The third day of the Young Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp (YEB) 2025 at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, was a blend of inspiring talks, insightful discussions, and exciting networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs, students, and budding innovators came together to dive deep into the world of business, failure, sustainability, and the drive to make meaningful change.
Here’s a detailed look at the exciting sessions that took place on January 8, 2025:
Morning Session: Setting the Stage for Innovation
The day kicked off with a hearty breakfast at 8:00 AM at the Dining Hall 1, where participants gathered to energize themselves before diving into a series of thought-provoking sessions.
Talk 10: Success Stories of Student Innovators – Dr. Viswanadham Duppatla took the stage, sharing his experiences and the stories of student innovators who had successfully transformed their ideas into real-world solutions. He engaged the audience with an interesting question: "Why do farmers use more pesticides?" He highlighted that urban consumers expect spotless fruit, driving farmers to use more chemicals. He also discussed innovations like moving solar panels, which can produce 30% more solar energy, pushing the boundaries of what we know in sustainable agriculture and energy.
Talk 11: In The Face of Failure – Mr. Aditya Chirravuri shared his personal journey as a social entrepreneur and the lessons he learned along the way. His talk resonated with many as he asked the audience, "How many of you have failed recently?" As hands sprang up around the room, he spoke about how failure is not the end but rather an integral part of the exploration journey in entrepreneurship. His candid reflections on his own failures inspired attendees to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities.
Talk 12: Achieving Sustainability Beyond the Horizon We See – Ms. Kanan Panchal, a Ph.D. scholar at BITS, captivated the audience with her unique journey. She spoke about her academic background and how it led her to found a startup with her Ph.D. supervisor. Balancing academia and entrepreneurship, she shared her roadmap for success and set an interesting challenge for the attendees: “By the time you leave this conference, add 130 new contacts to your list!” Her message emphasized the importance of networking and building connections.
Talk 13: Planting the Seeds of Change – How Lemnago Came to Life – Mr. Nayshreyash Umrao provided a fascinating look into his entrepreneurial journey with Lemnago. He discussed how selling to the Indian market involves overcoming challenges, such as the resistance to protein bars among consumers. He highlighted the power of word-of-mouth marketing and how understanding the Indian consumer’s preferences can drive success.
Talk 14: Anish Ahuja and Soham Mehta, students from BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus and co-founders of the fashion startup Aphrelle, are collaborating with YEB (Youth for Environmental Balance) to create sustainable merchandise. Their partnership focuses on blending fashion with eco-conscious values, aiming to produce environmentally friendly and stylish products that reflect the importance of sustainability. Aphrelle's expertise in the fashion industry, combined with YEB's commitment to environmental causes, creates an innovative approach to merchandise that promotes sustainability and conscious consumerism. This initiative not only supports eco-friendly practices but also empowers consumers to make responsible choices in fashion.
Each session was followed by interactive Q&A rounds, where participants had the chance to ask questions, share their thoughts, and network with the speakers.
Networking and High Tea
After a series of engaging talks, participants took a short break for high tea and networking. This informal setting allowed students to connect with the speakers, fellow attendees, and mentors, fostering an environment for collaborative learning and potential partnerships.
Afternoon: Surprise Apparel Showcase
The evening brought a delightful surprise: Aphrelle Apparel, an entrepreneurial venture founded by BITS undergraduates, designed the kits that were distributed to the YEB participants. This gesture served as a great reminder of the creativity and talent flourishing within the BITS community.
Afternoon: Educational Tour to Rashtrapati Nilayam
In the afternoon, participants were taken on an educational tour to Rashtrapati Nilayam, the official retreat of the President of India. This excursion gave attendees a chance to learn about the significance of the location and its role in Indian governance, offering a brief but enriching break from the intense intellectual discussions of the morning.
Dinner and Day’s End
The day ended with a well-deserved dinner at the Auditorium Foyer. Participants wrapped up the day's activities and prepared to head to their respective hostels.
Key Takeaways:
Day 3 of YEB 2025 was a testament to the power of failure, resilience, sustainability, and innovation in entrepreneurship. From Dr. Duppatla’s insights into agricultural innovation to Mr. Chirravuri’s empowering message about failure being a stepping stone, and from Ms. Panchal’s sustainability vision to Mr. Umrao’s tale of overcoming market resistance, the sessions were packed with practical wisdom.
Moreover, the surprise involvement of Aphrelle Apparel showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of BITS students, making this day both inspirational and celebratory. Participants left the sessions not just with new knowledge but with a renewed sense of purpose and a network of potential collaborators for the future.
We’re eagerly looking forward to the final day of YEB 2025!
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