Guwahati: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in collaboration with the BRICS Youth Council, under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Global Counter-Terrorism Council, hosted the Entrepreneurship Pre-Consultation Event on Friday.
Themed, “Empowering Northeast India – Youth Innovations for Sustainable Growth and National Connectivity”, the event was attended by over 500 participants and more than 80 startups.
This initiative provided a platform for young entrepreneurs and researchers to showcase their innovative ideas and foster collaboration in Northeast India.
Kausar Jamil Hilaly, Secretary, Dept. of Sports and Youth Welfare, graced the event as the chief guest.
Speaking during the event, Kausar Jamil Hilaly said, “The youth of Northeast India are at the forefront of innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. With Assam’s strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia, the region has a unique opportunity to become a future entrepreneurial hub. Unlike previous generations, today’s youth have access to the resources, knowledge and tools needed to turn their entrepreneurial vision into reality.”
He said, “I encourage the future entrepreneurs to embrace their ideas without the fear of judgment. The Govt. of Assam is committed to supporting startups and young business leaders through various initiatives to help them achieve their goals.”
A key highlight of the event was a mega startup exhibition curated by the IIT Guwahati-BioNest incubator and inaugurated by chief guest Kausar Jamil Hilaly.
This mega exhibition featured over 80 startups from the Northeast region, showcasing their innovations and products in domains including deep tech, healthcare, agritech, and renewable energy, among others.
Speaking during his welcome address, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, said, “India’s youth is full of creativity and the energy to innovate and entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking this potential. At IIT Guwahati, we are committed to channeling this energy towards nation-building.”
He said, “By fostering skill development and providing a platform for young and aspiring entrepreneurs from the Northeast, we aim to provide them with the required guidance and support. I encourage all participants to seize this opportunity to collaborate, and lead the region’s entrepreneurial transformation.”
Highlighting the significance of youth participation in nation-building, Rear Admiral Dr. S Kulshrestha, GCTC India, said, “Empowering the youth of Northeast India with the right skill sets and motivating them to harness their creativity, is the way forward to ensure sustainable growth.”
“Young entrepreneurs have the potential to tackle bold challenges and offer innovative solutions. By unlocking their potential, we can drive regional progress and strengthen the connections that will help in fostering economic integration and social development,” Kulshrestha said.
Deba Kumar Mishra, DC Kamrup, said, “The Entrepreneurship Pre-Consultation Event aligns perfectly with the Govt. of India’s vision of youth empowerment. As Assam is transforming into a technology and entrepreneurship hub, we are committed to supporting startups, and promoting sustainable growth through collaboration and innovation.”
Additionally, the event also hosted a panel discussion on the topic, “Navigating the Funding Landscape: Strategies for Startup Success & Sustainable Growth”, with experts from the industry and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The panelists discussed the rapidly evolving startup landscape in the county, and how different funding strategies can help in sustainable growth of startups.
The event concluded with an idea challenge pitching session in which aspiring entrepreneurs and startups pitched their ideas to potential investors.
As India proceeds towards an innovation and entrepreneurship-driven future, this event served as a driving force to empower the aspiring entrepreneurs in Northeast India to play a key role in achieving this goal.
