Mysore/Mysuru: Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDM-IMD) had organised the Annual Event – Startup Charcha on a virtual mode recently.

Startup Charcha is a major one among various entrepreneurship activities undertaken by Swayam – E cell of SDM-IMD students and is in line with the current focus and thrust on Startups with a conducive policy environment.

SDM-IMD’s E-cell had initiated entrepreneurship activities such as Cerebra, E-quest, etc., to give conceptual insights to students on Entrepreneurship. The E-cell of SDM-IMD students has undertaken many activities since 2013. Many alumni of SDM-IMD have also established successful startups.

The Startup Charcha event held for the eighth year had a Panel Discussion on Entrepreneurship: Dimensions, Emerging Issues, and Way Forward. The Panellists were G. Rajesh, an alumnus of SDM-IMD, Founder-Highway Delite;  Rajeev Koyal, an alumnus of SDM-IMD, Founder-Avurtana Learning and currently Regional Head, Karnataka, NASSCOM 10000 startups;  Subrahmanya Rao, an alumnus of SDM-IMD, Founder- Discover Dollar,  Smitha Bopanna, SDM-IMD Alumna                                                                   and Co-Founder- Noesys Software Pvt Ltd and Dr. Riyaz Ahmed, Faculty Member- Finance Area, SDM-IMD.

Dr. N.R. Parasuraman, Director, SDM-IMD, highlighted that entrepreneurship development activities in SDM-IMD were in keeping with the global trends in management education and the importance of understanding Startup issues by students at business schools.

Dr. M.R. Suresh, Professor – Marketing and Faculty Coordinator of E-cell at SDM-IMD, who moderated the panel discussion, indicated that the focus of entrepreneurship activities at SDM-IMD has been on creating awareness, development of entrepreneurship skills among students, providing conceptual insights on different categories of entrepreneurship and learning on entrepreneurship need not be only in the classroom but also through fora such as panel discussions with experts.

 The distinguished panellists expressed that it would be difficult for corporate firms to generate jobs to accommodate all the students graduating from academic institutions.

The panellists opined that funding support was more readily available than in the past for good ideas. In addition, the panellists stated that the time was ripe for young MBAs to take the plunge. Initially, it might be a challenge, but help was forthcoming from mentors who often went out of the way to guide young entrepreneurs.

Many women were also establishing Startups, but passion to pursue an idea was necessary irrespective of gender. More than an adventure taking calculated risks was required, they said and added that it was also important to have prudent financial management practices, particularly while raising funds and managing capital.

Earlier, M.V. Sunil, Head – Academic Administration, welcomed and acknowledged the support provided by Niranjan Naik, President, SDM-IMD Alumni Association, for the event.