Bizplan contest: Hundreds particpate in Bangalore prelim of KE Entreprenet
 
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
 
Bangalore, Oct 1: The second leg of the Bizplan Contest for the Bangalore preliminary round held at Christ University with over a hundred teams of contestants submitting plans for the business plan contest, 'Entreprenet 2014.’

Incidentally, the Bangalore preliminary round of Bizplan Contest was clubbed with ESPRIT Management Fest held last week and hosted by Christ University in which management students from colleges across India took part.

With over 5,000 email invitations followed up with more than 1,000 phone calls to participating colleges and their teams, which resulted in the review committee shortlisting of 35 of the over 100 plans received.

Business Plans by three teams – Talk of the Town presented by Vijith Quadros, Floaster by Paritosh Mangal and Violet by Sachin Singh – were adjudged the top three for the semi-final round, which will also be held on December 7 at the Christ University.

The business plan adjudged as the best at the Entreprenet 2014, which is expected to be attended by over 400 entrepreneurs and professionals, is eligible to get the benefit of mentoring and initial capital from out of the Rs 1 crore venture fund available. The finalist will also get a cheque for Rs 1 lakh and a trophy from KE Global during Entreprenet 2014– the biennial global convention of KE Global in association with its affiliate Dimensions, Mumbai – in Bangalore on January 31 and February 1, 2014.

While the first leg of the Bizplan Contest with a keenly contested preliminary round was held at St Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AMIT) at Beeri in Mangalore city outskirsts on August 1 and 2, the third and final preliminary round will be held in Mumbai.

The Bangalore preliminary round of the Bizplan Contest was formerly inaugurated by Rev Fr Joseph Varghese, Director Finance of Christ University, with a call to the participants to display excellence and the commitment of service.

Christ University Vice Chancellor Rev Fr (Dr) Thomas C Mathew, in his remarks at an interaction with key office-bearers of KE and the Jury members – Prof Sridharan and Prof Shivakami (Christ University) and Adrian D’Souza, Mark D’Souza, Clarence Pereira, Anil Francis Rego, Ajay Fernandes, Claudius Pereira, Charles Gomes and Clarence D’Souza (KE Bangalore) – and said the entire management team of Christ University with twin campuses at Hosur Road and Kengeri comprising almost 14,000 students, including those from several foreign countries, was happy to associate with the KE Global.

He stressed the need for setting up of an Entrepreneur Cell at Christ University in collaboration with KE and suggested closer coordination to achieve the objective.

Dr Mathew underscored the importance of original ideas as evidenced in the business plans presented by the contestants and said such initiatives were necessary for successful enterprise.

All the business plans received from the contestants were scrutinized by a review committee comprising eminent persons – Prof Sridharan and Prof Shivakami (Christ University), Adrian D’Souza, Mark D’Souza, Clarence Pereira and Anil Francis Rego (KE Bangalore) and Shobha Mendonsa and Albert Rodrigues (KE Dubai) – before invitations were extended to the 35 teams shortlisted for their formal presentation. But 24 teams confirmed their participation on account of the clash of dates with their examination schedules, 21 teams actually presented their plans on the contest days.

Mark D’Souza, KE Bangalore President and Entreprenet 2014 Chairman, in his key note address, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship and networking for the success of young talents with bright ideas and the KE with its close ties and association with the business community as also the networking with entrepreneurs in Dubai, Mumbai and Mangalore along with those in Bangalore was keen on encouraging young entrepreneurs.

Adrian D’Souza, , Director Finance and Coordinator, Emerging Business Plan contest, in his concluding remarks, gave a brief overview of the entire Bizplan Contest and explained the nuances of the plans presented by various teams. Paying attention to small details and nitty gritty of preparing a successful plans by concentrating on workable ideas was essential instead of getting bogged down in fancy spread sheets with rosy projections, he said.

The student coordinators Yash Tibrewal and Sneha Bohra and Dr Jain Matthew, Head of the Department of Business Studies of Christ University, the Vice Chancellor of Christ University as well as the jury members were presented with mementos.

Daijiworld.com is the media partner of Entreprenet 2014.