Funding · Education & Skilling
Indian Startup School gains backing from Luke Talwar
By Startup Enthusiast ·
- Date
- Company
- Indian Startup School
- What it does
- entrepreneurship training school
- Kind
- Funding
- Amount
- Undisclosed
- Based in
- Gurugram
- Sector
- Education & Skilling
What they do
Indian Startup School runs bootcamps, residencies and mentorship programs to train first‑time founders in building startups
What happened
The school received backing from investor Luke Talwar, along with Akshay Batheja and Ayush Gupta, amount undisclosed
Why it matters
Support from a top Indian capitalist signals confidence in ISS’s model and could attract more founders and investors
The details
- ISS announced it has secured backing from investor Luke Talwar, Akshay Batheja, and Ayush Gupta.
- The backing is described as an endorsement, not a takeover, and no financial amount was disclosed.
- Founder Shivang Slathia highlighted the need for structured entrepreneurship education in India.
- ISS offers a six‑month Growth Residency, angel network pitch days, and an Investor School for aspiring angels.
- The school aims to build serious founders for India’s future startup ecosystem.
- The announcement was made in a press release dated September 24 2025.
- The backing signals confidence from established ecosystem players in ISS’s model.
- No details on equity stake or valuation were provided.
The bigger picture
- India lacks formal institutions that teach entrepreneurship through practice rather than theory.
- Existing incubators focus on mentorship but not on structured curricula like ISS.
- Top investors backing a startup school is rare and may encourage similar initiatives.
About the business
- Indian Startup School provides entrepreneurship bootcamps, residency programs, and mentorship for first‑time founders.
- It connects participants with an angel network and organizes pitch days for funding access.
- Curriculum is designed by practitioners, investors and experienced founders rather than academic professors.
- The school operates primarily out of Gurugram, Haryana, targeting founders across Indian cities.
- It positions itself as a university‑style institution for practical startup building.
- The brand tagline claims it is where unicorns are born.
The deal
- Type
- funding
Investors
- Luke Talwar (lead) — Top 43 Capitalists of India 2021, associated with World Startup Convention
- Akshay Batheja (co-lead) — Gurugram real estate mogul
- Ayush Gupta (participated) — Chartered Accountant from EY
Founders
- Shivang Slathia, Founder