Young Scholars Programme: Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership ADVANCED

Young Scholars Programme: Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership Advanced

Build, Scale, and Lead with Purpose

YSP Entrepreneurship, Business, and Leadership Advanced (EBL Advanced) is a certified 10-day residential programme that builds on YSP EBL Essentials (Week 1) with an additional week of advanced learning about the capability to manage growth and sustainability across startups, family enterprises, and corporate contexts. 

Students explore core business thinking in domains like marketing and consumer behaviour, business model canvas, narrative building, and finally pitch presentations, along with critical skills of design thinking, storytelling, and business negotiation. Through intensive workshops and simulations, participants move from theory to practice—designing go-to-market strategies, evaluating real business cases, and strengthening business communication.

At the core of the programme is a distinguished faculty cohort including Prof. Mukesh Sud (Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University) and Sridhar Sethuram (Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University). Their sessions are complemented by insights from Prakash Dharmarajan (Visiting Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University) and Ankur Sardana (Head of Design & Research, Tata Neu), bringing together academic rigour and applied learning. Together, they provide a strong analytical foundation in business strategy, entrepreneurial thinking, design, and real-world decision-making. Over these ten days, students progress from understanding core concepts to actively applying them, building the confidence and clarity needed to navigate and lead in an increasingly dynamic global economy.

The programme is further enriched by leading practitioners such as Neetu Sehgal Mahajan (Consultant, Ipsos India), Chinmaya Saxena (Partner, Community Strategy and Partnerships, BEENEXT), and Dr. Om Manchand (Founder and Managing Partner, CENTROID Partners, Ex-Managing Director, Dr Lal Path Labs), who bring grounded perspectives on branding, venture building, and industry strategy.

Business visionaries such as Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Founder and Vice-Chairman, Info Edge), Sanjay Kukreja (Partner and CIO, ChrysCapital), Deep Kalra (Founder, MakeMyTrip), Aditya Ghosh (Co-Founder, Akasa Air), Hitesh Oberoi (Managing Director and CEO, Info Edge), Jaspreet Bindra (Co-Founder and CEO, AI & Beyond; Founder, The Tech Whisperer Ltd.), and Deepali Singh (Founder and CEO, The WallstreetWiz) share transformative insights into building, scaling, and sustaining impactful ventures. Their diverse journeys give students unique perspectives on leadership, digital transformation, impact-driven entrepreneurship, and the future of work.

What You Will Explore

Details of Week 1, which builds the foundation for this programme, are available on the YSP EBL Essentials Programme page.

Advanced applications and questions you may explore in Week 2 include:

• Applying problem-discovery methods using behavioral insights and cross-industry comparisons to uncover hidden customer needs.
• Stress-testing Lean Canvas and branding strategies against real market conditions, while examining how storytelling shapes perceptions across diverse markets.
• Evaluating unit economics, margins, and scalability to understand growth potential, and exploring financing, risk, and sustainability choices across startups, family enterprises, and corporates.
• Developing tailored pitch narratives for different stakeholders and reflecting on authenticity, vulnerability, and cultural context in business storytelling.
• Exploring advanced storytelling and collaboration techniques, including data-driven narratives, intercultural communication, and the dynamics of sharing ownership vs. preserving creative control.
• Practicing complex negotiation scenarios involving multi-party dynamics, power imbalances, and behavioral economics principles, while reflecting on ethics and the long-term consequences of “winning.”
• Delivering and refining pitch presentations under simulated real-world conditions with diverse stakeholders, and deciding when to defend an idea versus pivoting after critical feedback.

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. YSP EBL Advanced serves as the ideal launchpad for all aspiring business leaders, offering perspectives on the start-up ecosystem in India and globally, and helping students find their place in it. At the end of the programme, students are able to see the ways in which business leaders and entrepreneurs interact with and shape the world around them.

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 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. 

Career Pathways

A rigorous foundation in entrepreneurship, business, and leadership gives students a competitive edge in some of the most dynamic and demanding fields of the future. YSP EBL Advanced prepares them with the intensity, applied experience, and strategic mindset needed to excel.

• Business Strategy & Consulting: Excel in roles as a management consultant, corporate strategist, venture capitalist, or innovation leader driving entrepreneurial growth.
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation: Master the skills needed to launch and scale startups, lead family enterprises, or build social ventures — applying innovation, design thinking, and financial planning to real-world challenges.
• Leadership in Organizations: Prepare for high-impact roles as future executives, project leaders, or change-management specialists, capable of guiding teams through growth, innovation, and global competition.
• Marketing, Branding & Growth Strategy: Lead as a marketing strategist, brand manager, digital marketing lead, or business development manager — roles that shape reputation, customer engagement, and market expansion.
• Global Business, Policy & Sustainability: Pursue future roles where business intersects with policy, technology, and sustainability — such as CSR strategist, sustainability consultant, impact investor, development project manager, or international business advisor, shaping responsible and inclusive growth worldwide.

By completing YSP EBL Advanced, students gain a distinct advantage: the ability to lead, innovate, and compete in the entrepreneurial and business landscape of tomorrow.

Applications for YSP 2026 are now closed.

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Learning Outcomes

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.

Sample Schedule

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 sample schedule for YSP EBL Advanced is given below. (tentative schedule, subject to change)

YSP EBL Advanced Programme Schedule

Sample Faculty

Kartik Desai

Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University

Priyank Narayan

Associate Professor of Practice, Entrepreneurship and Management, Ashoka University
Founding Director, InfoEdge Centre for Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University

Ph.D. IIT Delhi

Vani Gupta Dandia

Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University

Independent Business Consultant, CherryPeachPlum Growth Partners

Deepali Singh

Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University

Founder and CEO, The WallstreetWiz

Advaita Rajendra

Visiting Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University

Ph.D. IIM Ahmedabad

Sample Inspiring Speakers

Jack Szostak

Nobel Laureate

Pramath Raj Sinha

Founder & Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania

Deep Kalra

Founder, MakeMyTrip

BA Economics, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, IIM Ahmedabad

Sanjeev Bikhchandani

Founder and Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (Naukri.com)
Visiting Faculty, Young India Fellowship

BA, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad 

Ashish Dhawan

Founding Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Advisory Council, The Isaac Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, Ashoka University
Founder and Chairman, Central Square Foundation

BS, Yale University
MBA, Harvard University

K. VijayRaghavan

Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka University

Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India

FAQs

1) What is YSP Entrepreneurship, Business, and Leadership Advanced (EBL Advanced)?

YSP Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership Advanced (EBL Advanced) is a certified 10-day residential programme that builds on EBL Essentials (Week 1) with an additional week of advanced learning about the capability to manage growth and sustainability across startups, family enterprises, and corporate contexts. Students explore core business thinking in domains like marketing and consumer behaviour, business model canvas, narrative building, and finally pitch presentations, along with critical skills of design thinking, storytelling, and business negotiation. Through intensive workshops and simulations, participants move from theory to practice — designing go-to-market strategies, evaluating real business cases, and strengthening business communication.

2) Is YSP EBL Advanced an online or offline programme?

YSP Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership Advanced (EBL Advanced) is an offline, residential programme and will be held in person at Ashoka University Campus in Sonipat, Haryana.

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.