To celebrate National Startup Day, the Department of Computer Science in collaboration with the E-Cell & Incubation Centre of the college organized a session in Classroom F-105 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., featuring two distinguished speakers:
1. Vedshree Lawande: Founder of Vedkala Collections and Finance Head of Samsan Power Rentals.
2. Sanjay Mulvi: Head of Seed Fund & Incubation at the Centre for Incubation & Business Acceleration (CIBA).
The session commenced with a warm welcome and an introduction of the resource persons by Miss Hema Parab from TY B.Voc(ST).
Ms. Vedshree Lawande shared her entrepreneurial journey, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discussed the challenges she faced and offered valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, including:
- Strategies for securing funding and scaling a business.
- The importance of networking to expand the client base and enhance visibility.
- Adherence to time commitments, especially in product-based industries.
- Building and maintaining customer loyalty.
- She concluded by emphasizing her success mantra: hard work, dedication, and consistency.
- Sanjay Mulvi provided a clear distinction between a startup and an enterprise. He elaborated on the various facilities and support offered by CIBA, particularly in sectors such as:
- Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES)
- Product Development & Design
- Food Processing
- Travel, Tourism, and Entertainment
He also presented an overview of the funding provided by CIBA, external funds raised, and highlighted top-performing startups and seed-funded ventures supported by CIBA.
The session was highly interactive, with students actively engaging in discussions. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sheetal Arondekar, Convenor of the E-Cell & Incubation Centre. Assistant Professor Vinaya Kirloskar coordinated the session, which was attended by a total of 32 students (20 males, 12 females) across various programmes.
Expected Outcomes of the Activity
The students gained practical insights into entrepreneurship, including the challenges and strategies involved in starting and scaling a business. The session raised awareness about the resources, facilities, and funding opportunities available at incubation centres like CIBA. The participants had the opportunity to connect with experienced entrepreneurs and industry representatives, potentially opening doors for guidance and mentorship.
