The 11th edition of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp (YEB), organised by BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, has concluded after five days of intensive academic engagement. The program offered high school students a rigorous introduction to startup thinking grounded in structured analysis, technology, and industry-aligned problem-solving.
Designed for students from Grades 9 to 12, YEB 2025 moved beyond introductory exposure by adopting a framework-based approach. The bootcamp guided participants through the complete venture creation journey, from identifying pressing challenges to developing validated business models and delivering investor-style pitches.
A Framework For Founder Mindsets
The bootcamp opened with an address by Prof. Souri Banerjee, Director of BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, who emphasized the importance of early exposure to founder mindsets and analytical thinking.
“Entrepreneurship education is not only about starting ventures, but about nurturing resilience, structured reasoning, and the ability to approach complex challenges with clarity and purpose. YEB provides young learners with a strong foundation to think critically, collaborate effectively, and build solutions that have operational relevance,” he said.
The inaugural ceremony also featured H.E. Laila El Atfani, who highlighted the role of youth-led innovation in shaping future-ready economies. Industry leaders Mr. Rizwan Adatia, Chairman of COGEF Group – RAF Global, and Mr. Prateek Suri, Founder of Maser Group and a BITS Pilani alumnus, shared insights on scaling enterprises through discipline and long-term vision.
From Idea To Pitch
Across the week, participants engaged in academically driven sessions led by faculty members and industry practitioners from the UAE and the United States. The curriculum covered idea generation, business model design, revenue strategies, financial literacy, and pitching skills.
Technical exposure was integrated through workshops on 3D printing, space technology applications, and sustainable materials, reinforcing the link between engineering and innovation-led ventures. Students also gained operational exposure through an industry visit, helping them understand manufacturing processes, quality standards, and innovation workflows beyond the classroom.
Student Innovations Take Center Stage
The culmination of the bootcamp was a student pitching competition, where teams presented business concepts addressing challenges in sustainability, renewable energy, food safety, and inclusive commerce.
The top honour was awarded to Team TAERS for their concept of harvesting renewable energy generated by high-speed trains. Second position was secured by Team FreshGuard for a smart solution to monitor food shelf life, while third position went to Team SwapSole for their modular footwear innovation.
Reflecting on the outcomes, Prof. Trupti Gokhale said, “YEB was designed to translate ideas into action. It is immensely rewarding to see the young participants leave with confidence, clarity, and leadership skills. Entrepreneurship is not just about starting companies; it’s about solving real problems. YEB has empowered the participants for the same.”
About Young Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp
The Young Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp (YEB) is an annual program organized by BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, for high school students in Grades 9 to 12. It aims to provide a strong foundation in entrepreneurship through a framework-based approach that covers the entire venture creation lifecycle. The bootcamp combines academic rigour with practical industry exposure, mentorship, and technical workshops to nurture future-ready innovators and problem-solvers.
Source: Zawya
