EDII allows 30 startups to pitch ideas to 15 investors at annual summit ‘Empresario’

Ahmedabad, Jan 16 (KNN) The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), included a Big Pitch Event for its annual entrepreneurship festival— Empresario where over 30 startups pitched their products and services to a panel of 15 investors with an aim to garner funding.

The event was inaugurated on Monday by Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State for Home, Industries, Cultural Activities (State Minister); Sports, Youth Service (Independent Charge), Government of Gujarat.

The two-day festival includes master classes by industry veterans, talks by successful startup founders, workshops, discussions and startup awards.

Other dignitaries at the inauguration included Rajiv Gandhi, Co-Chair, FICCI, Gujarat State Council and Prof. Deepak Kumar Pandey, Assistant Director, Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttarakhand.

The theme for this year’s celebration is entrepreneurship and sustainability. Notably, startups featured in the popular reality show ‘Shark Tank India’ also participated in the two-day event.

In his inaugural address, MoS Sanghvi, said, “Gujarat is on the road to being one of the most progressive startup destinations in the country through a merger of proactive policies, strong institutional setup, and dynamic participation of the private sector.”

“The ‘Stand Up India’ and’ Start Up India’ Schemes were launched in 2016 and since then, more than 80,000 startups have been registered and about 100 unicorns have come into being. It is heartening to note that more than 48 per cent startups are by females.”

Speaking about Empresario, Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, said, “Since its inception in 2012, Empresario has witnessed participation from over 1,000 startups. There is idea generation, opportunity creation and exceptional learning at this event.”

He announced that the EDII’s Technology Business Incubator – the Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises (CrAdLE), has incubated 106 startups so far, that have raised over Rs 30 crore in funding.

Talking about a recent development, he said, “EDII will now have another incubation centre sanctioned by the NITI Aayog under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). EDII is also associated with CSR projects of several corporates directed at raising the numbers of entrepreneurial ventures and startups in the country.”

The event also witnessed The Startup Award 2023, in which 4 startups were selected for awards out of 28 nominations.  (KNN Bureau)