In a significant initiative to bridge academia with entrepreneurship, Dr. Namita Nigam, Dr. Smita Agrawal, Ms. Sanandi Sachdeva, Dr. Ashwani Varshney (Dean Students Welfare), and students of Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad visited Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held from April 3–5, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The objective was clear: to explore the vibrant startup landscape, forge connections with founders, investors, and innovators, and bring back insights to further strengthen the institute’s innovation ecosystem.
Objective of the Visit
The primary aim was to:
- Engage with emerging startups
- Network with entrepreneurs, angel investors, and industry experts
- Explore potential collaborations for expert talks, mentorship, and motivational sessions
- Foster an entrepreneurial mindset and drive campus innovation initiatives
Experience & Interactions
During the three-day event, the faculty and students immersed themselves in the dynamic world of startups. They interacted with innovators across industries such as health tech, agritech, FMCG, fintech, and sustainability.
From casual discussions to strategic dialogue, the visit was marked by:
- Discovery of cutting-edge technologies and ideas
- Insightful conversations with founders and startup mentors
- Exploration of collaborations for domain-specific guest lectures and workshops
A special moment of pride was when Divyansh, a student at JIM, was selected for a 3-day live internship at the stall of Aanandhamayaa Green Solution—a Tamil Nadu-based startup focused on eco-friendly innovation. This opportunity provided him real-world exposure and served as a powerful example of initiative-based learning.
Key Takeaways & Observations
- Innovation Across Sectors: Startups demonstrated solutions for modern-day challenges across a diverse set of industries.
- Rise of Regional Startups: A strong presence of startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities showcased the entrepreneurial growth beyond metros.
- Shark Tank Effect: Brands that appeared on Shark Tank India attracted significant traction, reaffirming the platform’s role in startup visibility.
- Networking is Everything: The summit offered direct access to incubators, investors, and innovators, fueling collaboration possibilities.
- Support for Indigenous Innovation: Several startups highlighted Ayurvedic products, tribal entrepreneurship, and local craft, emphasizing the value of indigenous knowledge systems.
Outcome of the Visit
This experiential learning opportunity added immense value for both faculty and students. It led to:
- Strengthened industry-academia linkages
- Greater awareness of real-world entrepreneurial challenges
- A platform for live student engagement and internships
- Strategic ideas for integrating startup case studies and trends into the curriculum
The visit to Startup Mahakumbh 2025 reinforced Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad’s commitment to nurturing future-ready, innovation-driven leaders. With deeper insights and newly built connections, the institution is now better positioned to infuse practical entrepreneurship into its academic ethos.
