Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) - Participation in Seminar on Startups

January 16, 2025

Report

On 16th November 2024, staff and students from Besant Women’s College attended the seminar Enabling Startups: Roles of Industry, Academia, and Government organized by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru. The seminar, held at the KCCI Meeting Hall, focused on fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government to empower startups and promote innovation.

Participants from Besant Women’s College:

Staff Attendees:

  • Ms. Vidya Bhat
  • Ms. Shaila Kamath
  • Ms. Nayana Suvarna

Students:

14 students from Second B.Com

The event featured distinguished speakers such as Ms. Poyni Bhatt, Former CEO and Founding Member of SINE, IIT Bombay, and Shri Rohit Bhat, Founder of wrkwrk/99Games/Robosoft, who shared their expertise on enabling startup ecosystems, the importance of industry-academia partnerships, and the role of the government in fostering innovation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leveraging startups for industry growth.
  • Successful academia-industry collaborations.
  • Government’s role in startup ecosystems and innovation for economic development.
  • Success stories of startups in tier 2 and tier 3 regions.

Objectives and Academic Benefits for Besant Women’s College Staff:

  1. Exposure to Industry-Academia Collaboration:

The seminar provided valuable insights into how academia and industry can collaborate to create a more dynamic learning environment, enriching curriculum development and providing students with industry-relevant knowledge

2. Understanding Startup Ecosystems and Innovation:

Faculty gained a deeper understanding of how startups contribute to economic growth and innovation, which can be integrated into the curriculum and academic projects to inspire entrepreneurial thinking among students.

3. Enhanced Mentorship and Career Guidance:

With knowledge of current trends in the startup ecosystem, faculty can offer better guidance and mentorship to students, especially those interested in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures or careers in the startup world.

4. Networking and Collaboration Opportunities:

The seminar allowed faculty to connect with industry leaders, potentially leading to collaborations in research, internships, and industry-academia projects that would benefit students and faculty alike.

Objectives and Academic Benefits for Besant Women’s College Students:

  1. Exposure to Startup Ecosystems:

Students gained insights into the challenges and opportunities in the startup world, sparking creativity and inspiring them to explore entrepreneurial ventures.

2. Career Opportunities in Startups:

The seminar introduced students to potential career paths within startups, aligning their academic goals with industry needs and current trends in innovation.

3. Inspiration for Entrepreneurship:

Students were inspired by success stories of startups, learning how industry and government play key roles in supporting new ventures, motivating them to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option.

4. Practical Knowledge for Academic Growth:

The insights gained will help students apply real-world knowledge to academic projects, internships, and potential startup ideas, enhancing their skills and academic development.

Conclusion:

The seminar Enabling Startups: Roles of Industry, Academia, and Government organized by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) was a valuable learning experience for both staff and students of Besant Women’s College. The event not only offered exposure to the current trends in the startup ecosystem but also emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and government to drive innovation and economic development. By attending this seminar, faculty gained insights that will help them integrate industry-relevant content into the curriculum, while students were inspired to explore entrepreneurial opportunities and better align their academic goals with industry needs. The knowledge gained from this event is expected to have a lasting impact on the college’s academic programs, fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement among both staff and students.