Shafi Shoukath often says that his journey began with a simple observation. India had bright founders with bold ideas, but many of them were working without the guidance or surroundings they needed. This thought stayed with him for years and pushed him to start IQue Ventures. He wanted to build something that could help young companies grow with confidence. His belief was shaped by moments where he watched good ideas fade simply because the right people and resources were not in the same place. That early realisation set the tone for everything he would later build.
The first phase of his work felt both exciting and tiring. He carried a clear goal in his mind, yet most days were filled with long conversations, uncertain permissions, and countless visits to partners who were unsure of the scale he aimed for. Finding the land for the first Startup Park took time and patience. Bringing in investors and convincing government authorities required steady effort. At the same time he had to keep founders engaged, because they were the ones who would breathe life into the larger plan. Those months taught him how to stay calm, how to adjust quickly, and how to keep people together even when the path ahead looked foggy.
There has always been one thought that keeps him grounded. “People build better when the right surroundings are created for them,” he says. This simple line shaped his direction and helped him stay steady when choices were difficult. He wanted IQue Ventures to create an environment where founders, mentors, investors, and public bodies could work with each other with ease. Everything he planned was guided by this purpose. Even the book he later wrote about India’s growth reflects the same belief that young builders grow faster when they have the right circle around them.
One of the biggest tests came when he committed to building the Startup Park. It was far more complicated than setting up an office or running an accelerator. It involved land work, permissions, real estate development, investor interest, and the specific requirements of young companies that would eventually set up there. Bringing all of this together strengthened him in ways he had not expected. He had to stay patient with delays, keep conversations alive across a wide mix of people, and make sure the space delivered real value once it opened its doors.
He believes that leaders of young companies should think beyond themselves. He enjoys working with people who guide others, who stay calm during tough phases, and who are ready to turn problems into steady growth. This thought expanded into a new project called India’s Next Hundred Leaders, where he hopes to encourage and shape the next group of young builders.
The moment that stays closest to his heart is the day the Startup Park opened. Watching founders walk into the space for the first time felt unreal to him. Investors began visiting regularly, government officials stopped by to understand the work, and the whole idea finally turned into something people could see and touch. His book on India’s rise from developing to developed also created fresh interest and helped more people understand his long term purpose.
Shoukath now speaks with confidence about building one hundred Startup Parks across the country. He believes young founders will play a huge part in India’s rise and he wants every region to have a place that gives them the right start. His work continues with the same quiet certainty he carried on day one and he remains driven by one simple thought. “When you help a founder grow, you help the nation grow.”
