Young Entrepreneurs Fund Launches with $10M to Support Next-Gen Innovators

The much-anticipated Young Entrepreneurs Fund (YEF), a $10 million initiative, officially launched today, on April 7, 2025, with an unconventional mission — to empower the next generation of innovators and disrupt the traditional venture capital landscape. Led by Harshavardhan Chauhaan, the mind behind billion-dollar ventures in retail and D2C markets, YEF focuses on supporting early-stage founders in Deep Tech, Clean Energy, Rural Platforms, and National IP sectors. This initiative is not just about investing money; it represents a shift in business thinking that aligns with the evolving future of India.

The fund is funded by the proceeds of Chauhaan's bold new book, #NCAYB (Nobody Cares About Your Brand), which challenges traditional marketing and branding principles. Unlike conventional investors who focus on metrics like financial projections and pitch decks, YEF takes an unorthodox approach. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 will be awarded to early-stage ideas, emphasizing societal impact and scalability over standard business plans. This unique structure reflects Chauhaan’s belief that the future of business isn't about products; it's about trust.

Chauhaan elaborated on the fund’s vision, emphasizing the need for a new business model: “The revolution in business will not come from boardrooms clinging to old theories but from founders in garages and digital spaces creating new systems based on trust, not products. This fund aims to reshape the way we think about entrepreneurship.” The funds' commitment is to trust-based consumer relationships and empowering entrepreneurs who understand this shift.

The Young Entrepreneurs Fund isn't just about financial backing. It also offers mentorship from global brand strategists and serial entrepreneurs who specialize in fostering deep, trust-based connections with consumers. Ashish Soni, an IIT Bombay alumnus and industry leader in AI, has joined as a pro bono mentor. With his 14 years of expertise, Soni will play a key role in guiding YEF's direction, ensuring it stays aligned with its forward-thinking goals of building sustainable, high-impact solutions.

In its focus on critical sectors, YEF aims to support Deep Tech startups pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and robotics, Clean Energy projects that further sustainability, and Rural Platforms to bridge the gap between urban and rural India. Additionally, YEF seeks to scale National IP initiatives, empowering local innovations with global potential. By backing such initiatives, YEF hopes to contribute to the realization of a self-reliant, trust-driven economy in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat and Karmyogi Bharat.

Applications for YEF will open on April 14, 2025, and will be available exclusively at NobodyCaresForYourBrand.com. The fund's bold approach to entrepreneurship promises to reshape the future of Indian innovation.