Igniting Ashoka’s Entrepreneurial Spirit with Startup Ashoka & Entrepreneurship Haat 2024

On September 27th and 28th, the Info Edge Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship club organized “Startup Ashoka,” a two-day entrepreneurial extravaganza, with the sponsorship of The Arc and Bauli. The event brought together students with a shared vision of turning innovative ideas into impactful startups. Over the course of 48 hours, students pitched, ideated, and refined their business concepts with the guidance of seasoned mentors, culminating in a final presentation that showcased their entrepreneurial prowess.

The event kicked off on the morning of the 27th with the Entrepreneurship Haat, a bustling marketplace where 20 Ashokan Entrepreneurs showcased and sold items they had produced over the 2 days. This segment not only highlighted the creative talents of the students but also set a vibrant tone for the two-day event. Later in the evening Startup Ashoka, which had attracted 140 students-participants, would kick off.

In the evening, participants and mentors gathered in the Admin Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH). These mentors, industry professionals with extensive experience, were instrumental in guiding the students through the rigorous ideation and pitching process. The opening session began with the Keynote Speech by Dilnawaz Khan (Founder, Codesign Labs & Power Deck), setting the stage for students to make spontaneous pitches and present their startup ideas. Following these initial pitches, participants grouped themselves into teams based on their interests and ideas, forming a total of 26 teams that would work together throughout the night.

The mentors’ role went beyond traditional advice; they actively collaborated with each team, helping students refine and hone their ideas, preparing them for the final pitch the next day. Following this session, participants and the mentors were treated to a biryani dinner sponsored by “The Paul’s Biryani,” a cloud kitchen startup founded by Sudhakar Paul. Known for winning the “Debutant Cloud Kitchen of the Year” award in 2024. Paul’s Biryani brought a delicious and well-earned dinner break, which recharged participants for the intense night ahead. After an hour of coaching, the mentors were felicitated for their dedication and invaluable contributions to the students’ journeys.

The participants, relying on Red Bull cans, Bauli’s croissants & Maggi, delved into an intense overnight ideation session. From brainstorming unique selling points to finalizing financial models, participants worked tirelessly until dawn, determined to craft a winning pitch. This all-night preparation became a test of endurance, teamwork, and dedication, with teams wrapping up around 5am for a brief rest.

Subsequently, participants returned for the second day at 11am, to be energized by a Panel Discussion featuring the jury of the competition: Rajive Gulati (Former Head: United Nations Technology Innovations Lab), Dr. Divya Rajput (CEO – JSS STEP), Ayush Singhal (Founder & CEO, Codemate.ai), and Aditi Shrivastava (Co-Founder, The Arc). These experts shared their insights into the startup ecosystem, offering students valuable perspectives on innovation, resilience, and the road to successful entrepreneurship.

Out of the 26 initial teams, only the top 12 qualified for the final round, where they got to pitch to the panel of judges. Each team’s pitch was scrutinized on various parameters, including originality, feasibility, and potential impact. The judging panel was impressed by the passion and creativity displayed by the participants, making the decision challenging.

After an intense round of pitches, the results were finally announced. “Curable” emerged as the first-place winner, securing a grant worth ₹20,000. Curable’s innovative platform connects individuals from high-cost healthcare regions to affordable, quality medical services in India, addressing the critical issue of exorbitant healthcare expenses. The second-place position went to “Rentique,” awarded ₹15,000. Rentique offers premium, eco-friendly fashion rentals enhanced with AI-driven personalization, allowing users to access sustainable and stylish clothing tailored to their preferences. “Lovsy” claimed third place with a grant of ₹10,000, presenting artisanal Nepali Hog Plum candies that combine traditional flavors with modern confectionery techniques.

In addition to these top honors, a special “People’s Choice Award” was determined by audience votes. This category resulted in a tie between “Orvilla” and “Immerse,” each receiving ₹5,000 in grant money as a recognition of their popularity and potential. Orvilla offers luxury liquor-infused chocolates, merging the indulgence of fine chocolates with the sophistication of premium liquors, catering to discerning palates. Immerse, on the other hand, provides immersive and interactive experiences for urban dwellers and social explorers, creating unique environments that foster community and engagement.

The event concluded with the felicitation of the honorary judges and a final speech by Prabal Agarwal, the President of the Entrepreneurship Club. Prabal expressed his gratitude to all mentors, judges, participants, and sponsors who contributed to making “Startup Ashoka” a memorable success. He emphasized the importance of fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, noting that events like these are essential stepping stones for aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Startup Ashoka” was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and resilience. As participants left the venue, they carried with them not only prize money but valuable experiences and lessons that would undoubtedly shape their future endeavors. The event underscored Ashoka University’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and changemakers, inspiring all who participated to continue pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.

Author: Yash Todi (yash.todi_ug2024@ashoka.edu.in), a Member of the Entrepreneurship Club