1 May 2019, Pune – Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) organized a workshop for colleges who have set up startup and innovation cells under Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Linkages. The attendees to the workshop were heads of Innovation and startup cells from about 60 colleges.
Opening of the workshop was done by Dr. Apoorva Palkar, Director, Innovation, Incubation and Linkages of SPPU. She talked on the need of creation of new order of thinking skills to be developed through the innovation cells at the colleges where students and faculties be provided a platform to develop innovative products and services. She focused on selecting appropriate teams from amongst the students during the induction to undertake this work. Dr. Palkar emphasized on planning a feasibility study to understand the needs of the industry and NGO’s in the region through consultations, focused group discussions and providing these as themes for the startup / Ideation competition at the colleges. She focused on the role of the Head of Innovation centre as a very significant one in success of this initiative. Effective networking skills and leadership skills, ability to deal with ambiguity ,engagement with industry, R&D establishments, investors and confidence in delivering results were key characteristics defined by her of such individuals.
One successful startup from each college per year was the expectation from this initiative initially. University through this initiative was providing support to affiliated colleges to develop innovation and startup cells through trainings and providing guiding framework. TiE the strategic partner to the University in the innovation centre also guided the participants on what works and what does not work in the startup ecosystem.
Varun Nigam, TiE –Head for mentorship and successful entrepreneur who has created history through successful venture of tastybyte shared insights on mentoring program that has seen more than 100 companies graduate in last three years. Mr. Kiran Deshpande, TiE President-Pune expended complete support to the startups from the colleges attached to the University through guidance and support. Mr. Advait Kurulaekar, another Charter member of TiE enlightened the gathering on nurture program initiated by TiE for startups. The program was appreciated by colleges. The program was conducted at Garware college of commerce, Pune.
