Bharat Institute for Skill Development (BISD) can play a key role in fostering entrepreneurship,
particularly by engaging with student communities and colleges/universities. The following steps can be
taken to accelerate startup formation and ramp up execution:
1. Building Awareness and Creating Interest
Seminars and Workshops: BISD can organize seminars and workshops on entrepreneurship,
innovation, and startup ecosystems for students across various campuses. These events can introduce
students to the concept of startups, the process of building one, and the various challenges and
opportunities in the entrepreneurial journey.
Topics to Cover: Understanding the startup lifecycle, idea validation, funding sources, building
teams, and creating a viable business model.
Success Stories: Showcase successful entrepreneurs, particularly those from BISD’s network or
alumni, to inspire students. This can be done through guest lectures, webinars, or panel discussions.
Introduction to the EV and IoT Industry: Given BISD’s expertise in these domains, conducting sessions
on emerging technologies like Electric Vehicles (EV) and the Internet of Things (IoT) can spark interest in
students to form startups in these areas.
2. Identifying and Nurturing Entrepreneurial Talent
Talent Identification: BISD can collaborate with colleges and universities to identify students who
show potential for entrepreneurship. This can be done through entrepreneurship clubs, startup
competitions, or hackathons.
Incubation Programs: BISD can set up incubation centers in collaboration with academic institutions,
providing students with resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, office space, and
initial funding to launch their ventures. This can be a physical or virtual incubator where students get
hands-on experience in building and scaling startups.
Entrepreneurial Training Programs: Develop specialized training programs in various aspects of
entrepreneurship such as product development, business operations, and marketing. Offering
certifications or courses in partnership with universities can further validate students' skills and provide
them with a structured learning path.
3. Collaborating with Colleges and Universities
Partnering with Academic Institutions: Collaborate with colleges and universities to offer specialized
programs or modules that encourage students to think about startup creation. This could be in the form
of electives, workshops, or even full-time courses on entrepreneurship.
Curriculum Integration: Incorporate entrepreneurship content into existing academic curriculums
(e.g., entrepreneurship-focused electives for engineering, management, or technology students).
Providing Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Connect students with industry experts,
entrepreneurs, and potential investors through mentorship programs, career fairs, or startup
networking events. Building strong networks is crucial for students to gain the right connections early on
in their entrepreneurial journey.
4. Idea Generation and Validation
Hackathons & Idea Competitions: Organize hackathons and startup idea competitions in
collaboration with universities. These events could focus on solving real-world problems and help
students ideate and validate their startup concepts.
Mentored Business Development: Provide students with the opportunity to work on their startup
ideas with mentors guiding them through the process of market research, identifying target customers,
and validating their products.
Pitching Sessions: Hold regular pitch events where students present their startup ideas to a panel of
experts, investors, and potential partners. This could help students gain confidence in presenting their
ideas and also provide feedback on how to improve and refine their business concepts.
5. Providing Financial Support and Access to Funding
Seed Funding and Grants: Partner with venture capitalists, angel investors, or government-backed
funding programs to provide seed funding and grants to student-led startups. BISD can act as an
intermediary to connect startups with investors.
Crowdfunding Guidance: Educate students on alternative funding sources like crowdfunding
platforms, where they can raise capital to turn their ideas into reality.
Partnerships with Financial Institutions: Establish partnerships with banks and financial institutions to
help students secure loans or other forms of financial assistance with minimal collateral or paperwork.
6. Building a Supportive Ecosystem
Startup Ecosystem Development: Create a startup-friendly ecosystem by facilitating student startups
with necessary infrastructure such as office spaces, lab facilities, and business management tools. This
could include providing access to tools for product development (e.g., prototyping labs, IoT
hardware/software tools, etc.).
Alumni Support Network: Develop an alumni network of successful entrepreneurs and professionals
who can provide ongoing support, mentorship, and advice to current students.
Legal and Regulatory Support: Help students navigate the legal and regulatory frameworks for
starting a business, including company registration, intellectual property rights, and tax considerations.
Offering legal consulting services or workshops can be extremely valuable for first-time entrepreneurs.
7. Execution and Scaling
Startup Acceleration: Once startups are formed, BISD can offer acceleration programs that focus on
scaling up operations. These programs could include advanced workshops on marketing, financial
management, operational efficiency, and global business expansion.
Internship Opportunities and Industry Collaboration: Connect student startups with industry partners
for internships, pilot programs, or collaborations. This can help students gain practical experience and
build relationships with industry players.
Product Launch Support: Provide guidance on launching products, marketing strategies, and go-to-
market execution. This can include assistance with creating marketing campaigns, branding, and digital
marketing.
8. Promoting Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Sustainability-Focused Startups: Encourage students to create startups that address social,
environmental, or sustainability challenges. BISD can guide students to align their startup ideas with
social good and sustainability, particularly with emerging sectors like clean energy (EVs) and IoT-driven
solutions.
CSR Programs: Integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into the startup development process,
ensuring that the startups BISD helps create focus not just on profit, but also on social value and long-
term sustainability.
9. Monitoring Progress and Continuous Improvement
Startup Evaluation and Feedback: Create a framework for continuous evaluation where startups can
receive regular feedback on their progress. This feedback loop should come from mentors, peers, and
industry professionals.
Regular Meetups and Learning Sessions: BISD can organize regular meetups for students to exchange
ideas, present their progress, and learn from each other. This can foster a strong startup community and
promote peer learning.
Tracking Impact: Regularly assess the impact of BISD’s entrepreneurial initiatives on student startups,
including the number of startups formed, successful funding rounds, product launches, and market
penetration.
