IIM Raipur hosts its Entrepreneurship Summit on 14th February 2026

  Raipur . Asal Baat news.  February 14, 2026 . The Indian Institute of Management Raipur marked a significant milestone with the successful...

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Raipur .

Asal Baat news. 

February 14, 2026 .

The Indian Institute of Management Raipur marked a significant milestone with the successful hosting of its first-ever Entrepreneurship Summit 2026, organized by the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell). The summit, themed UDGAM (उद्गम) — The Making of a Self-Reliant Superpower, celebrated the spirit of innovation, enterprise, and nation-building aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The event commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, symbolizing the spirit of knowledge and new beginnings. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Chief Guest Himanshu Joshi, Programme Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, along with Prof. Sanjeev Prashar, Director In-Charge, IIM Raipur; Prof. Satyasiba Das, Dean – External Relations, IIM Raipur and Dr. Varsha Mamidi, Chairperson – Entrepreneurship, IIM Raipur.

The event commenced with the Chief Guest address by Himanshu Joshi, Programme Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. Reflecting on the theme UDGAM — The Making of a Self-Reliant Superpower, he remarked, “Consulting is like entrepreneurship, you still take decisions, but the money is paid by the client,” emphasizing that entrepreneurship is fundamentally about ownership of decisions under uncertainty. He highlighted that while government support exists, structured funding and accountability are critical in building a strong startup ecosystem. Sharing examples of AI-driven agricultural solutions in Lakshadweep and circular economy startups refining products through grassroots innovation, he underscored how Indian entrepreneurs are leveraging technology, policy support, and resourcefulness to create scalable, impact-driven solutions. He concluded by encouraging students to embrace innovation with courage, adaptability, and a nation-building mindset.

The Guest of Honour, Amit Mishra, Founder & CEO of Dazeinfo, shared candid reflections from his entrepreneurial journey, from building and bootstrapping his first venture to working across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa before launching his second startup. Addressing students, he emphasized that “entrepreneurship is a game of perception,” urging them to focus not just on textbook case studies from decades ago but on real, nearby problems shaping the last 5–10 years. He noted that many aspiring founders struggle not due to lack of knowledge, but because they fail to identify and deeply understand problems around them. Highlighting that perception cannot be built overnight, he advised students to “start digging the well before you feel thirsty,” stressing long-term preparation and awareness. Speaking on leadership and scaling, he added that the real challenge is not merely hiring top talent, but nurturing and retaining it, as strong human capital must be developed, not just acquired.

The first panel discussion began on the theme “The Entrepreneurial Mindset -  When, Why, and how to Begin”, moderated by Ms. Priyanka Gwalani, and featured Amit Mishra, Himanshu Joshi, and Sarah Samuel. Setting the context, the moderator noted that entrepreneurship is often glamorized as starting with an idea, but in reality, “it begins much before that, with curiosity, frustration, or the refusal to settle.” Himanshu Joshi emphasized that the journey of entrepreneurship starts long before launching a startup, often at the school level, sharing that “it takes ₹50,000 to become a founder, but it takes 3–4 years to truly become one.” He cautioned students against chasing the glamour of startups, adding, “Startup is the most difficult thing to do, you have to slog like anything,” and stressed the importance of testing the MVP of entrepreneurship within oneself before building a product.

Sarah Samuel brought in the perspective of intrapreneurship, highlighting that entrepreneurship is not limited to founding ventures but also about ownership within organizations. She remarked, “The best time to start is today,” encouraging students to embrace mistakes as part of growth and to know when to pivot. Amit Mishra reinforced that “entrepreneurship is a game of perception,” urging students to focus on solving real, nearby problems rather than relying solely on outdated case studies. He further emphasized that founders must nurture talent and convincingly align teams with their vision, underscoring that building people is as important as building products.

The second panel discussion was on the theme “Building in India: Challenging Incubments and Navigating the System”, moderated by Prof. Satyasiba Das.The panel featured Naveen Chauhan, CEO, Sparecare; Srinivas Rao Mahankali, Adjunct faculty, IIM Raipur and Akash Agrawalla, Co-founder, Zoff who collectively emphasized that entrepreneurship is a long, evolving journey rooted in courage, self-awareness, and value creation. Reflecting on how much India’s business landscape has transformed, Shri Srinivas Rao Mahankali shared early struggles with access to capital and described himself as an “accidental entrepreneur,” stressing that building a B2B venture requires patience and the willingness to figure things out independently. He underscored that experience comes from navigating real challenges, not just formal education.

Akash Agrawalla highlighted that “you need to know the purpose behind what you are doing,” calling entrepreneurship a journey driven by passion rather than quick success. He noted, “my first strategy does not exist today,” reinforcing the need for adaptability and resilience. Naveen Chauhan added that true wealth is created by building something of one’s own, not merely through salaried roles. He outlined three key pillars, “know yourself,” understand your competition or collaborators, and deeply understand your customer, emphasizing that India’s diverse market demands local insight, patience, and a hands-on approach: “You have to be willing to get your hands dirty.” Together, the panel reinforced that entrepreneurship is about sustained learning, solving real problems, and earning trust over time.

The valedictory session was addressed by Dr. Varsha Mamidi, Chairperson – Entrepreneurship, IIM Raipur, who reflected on the key insights shared throughout the discussions and encouraged students to translate inspiration into action. She emphasized the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset rooted in curiosity, resilience, and continuous learning.