Delhi, February 27th, 2025: Entrepreneurship training pioneer I Create India, a non-profit organization, marked 25 years of impact with a Silver Jubilee celebration on February 26 at Delhi’s Manekshaw Auditorium. The milestone event showcased I Create’s quarter-century journey of empowering army veterans, women, and youth through comprehensive entrepreneurship training and mentorship programs.
A key highlight of the celebration was the launch of book authored by I Create Chief Mentor Ulhas Kamat, a leading figure in entrepreneurship development. The handbook aims to provide practical guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs, reflecting I Create’s mission of fostering sustainable business ventures.-
The event was graced by Lt. Gen. Ranjeet Singh, Director General Discipline, Ceremonial and Welfare, as the Chief Guest who felicitated over 30 Indian Army veterans who successfully established businesses after training with I Create. This recognition underscores the organization’s commitment to supporting the approximately 60,000 veterans who retire from the Indian Army each year, helping them channel their discipline, commitment, and risk-taking abilities into entrepreneurial success.
Commenting on 25 years of I Create, Mr. Harsh Bhargava-Founder said, “In a nation where millions enter a job market with too few opportunities, I Create has spent 25 years battling India’s employment crisis through entrepreneurship. What began as a modest center in Jaipur has evolved into a national movement transforming lives across India. Starting with one Business Incubation Center (BIC) for training army veterans, the number has reached seventeen as of February 2025. These BICs are operated in a PPP mode between DIAV (Directorate of Indian Army Veterans), I Create, and Corporate Sponsors/Foundations. We are grateful to our BIC sponsors – HCL Foundation, Bajaj FinServ, The Hans Foundation, Bajaj Allianz, and IndusInd Bank. Establishing and operating Army BICs is the flagship program of I Create. Our army veterans apply battlefield courage to business challenges, our women entrepreneurs revolutionize entire communities, and our youth reject dependency to become job creators. As we mark this Silver Jubilee, we honour the economic freedom fighters who are reshaping India’s future, one business at a time. We gratefully acknowledge our event sponsors – State Bank of India, Ivy Cap Ventures, Union Bank of India, and NKGSB bank”.
Lt. Gen. Ranjeet Singh, the Chief Guest, highlighted the significance of I Create’s mission, “As we celebrate I Create India’s 25th anniversary, we honor a journey that empowers individuals to become job creators, fostering financial independence and community growth. This noble endeavor is especially impactful for our veterans, who bring discipline and hard work to entrepreneurship. I Create India’s success stories inspire us to expand this model further, benefiting more veterans and contributing to national development. By supporting this endeavor, we can empower more individuals to become visionary leaders, contributing to a stronger, more resilient nation.”
The celebration included the screening of a documentary about I Create’s work, the release of a commemorative coffee table book documenting the organization’s journey, and recognition of donors who have supported the cause. The venue presented key milestones in I Create’s 25-year journey through banners and standees.
With BICs in army locations at Bangalore, Pune, Ahmednagar, Lucknow, Jabalpur, Nashik, Delhi, Roorkee, Ranikhet, Belgaum, Ayodhya, Fatehgarh, and Secundarabad I Create has established a national presence since its humble beginnings at the turn of the century. Its National Academy in Bengaluru continues to develop new tools and programs while ensuring quality entrepreneurship development across its network.