Budding entrepreneurs of Jharkhand can look forward to winning funds for their projects during a maiden two-day conference for eastern states at XLRI, Jamshedpur, from March 4.
Start Up Conclave East 2017, which follows the super successful Global Investors' Summit in Ranchi earlier this month, is being organised jointly by Entrepreneur Café (Jamshedpur chapter) and CII (Jamshedpur chapter) in collaboration with the entrepreneurship cell (e-cell) of XLRI and East India Growth Harbinger Trust.
Raghav Ishwar, secretary of XLRI e-Cell, told reporters on Tuesday that this would be the first such conclave in eastern India where industry captains would interact with budding entrepreneurs.
"Business today is all about how well connected you are. The conclave is a great opportunity to bring out the leaders in corporate circles and those behind domestic walls or office cubicles to a common platform. It will bring together around 200 entrepreneurs from eastern states for discussions on new ideas and even spot funding. We hope this meet will go a long way in creating an entrepreneur-rich country," Ishwar said, adding that similar conferences would be held annually.
The inauguration of the conclave is likely to see an august gathering that will include minister Raghubar Das, Tata Steel MD T.V. Narendran, Tata Motors plant head A.B. Lall and CII senior official Kilol Kamani.
"During the two days, panel discussions on the start-up ecosystem will be held. The conclave will also host an event called Shark Tank where promoters can present their investment ideas to a range of potential investors. Spot funding and awards will be on offer for innovative start-ups. The e-cell of XLRI will help them deal with managerial problems," said Amar Nath Singh of Entrepreneur Café's city chapter.
The panellists will include national marketing mentor of Rajasthan Patrika Arvind Kalia; CSR trainer of Smile Foundation Nav Kishley; head of electronics at NIT Arvind Choubey; chairman of IIT-Kharagpur e-cell P.K. Dan; state principal secretary (IT) Sunil Kumar Barnwal and state food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy.
A major partner of the event, Entrepreneur Café is one of the most diversified global entrepreneurial communities now present in 100-plus cities in six continents. Tata Steel and the state government will contribute as sponsors.
Jharkhand incidentally is among the few states in the country to launch a start-up policy in September last year. The state earmarked Rs 50 crore to encourage entrepreneurs in different sectors.
Innovation and incubation centres are also being set up at a cost of Rs 10 crore for encouraging entrepreneurs in IT, health, tourism, agriculture, biotechnology and alternative energy sectors in association with premier institutions like XLRI, IIM-Ranchi and NIT-Adityapur. An innovation lab in association with IIM-Ahmedabad is also in the offing.
