SRI SRI UNIVERSITY

The SSUInnovation Foundation, the incubation centre of Sri Sri University, hosted a dynamic Boot Camp (Innovation Sprint) on February 3rd, 2024, igniting the entrepreneurial spirit of aspiring individuals across Odisha. Attracting both higher education students and school children, the event held at Shruti Ground Floor nurtured their dreams of venturing into the business world.

Four inspiring female entrepreneurs graced the occasion, sharing their journeys and igniting passion in the young audience. Ms. Lopamudra Pradhan (Natural Salon), Ms. Suchita Ota (Welloholics Clinic), Ms. Nupur Chapolia (Skyway Event Management), and Ms. Namrita Chahal (Asha Wellness & Franchise Tumble Drycleaners) offered invaluable insights gleaned from their diverse experiences, empowering attendees with knowledge on navigating the startup landscape.

Beyond individual success stories, the Boot Camp highlighted a remarkable achievement by SSUInnovation Foundation: organizing startup boot camps in 32 schools across Odisha. This initiative is actively sowing the seeds of entrepreneurial thinking in young minds, fostering a future generation of innovators.

Event Highlights:

• Chitranshi Baranwal, co-founder of Genie Pads, warmly welcomed the guests.
• Eminent personalities shaped the discourse:
  • Barada Prasad Panigrahy, CEO of SSUInnovation Foundation, delivered a welcome address.
  • Swami Satyachaitanya Ji, Director-Operations of Sri Sri University, offered his perspective.
  • (Dr.) B. R. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Sri Sri University, shared his vision.
  • Rashmi Ranjan Sahu, Senior Mission Associate for Incubation & Partnership at Startup Odisha, presented crucial information on financial assistance.
  • Ambika Prasad Nanda, Head of CSR at Tata Steel, Odisha, and other distinguished guests like Dr. Shakuntala Pratihary, Mrs. Poonam Mohapatra, Mrs. Saikrishna Mohanty, and Ms. Chitranshi Baranwal interacted and inspired the aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Students had the unique opportunity to engage with successful entrepreneurs, particularly the FLO Successful Entrepreneurs group.

Financial Support:

The Boot Camp provided valuable information on financial support available through Startup Odisha, including:

• Grants ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹22,000 for individuals/categories.
• Product development grants of up to ₹15 lakh.
• Marketing expense support for existing products.
• Need-based special grants.
• Unlimited funding for research-based innovative products.

SSU Innovation Support:

Furthermore, SSU Innovation offers a 50% subsidized fee structure, making their incubation services more accessible.

Impact and Significance:

This Boot Camp wasn’t just an event; it was a vibrant platform igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in Odisha’s youth. By connecting aspiring individuals with established thought leaders and providing access to valuable resources, SSUInnovation Foundation is creating a thriving ecosystem for future business ventures. The spirit of innovation and the power of dreams were palpable, leaving a lasting impact on all participants.