Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 February 2025
In a significant step towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students, the Directorate of Industries, in collaboration with Higher Education Institutions, organised the Startup Pitching 2025 event at the Directorate of Industries’ Conference Hall.
The event saw participation from approximately 120 students representing various disciplines from multiple colleges. It provided a platform for students, budding entrepreneurs, and youth to pitch their innovative ideas aimed at solving real-life challenges specific to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The inauguration began with registrations, followed by a formal welcome and an overview of the program by the Nodal Officer of Startup India, Directorate of Industries. The dignitaries marked the occasion by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
Mr. Siddhartha Gupta, Regional Manager of SBI, delivered the opening address, underscoring the critical role of entrepreneurship and the support banks provide to startups in the region. This was followed by insightful remarks from Mr. Rakesh Das, Director of Industries, who shared examples of successful startups. Mr. Shanker Rao, Head of the Department at DBRAIT, emphasized the importance of identifying potential challenges that could affect the sustainability of new ventures.
The technical sessions commenced with a presentation on ‘Understanding the Basics of Pitching’ by Ms. Nazima Parveen, State Data Project Manager at SOVTECH. Following this, students from various institutions—including DBRAIT, JNRM, ITI, TGCE, and Pondicherry University—pitched their innovative ideas, logos, slogans, and promotional videos.
A total of 15 teams from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) presented startup concepts, 16 participants showcased logo designs, 13 students put forth slogans, and four participants entered the promotional video competition. The competition was intense, with participants demonstrating creative and viable solutions to pressing challenges.
Adding to the event’s impact, a promotional video showcased the inspiring journey of startups in the Union Territory. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Mohammed Ishaq, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Industries.
The Startup Pitching 2025 event was well-received, with attendees appreciating the initiative for providing students with a platform to develop and refine their entrepreneurial ideas. By equipping students with the necessary skills and exposure to the startup ecosystem, the event has laid a strong foundation for innovation-driven growth in the region.