to function as an exciting and interactive space for students to become products of their learnings. This experience is enhanced with our guest speakers who share insights from industry practice, equipping students with real-world as well as academic knowledge.
The day winds down with fun & recreational activities including sports and the performing arts.
A schedule for YSP EBL Advanced is given below*
YSP EBL Advanced1) What is Young Scholars Programme: EBL Advanced (YSP Foundation Programme + YSP Entrepreneurship, Business and Leadership)?
YSP EBL Advanced (YSP Foundation Programme + YSP Entrepreneurship, Business and Leadership) is an immersive, certified two-week residential programme designed for ambitious high school students entering grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, seeking a strong foundation in Liberal Arts & Sciences alongside immersive exposure to core domains in the field of business and leadership. This programme combines practical knowledge in entrepreneurship with skills essential for the modern economy, emphasizing experiential learning and 21st-century skills.
2) Is YSP EBL Advanced, an online or offline event?
YSP EBL Advanced is a two-week programme to be held in person at Ashoka Campus.
3) What is liberal arts and sciences education?
Liberal Arts & Sciences education celebrates discussion and debate in the classroom. A Liberal Arts & Science education focuses on providing critical thinking skills and multiple perspectives to students, which is considered an essential part of leading an ethical and purposeful life. Essentially, it incorporates breadth and depth across multiple disciplines.
4) Do we get a certificate for attending The Young Scholars Programme?
Yes, students will be given a certificate on successful completion of the programme, provided all sessions are attended and there has been desirable participation by the student. Upon receipt of your certificate, please save it securely for your use later on. However, if you happen to lose it, a second copy of the certificate will be provided which will be chargeable for a sum of Rs. 500/-
5) Will attending the programme increase my chances of getting admission to the undergraduate programme at Ashoka University?
Attending the programme will give you an insight on liberal arts & sciences education and the Ashoka pedagogy. This will surely help you with your undergraduate application form at Ashoka University. However, this does not guarantee admission to the Ashoka UG programme.
Learning about investing and identifying sound businesses was incredible. The opportunity to chat with the professor afterward was just as rewarding—he was incredibly friendly and approachable!
This session was highly innovative and engaging, captivating the audience with fresh insights and valuable learning experiences.
