Tetr College of Business launches $10 million fund for student entrepreneurs

Tetr College of Business, a renowned global business school, has launched a $10 million initiative named the ‘Tetr - Under 20’ fund.

This fund is aimed specifically at supporting young student entrepreneurs by providing them with targeted investments and resources to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. 

The fund will be sector-agnostic and aim to invest in at least 20 ventures, focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, sustainability, and more.

In line with Tetr’s mission, this initiative aims to empower the next generation of business leaders and provide them with access to guidance and mentorship from industry veterans.

Vision and leadership behind the fund

"The next decade belongs to those who can harness AI, emerging technologies, and sustainability to solve our world's most pressing challenges. We're looking for young minds who see these as tools to reshape industries and create meaningful impact," said Pratham Mittal, Founder, Tetr College of Business.

"When you combine the fearless innovation of youth with the transformative power of technology, the possibilities are limitless. Through Tetr - Under 20, we aim to back such minds - not just with the money, but with all the resources they need to turn that idea into a reality," Mittal added.

The fund is led by a group of prominent industry experts, including Manoj Kohli (former Head of SoftBank India), Viney Sawhney (Professor at Harvard University), Nitin Gaur (former Advisory Board Member at Stanford University), Mihir Mankad (Professor at Harvard University), Debesh Sharma (Founder and CEO of MetaFora), and Pratham Mittal himself.

These leaders will provide guidance and mentorship to the selected student entrepreneurs, offering them the necessary tools to succeed in their ventures.

Opportunities and resources for student entrepreneurs

The Tetr - Under 20 fund empowers the next generation of business leaders through mentorship and industry connections.

Selected participants will have access to Tetr’s global network of incubation centres, offering expert mentorship, cutting-edge facilities, and valuable industry connections across various international campuses.

A pitch day will be organized, allowing startups to pitch their ventures to venture capitalists and investors, creating opportunities for future funding and growth.

Supported by a network of venture capitalists, founders, and industry leaders, the Tetr - Under 20 fund will offer comprehensive support across product development, marketing, talent acquisition, and regulatory guidance, the release notes.

Eligibility and application process

The Tetr - Under 20 program is open to aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide who are 20 years or younger as of December 31, 2024.

The opportunity extends to both pre-revenue and post-revenue startups as long as they present innovative ideas with the potential to transform industries. The investors in return will receive equity in the company in proportion to the amount of money they invest in a startup.

To apply, students are required to submit a pitch deck outlining their business idea and vision.

A dedicated portion of the $10 million fund is reserved for startups founded by Tetr College students. This initiative allows young entrepreneurs to focus solely on their startups or balance their business ventures alongside their education.

“Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of a thriving economy, and Tetr's fund recognizes the immense potential today’s young minds hold. Traditionally, VCs look for established businesses and teams with proven track records. For young entrepreneurs, however, we only look for passion, willingness to learn and adapt, and the ability to build and test their ideas with real users. There are many examples of successful entrepreneurs who started early and changed the world - think Mark Zuckerbeg, Bill Gates, or even closer to home, Peyush Bansal (LensKart). Tetr is poised to ignite a generation of such young minds in India,” said Manoj Kohli (ex-SoftBank India Head).

Nurturing next generation businesses

Tetr College of Business, established in 2024 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, offers a four-year Bachelor’s program to 120 undergraduate students from around the world.

The college’s unique educational model allows students to gain practical experience by building businesses across seven countries, including the USA, Italy, Singapore, Brazil, UAE, India, and Ghana.

Students also receive mentorship and instruction from a distinguished group of educators and business leaders affiliated with leading institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Cornell.

The new fund is part of Tetr College’s larger mission to nurture and equip the next generation of business leaders with the skills and support needed to create impactful and successful businesses in the modern global economy.