The Entrepreneurship Development Cell (ED Cell) at SiliconTech, the engineering institute of Silicon University, organized ‘Sparkup Summit’, the annual Entrepreneur’s Fest from 29 November – 1 December 2024.
The summit aimed to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and drive innovation by inspiring students and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore groundbreaking ideas and embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. It also sought to foster networking and collaboration by bringing together students, startups, and industry professionals on a common platform to exchange ideas and forge meaningful connections.
The Sparkup Summit commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting. This was followed by an inspiring welcome address from Dr. Jaideep Talukdar, our Vice-Chancellor, who emphasized the institution’s unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurial mindsets. Dr. Mahendra Prasad Agasty, President of the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) and Faculty-In-Charge of the ED Cell underscored the importance of equipping young innovators with the skills and resources needed to excel in the competitive startup ecosystem. The keynote address, delivered by Mr. Sandeep Jain, Founder & CEO of GeeksforGeeks, captivated the audience as he shared his entrepreneurial journey, offering valuable lessons on innovation, resilience, and adaptability in the tech industry. Adding to the event’s significance, the Chief Guest, Mr. Prasant Hota, President of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., highlighted the critical role of sustainable practices and ethical leadership in building successful businesses.
A key highlight of the event was the recognition and felicitation of three distinguished alumni entrepreneurs—Mr. Shiv Kumar Agrawal, Managing Director of Supershade Agro Textile, BrightFab Agro Industries, and Shiv Narayan Industries; Mr. Rohit Kumar Jain, Entrepreneur; and Mr. A. Surendra Nath, Director of Vaisali Dairy—for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Following the felicitation, they participated in an engaging panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Sanjay Pattnaik, Adjunct Professor at SiliconTech. During the discussion, the alumni shared their entrepreneurial journeys, offering valuable insights into navigating the startup ecosystem, overcoming challenges, and leveraging skills for innovation. Their diverse perspectives on resilience, adaptability, and emerging trends captivated the audience and sparked thought-provoking conversations. The panel inspired students to view entrepreneurship as a viable career path, while the interactive nature of the session provided practical guidance on building successful ventures.
The summit featured a series of impactful and intellectually stimulating competitions, emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. The Ideathon, held on 29 November 2024, attracted 42 teams from diverse institutions, each showcasing unique and creative ideas. On 30 November 2024, the Build-A-thon challenged 43 teams to identify pressing domain-specific problems, develop detailed Business Model Canvases (BMC), and create functional prototypes, which were presented the next day. The Start-up Pitching event on 1 December 2024 provided 17 teams with a platform to present their business ideas to a distinguished panel of investors, leading to several teams being shortlisted and recommended for funding. Adding a creative and interactive flair, the fest also included activities such as the AD-MAD SHOW and Bidding War, which saw enthusiastic participation from students across institutions, further enriching the vibrancy and success of the summit.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Shaswat Tripathi, Secretary of the ED Cell, who expressed sincere gratitude to the dignitaries, participants, and organizers for their contributions to the event’s success. The ceremony was further elevated by a captivating cultural performance, leaving a memorable impression on all attendees.
