EDUCATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL ASPIRATIONS: INSIGHTS FROM STUDENTS IN RAJKOT

Entrepreneurship is fast becoming a key pillar of India’s economic and social development. This study explores how college students in Rajkot perceive the support they receive for pursuing entrepreneurial dreams. It focuses on two main areas: educational support provided by institutions - such as workshops, mentorship and encouragement from faculty and structural support from the broader ecosystem, including government policies, funding access and motivational events. To capture these insights, a structured survey was conducted with 148 students from both urban and rural areas of Rajkot. Their responses were analyzed using statistical tools to uncover patterns and differences. Students shared a positive outlook on both forms of support and interestingly, there was no significant gap between rural and urban respondents; suggesting that the entrepreneurial ecosystem is fairly balanced across localities. These insights offer valuable direction to educators, policymakers and ecosystem enablers aiming to strengthen entrepreneurial spirit in tier-2 cities. By continuing to invest in both institutional and external support, we can better equip today’s youth to turn ideas into enterprises. Future studies can go a step further by examining how these support systems influence real-world business outcomes.