Bridging the Skill Gap through Start-up Driven Learning: A Study of Incubation-Based Experiential Learning in Higher Education Institutions

Bridging the Skill Gap through Start-up Driven Learning: A Study of Incubation-Based Experiential Learning in Higher Education Institutions Dr. Prashant B. Kalaskar Professor, Indira School of Business Studies PGDM, Pune Dr. Ashish Shrivastava Associate Director, Centre for Incubation and Innovation, Indira University, Pune Prof. Meghasham Choudhari Assistant Professor, School of Business, Indira University, Pune Abstract Youths are the growth engines for the developing economies like India. This study examines the role of start-up driven learning in bridging the persistent skill gap among students in higher education institutions. With increasing industry demand for job-ready graduates, traditional pedagogical approaches often fail to equip learners with practical competencies. The research focuses on incubation-based experiential learning models that integrate real-world entrepreneurial exposure into academic environments. By analysing student participation in incubation centres, start-up projects, and mentorship programs, the study evaluates the development of critical skills such as problemsolving, innovation, teamwork, and decision-making. A quantitative approach is adopted. Data were collected from 303 respondents, exceeding recommended thresholds for SEM. The findings indicate that incubation-based learning significantly enhances employability skills and entrepreneurial orientation among students. The study highlights the need for institutional support, industry collaboration, and policy-level interventions to strengthen experiential learning frameworks. It concludes that start-up driven ecosystems can serve as effective mechanisms for aligning academic outcomes with evolving industry requirements. Keywords: experiential learning, Start-up incubation, Skill gap, Entrepreneurship, Higher education Innovation, Industry-academia Collaboration, Incubation-based pedagogy