ECONOMIC TIMES-“THE POWER OF IDEAS”

The Economic Times Power of Ideas is India’s largest entrepreneurship program. Economic Times hosted the workshop in association with Jio, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) and IIM Ahmedabad.

The objective of the program was to encourage individuals with a business idea to develop their entrepreneurial dream. The startup sessions were hosted in eight cities to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the basics of starting up. The event at Delhi was organized on 19th September 2015 at Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, Lodhi Road, Delhi. Four faculty coordinators from Entrepreneurship Development Cell of Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon Ms. Pankti Brar and Mrs. Renu of CSE Department, Mrs. Sakshi Pahuja of ECE Department and Mr. Dharmendra of IT Department attended the event.

Mr. Navneet Singh, the keynote speaker started with a motivational and inspiring speech. He narrated his life story and the circumstances that led him to where he is now. According to him to be a successful entrepreneur one needs to be dedicated and have a passion of doing something of his own. The panel members emphasized that at the early stages of a business, a good team matters more than the idea. Mr. Mann, whose company counts on MobiKwik and Snapdeal as customers, said that to him entrepreneurship is a lonely journey and it’s better to have a partnership in the startup rather than being a sole proprietor. The panel also insisted that startup success is not all about raising money. Rajesh Sawhney gave the example of WhatsApp and said that the company was able to achieve and change the world with just $10 million of capital. The panel agreed with the audience that venture capital firms in India had a bias in favor of founders from top professional colleges such as the IITs and IIMs.

The workshop concluded that entrepreneurship requires one to recognize their mistakes and correct them. All the panelists agreed that one should be thoroughly convinced and confident with his/her idea before starting on with the venture. The event was very inspiring and empowering.