Assistant Director (InfoEdge Centre for Entrepreneurship)

Job Title:

Location:

Experience (in years):

Nature of work:

About Ashoka University:

Ashoka University is India's premier interdisciplinary teaching and research university, an institution that has become a beacon of academic excellence in less than 10 years since its inception. At Ashoka, we encourage you to embrace change, learn and grow continuously, and strive for excellence in what you do.

As part of our thriving and committed workforce, you will:

• Be Mission-Driven

  : Champion interdisciplinary learning, innovative pedagogy, and academic rigor to transform Indian higher education.

• Think Strategically

  : Collaborate with other innovative colleagues to shape the future of higher education through strategic planning and a forward-thinking approach.

• Act Authentically

  : Embrace authenticity and integrity, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every voice is valued.

• Take Accountability

  : Own your work and drive positive change, as an individual seeking to make a meaningful contribution.

• Build Collaboration

  : Experience the power of teamwork and diverse perspectives, working collectively towards our shared goals.

• Deliver Excellence

  : Strive for high quality in all aspects, upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, student support, and professional development opportunities.

At Ashoka University, we are on a mission to redefine higher education and create a remarkable space where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a pioneering force in interdisciplinary learning, we continually grow and adapt to stay at the forefront of educational excellence with an emphasis on inclusivity and equal opportunity. Our philosophy revolves around care, well-being, and connection, which are deeply embedded in everything we do.

When you join our community, you become part of an extraordinary journey in which you can enhance your potential and make a meaningful impact.

About the InfoEdge Centre for Entrepreneurship

Ashoka University's InfoEdge Centre for Entrepreneurship is the creative hub that fosters the entrepreneurial endeavours of all Ashokans students, fellows, faculty members & founders. The InfoEdge Centre for Entrepreneurship helps students turn their dreams into viable business ventures. The centre encourages a culture of innovation on the campus through various activities & campaigns under the guidance of some of India's most successful entrepreneurs. Students are guided through each step of setting up a new business like inspiration, ideation, incubation, monetisation & internationalization. To know more please visit https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/cfe/

About the Role

The Assistant Director will play a pivotal role in shaping, scaling, and delivering entrepreneurship engagement at Ashoka University. The role goes beyond program management: it requires someone who can mentor aspiring student founders, build bridges between academia and entrepreneurial practice, and connect Ashoka's vibrant student community with India's startup ecosystem.

The incumbent will be at the frontline leadership role of shaping entrepreneurial culture at Ashoka. By blending academic insight with real-world practice, the role ensures that students don't just learn about entrepreneurship but live it, through ventures launched, events hosted, inspirational speakers engaged, and networks built. This role is central to CfE's mission of nurturing problem-solvers with a liberal arts mindset who can lead India's next wave of innovation.

Role and Responsibilities:

Student Engagement & Mentorship

Mentor student startups and early-stage ventures, guiding them through ideation, validation, prototyping, and go-to-market strategies.

Provide structured support (mentoring circles, pitch reviews, venture clinics) to help students turn ideas into viable ventures.

Serve as the first port of call for students seeking entrepreneurship guidance, offering coaching and connecting them to external mentors.

Ecosystem Building & Networking

Develop and nurture strong connections with founders, investors, incubators, accelerators, corporates, and ecosystem enablers.

Create structured pipelines for students to access opportunities such as internships in startups, entrepreneurial fellowships, and venture competitions.

Actively represent CfE and Ashoka in entrepreneurship forums and networks, strengthening the university's position in the national and global ecosystem.

Events & Flagship Initiatives

Conceptualise, plan, and execute marquee entrepreneurship events on campus, such as:

1. Startup Ashoka the university's annual celebration of entrepreneurship.
2. Entrepreneurship Haat a student-led marketplace showcasing entrepreneurial products and services.
3. Entrepreneurship Weekender immersive bootcamps bringing together innovators, mentors, and investors.

Work with student societies and faculty to co-create vibrant programs that keep entrepreneurship visible and exciting on campus.

Guest Speakers & Thought Leadership

Curate and host high-impact speaker series, including:

Inspiring Speaker Series (notable founders and leaders sharing journeys).

Passion Entrepreneurship Series (spotlighting niche, purpose-driven, and unconventional entrepreneurial stories).

Create platforms where students interact meaningfully with practitioners, building inspiration and real-world insights into the curriculum.

Funding & Investor Linkages

Build a pipeline of access to funding by forging relationships with angel networks, venture capital firms, CSR funds, and philanthropic investors.

Curate investor roundtables, pitch days, and demo sessions to connect Ashoka's student startups with funding opportunities.

Guide students on crafting compelling pitches and fundraising strategies.

AcademicPractice Bridge

Serve as a connector between academic learning and entrepreneurial practice, ensuring students apply classroom lessons to real-world startup contexts.

Collaborate with faculty to integrate practical entrepreneurship components into courses (live projects, case studies, startup immersion).

Support research initiatives that capture insights from the entrepreneurship ecosystem and feed them back into teaching and student programs.

Centre Management & Reporting

Oversee operational planning, budgeting, and reporting for entrepreneurship engagement programs.

Track impact metrics (student participation, ventures incubated, funding raised, ecosystem partnerships) and prepare reports for university leadership and donors.

Supervise interns, fellows, and support staff working on CfE programs.

Qualifications and Experience:

Master's degree (business, entrepreneurship, social sciences, or related field preferred).

712 years of professional experience with strong exposure to entrepreneurship, incubation, venture capital, or higher education.

Proven experience in student engagement, program design, ecosystem partnerships, and event execution.

Strong familiarity with India's startup ecosystem and networks.

Skill and Competence:

Strong ability to design and execute programs, while navigating complexities.

Passion for entrepreneurship and student development.

Proven ability to mentor young entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures.

Strong relationship-building skills with founders, investors, and ecosystem partners.

Outstanding communication, event curation, and public speaking abilities.

Comfort with ambiguity, experimentation, and hands-on execution.

Leadership skills to manage staff, interns, and multiple stakeholders.