36  Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI of India)

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI of India), established in 1983 and located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a pioneering national institution dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship education, training, research, and policy advocacy. Sponsored by apex financial institutions such as IDBI, IFCI, ICICI, and SBI, EDI has evolved into a globally recognized center of excellence in entrepreneurship development.

According to Desai (2014), EDI has been instrumental in developing models for entrepreneurship training, while Hisrich et al. (2020) emphasize its contributions to incubation, cluster development, and policy support.

36.1 Objectives of EDI

  • To institutionalize entrepreneurship through training and education.
  • To develop and disseminate entrepreneurship curricula and methodologies.
  • To undertake research and publications on entrepreneurship and small business development.
  • To establish incubation centers and promote startups.
  • To act as a policy advisory body for governments.
  • To collaborate with international organizations in advancing entrepreneurship.

36.2 Major Activities

  • Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs): Training aspiring and existing entrepreneurs across sectors.
  • Postgraduate Education: PGDM in Business Entrepreneurship, PGDM in Development Studies.
  • Research & Publications: Produces reports, case studies, and journals on entrepreneurship.
  • Incubation & Startups: Operates incubation centers supporting tech and social ventures.
  • Cluster Development: Assists MSME clusters in upgrading competitiveness.
  • International Cooperation: Provides training to participants from developing countries under ITEC programs.

36.3 Indian Perspective

  • EDI works closely with state governments to design state-level entrepreneurship policies.
  • Plays a key role in Startup India, Make in India, and Skill India missions.
  • Case: EDI supported handicraft clusters in Gujarat, enabling artisans to access global markets.
  • Case: Incubation support at EDI helped agritech startups scale their operations.

36.4 Global Perspective

  • EDI collaborates with UNDP, ILO, Commonwealth Secretariat, and World Bank.
  • Has conducted international EDPs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
  • Recognized as a regional resource center for entrepreneurship development by several global organizations.

36.5 Achievements

  • Trained thousands of entrepreneurs and trainers in India and abroad.
  • Developed the widely adopted EDI model of EDPs, used by state and central agencies.
  • Established itself as a leading academic center for entrepreneurship education.

36.6 Conceptual Diagram

graph LR
    A["EDI of India"] --> B["Entrepreneurship Training & EDPs"]
    A --> C["Postgraduate Education"]
    A --> D["Research & Publications"]
    A --> E["Incubation & Startups"]
    A --> F["Cluster Development"]
    A --> G["International Cooperation"]

    %% Style
    classDef dark fill:#004E64,color:#ffffff,stroke:orange,stroke-width:3px,rx:10px,ry:10px;
    class A,B,C,D,E,F,G dark;

36.7 Challenges

  • Resource constraints in scaling incubation and cluster programs.
  • Need for continuous curriculum updates to match digital and global trends.
  • Limited outreach in remote areas despite national presence.
  • Dependence on donor and government support for some initiatives.

36.8 Future Outlook

  • Expansion of Incubation Centers: Focus on agritech, healthtech, and green entrepreneurship.
  • Digital Training Modules: Use of online platforms for wider outreach.
  • Global Collaborations: Partnerships with international universities and development bodies.
  • Policy Advocacy: Stronger role in shaping state and central entrepreneurship policies.
  • Research Innovation: Greater focus on entrepreneurship in emerging sectors like AI, fintech, and sustainability.

36.9 Summary

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI of India) is a pioneering institution advancing entrepreneurship education, research, and incubation.
- Offers EDPs, postgraduate education, incubation, cluster development, and international programs.
- Supports national missions like Startup India and Skill India.
- Collaborates with global organizations to promote entrepreneurship in developing countries.
- Case studies highlight its role in handicraft clusters and agritech incubation.

By strengthening its digital platforms, incubation facilities, and international linkages, EDI can continue to shape India’s entrepreneurial landscape and enhance its global standing.