In a significant step toward promoting student entrepreneurship, IIT Madras held its inaugural ‘Nirmaan Demo Day 2024’ on September 27, 2024. The event showcased innovations from 30 startups nurtured by Nirmaan, India’s first campus-based pre-incubator, designed to transform students' ideas into viable business ventures.
The Demo Day, which is set to become an annual event, saw participation from investors, industry experts, and the IIT Madras community. The pre-incubator’s graduates have already achieved notable success, with 26 startups reaching a combined valuation of ₹ 1,000 crore.
Empowering Future Entrepreneurs
The Nirmaan initiative, which operates in collaboration with the IIT Madras Incubation Cell, offers early-stage support to student-led startups across sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), health technology, deep tech, and sustainability. By providing a nurturing environment, mentorship, and strategic guidance, Nirmaan empowers students to move from concept to market-ready solutions.
During the Demo Day, Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, inaugurated the event, underscoring the institution's commitment to fostering innovation.
Student Startups Making Waves
The startups showcased on Demo Day were part of two structured programs at Nirmaan: the Pratham market discovery phase and the Akshar pre-incubation phase. This year, 85 student teams participated across various cohorts, demonstrating the program's scale and impact.
Several of the startups have already made significant strides, with ventures like Urban Matrix, Modulus Housing, Tan90, and Melvano gaining recognition. The presence of leading industry figures, such as Dr Srikanth Sundararajan, General Partner at VenturEast, and Mr Navratan Katariya from NASSCOM Centre of Excellence for AI & IoT, highlighted the event's importance in connecting young innovators with potential investors and collaborators.
A Unique Platform for Innovation
Nirmaan is unique in offering comprehensive support to aspiring entrepreneurs. Students start with the eight-week Pratham workshop, where they are introduced to business-building fundamentals, including market research and prototype development. Successful teams then move on to the Akshar program, where they receive additional funding and mentorship to bring their products to market.
The importance of such initiatives was echoed by Professor Prabhu Rajagopal, Advisor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIT Madras.
The Nirmaan Demo Day 2024 provided a valuable opportunity for students to demonstrate their ideas and engage with key industry stakeholders. As the first event of its kind, it sets the stage for future collaborations and a new generation of student entrepreneurs who will continue to shape India’s innovation landscape.
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