Deriving Critical Success Factors of Startup Incubators in India

Bio:In her capstone, Yana Gupta (MPP 2026) examines the factors influencing the success of startup incubators in India and evaluates the effectiveness of existing incubation models. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines literature review, policy analysis, comparative international insights, and stakeholder interviews. The findings highlight the importance of mentorship quality, flexible incubator design, strong ecosystem linkages, research commercialization, and collaboration among stakeholders. The capstone argues that standardized incubation models may not suit diverse regional contexts and recommends more localized, adaptable, and outcome-oriented approaches to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem.