Much like how a championship sports franchise relies on a deep bench of data analysts, bio-mechanics, and strategists off the field, the modern space race demands far more than just the astronauts on the launchpad. Recognizing this shifting paradigm, Bennett University marked a major foray into the commercial space economy with the launch of its SpaceTech Venture Cohort during the highly anticipated Deeksharambh 2026 orientation programme.

The initiative was formally inaugurated by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently became the second Indian ever to go to space and contributed to critical scientific research aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Addressing the incoming students, Group Captain Shukla emphasized the importance of resilience in both space exploration and entrepreneurship. "Failure is not the end of the road, but one of the best mediums to learn and reinvent yourself," he stated. "Believe me, we also made mistakes in space, and many missions faced problems. When things get tough, you must rely on your preparation and hard work."

This sentiment was echoed by Special Guest and Khel Ratna awardee Ronjan Sodhi. The former world No. 1 double trap shooter drew parallels between elite sports and the demanding space industry. "Whether you are aiming for a podium finish or launching a startup into orbit, the foundational values of razor-sharp focus and unwavering perseverance are exactly the same," Sodhi noted.

The newly launched cohort is designed to tap into the booming global space economy, shattering the long-held myth that the sector is reserved exclusively for astrophysicists. Instead, the programme is throwing its doors open to a diverse talent pool—coders, designers, policy thinkers, life scientists, architects, and entrepreneurs. The core philosophy of the initiative is to encourage students to view space not merely as a frontier for scientific discovery, but as a fertile ground to build scalable ventures and solve complex, real-world challenges.

Adding to the academic arsenal, Group Captain Shukla also unveiled the Space Founders Manual at the event. Positioned as an A-to-Z playbook for aspiring space entrepreneurs, the manual cements the university’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of SpaceTech founders.

By bringing together a veteran of the ISS, a sporting icon, and a fresh cohort of cross-disciplinary innovators, Deeksharambh 2026 successfully bridged the gap between orbital inspiration and grounded entrepreneurship, opening a new universe of possibilities for the student body.