Media Release
Udupi, Aug 25: With an aim to create awareness on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership, Manipal group of Institutions and Incubators celebrated World Entrepreneurs’ Day (WED) on August 23. The theme for this year is Women Entrepreneurship at Manipal group of Institutions. “Women are redefining India’s growth trajectory and closing the gender gap can fast track the India’s ambition of becoming the $5 trillian economy," said the founder and CEO of Colossa Ventures, Ashu Suyash during conversation with founders of Colossa Ventures on the occasion of World Entrepreneurs’ Day.
Clossa Ventures has set up a fund for investing in women first businesses. The fund will be invested in women founded companies, and male founded companies whose key beneficiaries are women. Vandana Rajyadhyaksha, Founder and Co-head was also present in the panel. In his address Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, vice chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), appreciated the efforts of founders of Colossa Ventures to empower women and said, “Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy, and they create opportunity for others in the society." He continued to state, "Through our 4 incubators at the Manipal Group Universities, we have supported more than 150 startups, which include startups of women, faculty, students, alumni and others." He also urged the entrepreneurs to work towards building the community along with enterprise development by taking the example of story of modern Manipal built by its founder Dr TMA Pai.
As part of reach and involvement of community represented by local entrepreneurs, an experience sharing session was organized jointly with Platform for Women Entrepreneurs (POWER), Udupi and Zone IV of Rotary District 3182. Women entrepreneurs of POWER shared various challenges faced by women entrepreneurs regarding service, manufacturing and food sector. Rotary member highlighted the need for women empowerment in line with this years theme of Rotary.
Various dignitaries like Dr Venkatraya Prabhu, pro vice chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, Shruti Pai, creative director, MEMG, Harinarayan Sharma, sr vice president, MEMG, Poonam Shetty, president, POWER, Rtn. Ramachandra Upadhyaya, asst Governor, Zone IV, Rotary District 3182, Dr Raviraja N S, director, Corporate Relations, MAHE, Dr Y Shrihari Upadhyaya, CEO, MUTBI and Dr Manesh Thomas, CEO, Manipal-Gov of Karnataka Bioincubator, were present during the interactive session.
The programme was coordinated by Dr Shruthi Acharya, associate professor, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal and Ms. Supriya Nickam, Entrepreneur. WED was jointly organized by Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG) with MAHE, Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and its associated incubators i.e., Manipal Universal Technology Business Incubator (MUTBI), Manipal-Govt of Karnataka Bioincubator, Atal Incubation Center(AIC)-MUJ and AIC-SMU TBI.