This tracer study assesses the contribution of Youth Co:Lab (YCL) in India, across cohorts implemented between 2019 and 2025. The study examines how participation in YCL influenced the entrepreneurial trajectories of youth-led ventures, with a focus on enterprise sustainability, access to finance, ecosystem engagement, and founder capability development. It also evaluates the programme’s contribution to inclusive innovation by assessing outcomes for women entrepreneurs, founders from underserved regions, socially disadvantaged communities, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and other underrepresented groups.

Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) evaluation framework, the study analyses programme performance across the dimensions of Relevance, Effectiveness, Coherence, Impact, and Sustainability. Evidence was drawn from quantitative surveys with 54 alumni, qualitative interviews with founders and ecosystem stakeholders, programme documentation, and in-depth case studies.

The study aims to generate evidence on the longer-term outcomes of Youth Co:Lab and identify lessons for strengthening future youth innovation and entrepreneurship programming in India. In addition to assessing venture-level outcomes, the report also examines how YCL contributed to strengthening the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem by improving access to mentorship, networks, learning opportunities, and catalytic support for early-stage founders.