The ICFAI University, Hyderabad concluded this year’s edition of its annual week-long celebration of Entrepreneurship, ‘Entrepreneurship India 2014’ with the valedictory session and prize distribution held today in the University’s auditorium. ‘Entrepreneurship India 2014’ was organized by Maçon, the student entrepreneurship cell in partnership with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of the University.
The valedictory address was delivered by Shri Abhaey Singh, the Chairman of Kauzala Group and the President of the Indian Debating Union. Shri Singh spoke on value-based leadership and its relevance for Indian entrepreneurs. According to him, Indian entrepreneurs have an edge when it comes to building sustainable business as most of them are rooted in the well-balanced Indian ethos. He advised the aspiring entrepreneurs of the University that they should never lose sight of their vision for something larger than their personal dreams and wishes, if they want to make a difference from a long-run perspective.
The valedictory session marked the culmination of a week-long program, which was inaugurated on the 15th December by Shri Lohit Sahu, the Director and co-founder of Phyzok Learning Solutions, which plays a critical part in ‘Udaan’, CBSE’s prestigious project for educating and mentoring the girl child. Shri Sahu talked about the importance of ‘bootstrapping’ and cited instances from his own experience where determination to make a difference was more important than finding additional monetary resources. In the field of education, he was clear that the current models prevailing will evolve and that start-ups need to be ready to stay ahead of the evolution if they have to do well.
During the week, there were several lectures from special invitees including one on ‘Finance for Value Creation’ by Dr Prasanna Chandra, the Director for Centre for Financial Management. There was also a panel discussion on the use of technology in the health sector, which saw Ms. Mansi Gandhi, the co-founder of DoctorC and Mr. Dev Raj, the CMO of Bumpdocs discuss the evolution of the health care sector in India. Three workshops – one each on news-media, HR issues and B-plan drafting – were also held in the campus during the week. In addition, twelve competitive events were organized for students by Start-Up Hyderabad, the IBS Case Research Centre and the various student clubs of the ICFAI Business School.
On Friday, the 19th a Business-plan showcase event was held, which saw 52 different Business plans being exhibited to investors, faculty members and students. The showcase prizes were sponsored by Purple Talk Inc. and the teams were evaluated by a panel of eleven experts comprising three investors, three incubators, three start-up founders and two academicians. Mrs. Sobha Rani Yasaswy, the Chairperson of the ICFAI Group was present to witness the showcase. Ferrero and the ICFAI Group sponsored other prizes. The prizes of all competitive events including the events run by Start-Up Hyderabad and the IBS Case Research Centre as well as of the B-Plan Showcase were distributed during the valedictory session.
The Deputy Director of the ICFAI Business School, Prof. S V Seshaiah and the Dean of IBS Case Research Centre, Prof. G V Muralidhara addressed the gathering at the valedictory session. Ms. Saloni Anand, the President of the student E-cell presented a report of the week-long program.
