Marking the National Startup Day 2025 celebrations, Kumaraguru Institutions, in collaboration with Forge Innovation & Ventures, hosted the Udhyamotsav Investor Connect Program, recently.
The event, held under the aegis of the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MoE’s Innovation Cell) and AICTE, aimed to empower startups in academic institutions with fundraising opportunities and access to investor networks.
The event was inaugurated by Sitharaman, Chairman of AICTE, who highlighted the role of platforms like Udhyamotsav in bridging academia and industry.
“By connecting startups with investors and resources, this event fosters growth and accelerates innovations,” he remarked, while discussing AICTE’s initiatives to strengthen the startup ecosystem.
Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, emphasized innovation as the cornerstone of India’s economic progress. He urged educational institutions to foster creativity and integrate entrepreneurial education into the curriculum.
“This empowers future leaders to tackle global challenges and drive India to new heights,” he stated.
Local Inauguration at Kumaraguru Nodal Center:
The program commenced with a welcome address by Lakshmi Meera, VP & CPO of Forge Innovation & Ventures, followed by inspiring remarks of Ezhilarasi, Principal, Kumaraguru College of Technology; Yogesh Wadhawan, Senior Accounts Officer, AICTE and Joel Andrews, Innovation Fellow, AICTE.
The local session concluded with an activity schedule briefing by Aman Kumar Dubey of Kumaraguru Institutions.
Central Virtual Inauguration
The central segment of the program was inaugurated virtually, graced by distinguished speakers, including, Selvamurthy, President, Amity Science, TIF; Yogesh Brahmankar and Dipan Sahu presented the initiatives of MoE’s Innovation Cell.
In the session, Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, MoE, emphasized the need for startup ecosystems in educational institutions.
Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, highlighted the pivotal role of innovation in driving India’s economy.
The event also witnessed the central inauguration of “Udhyamotsav 2025” by Sitharam.
Investor Connect and Pitching Sessions:
The program included pitching sessions by 29 startups, representing diverse and innovative solutions, evaluated by expert panels chaired by industry leaders.
Key innovations showcased during the event include: Nazizhi Micro-Pyrolyser, a breakthrough in sustainable technology, Smart Saline Level Monitoring System, addressing healthcare challenges and 3D Printed Underwater Drone, revolutionizing maritime applications.
Sight Aid-Real Time Navigation for Visually Impaired, an assistive technology for accessibility was also included.
Each session provided startups with an opportunity to secure investments and feedback from investors, catalyzing their journey from ideation to commercialization.
The Udhyamotsav Investor Connect also featured an exclusive masterclass, “Amrit Kaal Advantage: Funding the Future of Startups,” was conducted by Hetal Sonpal, CEO of GRG Gen Nxt Incubator, providing participants with critical insights on securing funding and scaling their ventures.
The Udhyamotsav Investor Connect Program underscored Kumaraguru Institutions’ commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent and bridging academia with industry.
The event demonstrated the power of innovation and collaboration in creating a vibrant startup ecosystem.
