Sri Sri University and National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) organize National Startup Workshop
Cuttack: To develop a startup culture among the students, Srinnovation Club, the Entrepreneurship Cell of Sri Sri University in collaboration with National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) organised “Startup Forerunner – The Journey Begins”, a two day national workshop. The first day saw leading entrepreneurs and startup mentors joining the participants and students to train them in the basics of starting a new business and how best to take advantage of the new startup ecosystem in the country. Students and alumnus from leading institutes like NLUO and XLRI have joined the workshop with their business plans to get guidance, mentoring and access to investment.
The main objective of this event is to provide the aspiring entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their business ideas in front of the preeminent personalities of the industry, obtain their support and attract investment opportunities.
The inaugural session started with Guru Puja conducted by Farrah Sangma and Varshini Reddy. Mr. S.K. Sahoo, Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India joined as the Chief Guest.
Mr. C.R. Pattnaik, the Regional Head of Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Mr. Nihar Ranjan Samal, Deputy General Manager of IDBI and Mr. Barada Prasad, Regional Manager of National Entrepreneurship Network joined as honoured guests. From the university, Dr. Jyotirmaya Mahapatra, the Dean of Faculty Management Studies (FMS) and Dr. P. Srinivas Subbarao, the Executive Registrar and the Mentor of Srinnovation graced the occasion.
Prof Subbarao welcomed the guests, delegates, participants and partners like NEN, NALCO, Odisha Diary and India Education Diary. He shared the success story of the MBA Entrepreneurship programme where students have emerged as successful entrepreneurs. He emphasized on the need of translating ideas into reality.
Prof Mahapatra cited several successful examples from Odisha where including the case of IMFA of Dr. Bansidhar Panda who had met Mr. Biju Patnaik, the then Chief Minister for a job. Biju Patnaik instead advised to create a business and IMFA emerged. Mr. Barada Prasad introduced NEN and the work of Wadhwani Foundation in preparing young minds to create startups. He highlighted NEN’s work in Odisha and how the initiative of reaching out to students and young professionals is getting encouraging result.
Mr. Patnaik advised the students and budding entrepreneurs to create powerful ideas but don’t fall in love with them rather translate those ideas into reality. He insisted that it is ideas which may fail and may lead to other successful ideas but individuals must not accept failure. Mr. Samal exhorted the value of honesty and virtue in starting a business. He suggested that ideas may start from a traditional thought process and it has to be complemented by innovation. He explained how the startup ecosystem is offering great possibilities now to start a business. It has been possible with the Narendra Modi government easing norms and facilitating new business.
Dr. Sahoo shared his work as a promoter of entrepreneurial spirit. He informed the participants regarding the government’s plan to include entrepreneurship in school syllabus. He hoped that this government policy would help create more jobs. Quoting APJ Abdul Kalam Dr. Sahoo said that ignited minds have the capacity to develop new ideas.
Bibhu Prasad Prusty, the CEO of Srinnovation offered vote of thanks. Varsha Mishra and Raunak Bansal hosted the inaugural session. Parikshit Choudhury and Sweta Sharma hosted the Mentor introductory session.