Media Release
Bengaluru, Oct 28: The Kanara Entrepreneurs (KE) community came alive with ideas, laughter, and a spirit of purpose as over 90 young participants gathered at Catholic Club, Bengaluru, for VisionX: Vision to Venture — a first-of-its-kind programme aimed at enabling Christian youth to explore and embrace the journey of entrepreneurship on October 26.
The half-day event began on a reflective note with a prayer lead by KE lead member Antony Saldanha, followed by an ice-breaker session that filled the hall with energy, laughter, and anticipation. What followed was a vibrant blend of inspiration, strategy, and action — a roadmap for the youth to move from dreaming to doing.
The keynote speaker, Claudius Pereira, founder & managing director – STI Infotech Pvt. Ltd, who is also past president of KE Bangalore chapter shared his journey as an entrepreneur and the life lessons that shaped him. His message, simple yet profound, resonated deeply: “Shift gears or change when you are doing well.” He challenged participants to embrace change not out of desperation but out of discipline — a hallmark of successful entrepreneurship.
Pramod D’Souza, co-founder of Eagle10 Ventures, currently serving as the president of KE Bangalore chapter, then offered a macro perspective, shedding light on the power of networking and community-driven growth. He reminded the audience that no venture thrives in isolation — success grows in circles of trust, collaboration, and mutual learning.
The highlight of the day was the Idea to Action Workshop, conducted by Leena Lobo, founder of Angelina Consultancy Services (also director - membership, KE Bangalore chapter) and KE lead member Rohit Fernandes (founder and CEO of Brands of Bharat). The group was divided into 16 teams to enable teamwork and collaboration helping them transform their ideas into mock investment pitches. Each team was guided by mentors from the KE Lead member group who helped them sharpen their propositions, define their purpose, and articulate their value. The participants not only presented their concepts but also played the role of investors, evaluating others’ pitches and placing mock investments.
The outcome reflected the depth of thinking and creativity in the room. The Gather Studio emerged as the overall winner, securing the highest mock investment, the Best Pitch, and the title for Strongest Why (shared with Chef Robinhood). MediMind shared the Best Pitch award, impressing everyone with its clarity, empathy, and innovation. The winners collectively embodied the spirit of Vision to Venture — purpose-driven ideas rooted in real-world relevance.
The session underscored a key insight: while numbers matter, purpose and pitch are what truly capture an investor’s attention. The rest, as the mentors emphasized, follows through discipline, perseverance, and the willingness to fail early, learn fast, and rise again.
In a candid and insightful conversation with the event sponsor, Sharath Mascarenhas, founder & CEO of MishMash Finserve LLP and Jyoti Menezes, founder & director, Thrive with Jyoti LLP discussed financial planning for entrepreneurs. Sharath’s mantra — to approach business growth with clarity, prudence, and long-term vision — reflected his genuine desire to guide the youth toward sustainable success.
The session concluded with an introduction to KE Gen Now by Elton D’Souza, who shared about their interactive meets held every two months — an exclusive platform for KE members under 40 to network, exchange ideas, and collaborate on their entrepreneurial journeys. His message reflected KE’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through continuous engagement and peer learning. Eugene Mathias, director, Firefly spaces and also director - marketing & sponsorship, KE Bangalore chapter thanked the organizing committee, FKCA, affiliated associations, sponsors, speakers, mentors and lead members who were instrumental to make it a grand success.
The event concluded with team photos, laughter, and a networking lunch where ideas continued to flow across tables. A live feedback survey revealed that 97% of participants would recommend VisionX to others — a testament to its impact and relevance. One participant summed it up beautifully: “The travel for the programme was worth it.”
VisionX was more than a workshop; it was a spark — one that reminded young dreamers that entrepreneurship is not just about business, but about purpose, resilience, and faith in action.
As KE continues its mission as a non-profit mutual benefit networking organization, VisionX marks a defining step in shaping the next generation of Christian entrepreneurs — disciplined, daring, and deeply driven by purpose.