The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad, organized a panel discussion on Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Enablers Across Regional, State, and National Frameworks on 20 August 2026 at the JIM Auditorium.
The session brought together startup founders and innovation ecosystem leaders to give MBA students practical perspectives on entrepreneurship, startup growth and the support mechanisms available to emerging ventures. With 255 students participating, the discussion created an engaging platform for learning directly from professionals with experience across the startup and innovation ecosystem.
Bringing Startup and Innovation Leaders Together
The panel featured:
- Dr. Sanjay Kumar – GIMS Medical Innovation Center AI
- Ms. Gunjan Verma – Head, Partnerships, STEP
- Mr. Ashish Gupta – Founder, Fretbox
- Dr. Gaurav S. Shishodiya – Director, LemFord
The discussion was coordinated by Dr. Smita Agrawal, Dr. Namita Nigam and Dr. Devi Archna.
Through their experiences and insights, the panel members introduced students to different dimensions of entrepreneurship, from building an idea and navigating early challenges to accessing partnerships, mentorship and ecosystem support.
Understanding the Startup Ecosystem
A key objective of the panel discussion was to familiarize MBA students with the startup ecosystem and the various support mechanisms available at regional, state and national levels.
The speakers discussed the role of incubators, startup support organizations, industry partnerships, government initiatives and innovation ecosystems in supporting entrepreneurial ventures.
Students gained insights into how these ecosystem enablers can provide early-stage ventures with access to mentorship, networks and other forms of support that can contribute to startup development and growth.
Learning from Real Entrepreneurial Journeys
The panelists shared their entrepreneurial journeys, motivations, growth paths and challenges encountered while building ventures and working within the innovation ecosystem.
Their experiences highlighted the importance of perseverance, adaptability and continuous learning in navigating entrepreneurial challenges. The discussion gave students an opportunity to understand entrepreneurship beyond theoretical concepts and examine the practical realities associated with developing and scaling a venture.
The interaction also reinforced the role of innovation and resilience when responding to changing business environments and emerging opportunities.
Exploring Incubation, Mentorship and Partnerships
Another important focus of the session was the support infrastructure available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Students learned about incubation, mentorship, partnerships and innovation support available for early-stage ventures. The panelists discussed how entrepreneurs can engage with ecosystem stakeholders and make effective use of available support frameworks while developing their business ideas.
These insights enabled students to better understand how startup ecosystems connect entrepreneurs with resources, expertise and opportunities at different stages of their journey.
Interactive Discussion with MBA Students
The panel discussion concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session.
Students raised questions around startup ideation, scaling businesses, funding opportunities and career prospects in entrepreneurship. The interaction allowed them to seek practical guidance directly from startup founders and ecosystem leaders while exploring their own entrepreneurial interests.
The active participation of students made the session both engaging and relevant to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Key Learning Outcomes
The session provided students with practical exposure to the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial journeys of experienced founders and innovation leaders. Students developed a clearer understanding of resilience, adaptability and innovation as important elements of entrepreneurship.
They also became more aware of the regional, state and national support frameworks available to startups, particularly opportunities related to incubation and mentorship.
Most importantly, the session encouraged students to view entrepreneurship as a potential career path and motivated them to participate actively in future IIC, innovation and startup initiatives at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad.
Through initiatives such as these, the Institution’s Innovation Council continues to strengthen innovation-driven learning and entrepreneurial awareness among MBA students, connecting management education with practical insights from the startup ecosystem.
