Mysuru: Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) organized the Annual Event – Startup Charcha on February 25, 2022, in virtual mode. Startup Charcha is a major one among various entrepreneurship activities undertaken by Swayam – E cell of SDMIMD students and is in line with the current focus and thrust on startups with a conducive policy environment. SDMIMD’s E-cell had initiated entrepreneurship activities such as Cerebra, E-quest, etc., to give conceptual insights to students on Entrepreneurship. The E-cell of SDMIMD students has undertaken many activities since 2013. Many alumni of SDMIMD have also established successful startups.
The Startup Charcha event held for the eighth year in succession had a Panel Discussion on Entrepreneurship: Dimensions, Emerging Issues, and Way Forward. The discussion was moderated by Dr M R Suresh, Professor-Marketing and Faculty Coordinator of E-Cell at SDMIMD. The Distinguished Panellists were Rajesh G, an alumnus of SDMIMD, Founder- Highway Delite; Rajeev Koyal, an alumnus of SDMIMD, Founder-Avurtana Learning and currently Regional Head, Karnataka, NASSCOM 10000 startups; Subrahmanya Rao, an alumnus of SDMIMD, Founder- Discover Dollar, Smitha Bopanna, SDMIMD Alumna and Co-Founder- Noesis Software Pvt Ltd and Dr Riyaz Ahmed, Faculty Member- Finance Area, SDMIMD.
In the opening address to the audience, Dr N R Parasuraman, Director, SDMIMD, highlighted that entrepreneurship development activities in SDMIMD were in keeping with the global trends in management education and the importance of understanding Startup issues by students at business schools.
Dr M R Suresh, Professor – Marketing and Faculty Coordinator of E-cell at SDMIMD, who moderated the panel discussion, indicated that the focus of entrepreneurship activities at SDMIMD has been on creating awareness, development of entrepreneurship skills among students, providing conceptual insights on different categories of entrepreneurship and learning on entrepreneurship need not be only in the classroom but also through fora such as panel discussions with experts. As the moderator, he raised questions about the link between startups and employment growth. The distinguished panellists expressed that it would be difficult for corporate firms to generate jobs to accommodate all the students graduating from academic institutions.
The panellists opined that funding support was more readily available than in the past for good ideas. In addition, the panellists stated that the time was ripe for young MBAs to take the plunge. Initially, it might be a challenge, but help was forthcoming from mentors who often went out of the way to guide young entrepreneurs. In addition to raising funds, putting together an initial team, and scaling up were challenges. A pragmatic approach was needed in this regard and might even involve initial employees as co-founders. Many women were also establishing startups, but passion to pursue an idea was necessary irrespective of gender. More than an adventure taking calculated risks was required; they added that it was also important to have prudent financial management practices, particularly while raising funds and managing capital.
The distinguished panellists were emphatic that establishing startups was very favourable, with enormous opportunities opening and the emergence of a very conducive Startup ecosystem in India.
Earlier, Dr M V Sunil, Head – Academic Administration, welcomed the gathering and acknowledged the support provided by Niranjan Naik. President- SDMIMD Alumni Association for the event.
Dr Saibaba, Faculty Member-SDMIMD, proposed the vote of thanks.
