The workshop began with a warm welcome by Pooja from 1st MBA, followed by a prayer led by Fabiann and Nicole. The dignitaries present included Mrs. Sheryl Preethika, Head of the Department, MBA, Prof. Gerard D’Souza, Mentor, and faculty members Mr. Chaco P J, Dr. Mallika Shetty, and Mr. Roopesh.
The opening session was led by Dr. Sukanya Rao, an accomplished academic, financial services professional, and distinguished toastmaster. Drawing on her Ph.D. in Management (Behavioral Finance) from NITK Surathkal and over two decades of teaching and consulting experience, Dr. Sukanya Rao delivered a thought-provoking session on Generating Winning Startup Ideas. She discussed the importance of identifying unmet market needs, aligning entrepreneurial ideas with consumer demands, and leveraging creativity in problem-solving.
Dr. Rao highlighted the role of calculated risk-taking, adaptability, and financial planning in the startup journey. Using relatable case studies, she demonstrated how theory can be translated into actionable business strategies. Her engaging presentation encouraged students to think innovatively, spot opportunities in challenges, and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.
The Vote of Thanks for this session was delivered by Prerana from 1st MBA, who expressed gratitude for Dr. Rao’s motivating insights and practical guidance.
The second session featured Ms. Sruthi G.K, an experienced government officer and entrepreneurship promoter. With a strong academic background in Economics and a career in the Ministry of MSME after clearing the UPSC examination in 2016, Ms. Sruthi brought a wealth of knowledge on Startup Support: Government & Agencies.
She explained the various schemes, subsidies, and financial assistance programs offered by the Ministry of MSME for budding entrepreneurs. She detailed the process of availing support for skill development, vendor development, and business registration. Special emphasis was placed on opportunities for women entrepreneurs and strategies to leverage government platforms for business growth.
Her session was rich with real-world examples of successful MSME beneficiaries from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Madikeri districts, inspiring participants to take advantage of available resources. She also clarified common challenges faced by startups in regulatory compliance and offered solutions for overcoming them.
Princiline from 1st MBA delivered the Vote of Thanks, appreciating Ms. Sruthi’s practical and resourceful guidance that bridged the gap between policy awareness and entrepreneurial application.
The concluding session was presented by Dr. Smrithi N, an Occupational Therapist and social entrepreneur. As co-founder of AHANA & HER, Dr. Smrithi shared her journey of blending healthcare expertise with entrepreneurial vision to address pressing social needs.
Her talk emphasized the importance of purpose-driven innovation—creating ventures that not only generate revenue but also create meaningful social impact. She discussed strategies for identifying community needs, developing sustainable business models, and scaling impact without losing sight of the organization’s mission.
Dr. Smrithi’s personal experiences, from the ideation stage to building and running a successful venture, provided valuable lessons on resilience, adaptability, and networking. Her inspiring narrative encouraged students to think beyond profit and focus on creating solutions that contribute to societal well-being.
The Vote of Thanks for this session was delivered by Shreya Rao from 1st MBA, who commended Dr. Smrithi for her inspiring and heartfelt talk that broadened the audience’s perspective on entrepreneurship.
The workshop ended with closing remarks acknowledging the contribution of all speakers, faculty members, and students. The three sessions collectively offered a balanced mix of creative ideation, resource awareness, and socially responsible entrepreneurship. This event not only concluded the Expert Speaker Sessions on a high note but also reinforced the commitment of the Department of MBA and the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) to fostering innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial excellence among students.
