Tag: Entrepreneurship

EduConnect

EDII Launches AICTE-Approved PGDM in Entrepreneurship for Tech Startups in Bengaluru

Tanisha Cardozo

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), one of India’s pioneering institutions in entrepreneurship education, has announced the launch of a new AICTE-approved PGDM specialisation in “Entrepreneurship for Tech Startups” in Bengaluru. The programme is designed to empower tech professionals with entrepreneurial learning, structured mentorship and venture-building support to help transform high-potential ideas into successful startups.

The Tech Startups specialisation focuses on high-growth sectors such as EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech, AI-driven enterprises and scalable digital ventures. The curriculum adopts a practical, milestone-based approach, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with skills in opportunity identification, feasibility assessment, business model creation, product development, funding readiness and go-to-market strategies.

Speaking at the announcement, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII, highlighted Bengaluru’s central role in India’s technology ecosystem and Karnataka’s prominence in the startup landscape. He noted that the new specialisation aligns with the growing trend of young professionals choosing entrepreneurship as a purposeful career path and supports the broader vision of contributing to India’s development goals by 2047.

The two-year PGDM in Entrepreneurship, introduced in 1998, is focused exclusively on entrepreneurship development. It is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education, accredited by the National Board of Accreditation and holds MBA-equivalent status from the Association of Indian Universities. With more than 2,200 alumni and approximately 79% becoming active entrepreneurs, EDII’s programme has established a strong track record in venture creation.

Students benefit from organised mentoring, sector exposure, incubation support through EDII’s Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises (CALEL), and milestone-linked seed grants. In addition to the new Tech Startups specialisation, learners can choose from New Enterprise Creation, Family Business Management and Social Entrepreneurship, making the PGDM a comprehensive platform for diverse entrepreneurial journeys.

Beyond academics, EDII has maintained a strong presence in Karnataka since establishing its regional office in Bengaluru in 1997. The institute has partnered with the state government and corporate organisations on CSR-driven entrepreneurship initiatives focused on women empowerment, MSME development, youth entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods in districts including Mandya, Tumakuru, Kolar and Nelamangala. Collaborations with companies such as Accenture, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and IDBI Bank have further strengthened grassroots entrepreneurship development.

Initiatives like Entrepreneurship Hubba in Bengaluru reflect EDII’s commitment to inclusive growth, enabling women to build home-based and small-scale enterprises. With the launch of the Tech Startups specialisation, EDII reinforces its mission of building entrepreneurs who create enterprises, generate employment and contribute meaningfully to India’s innovation-driven economy.

EduConnect

DMC College Hosts Workshop on Mushroom Cultivation as Agribusiness

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The Entrepreneurship and Startup Development Cell of DMC College, in association with the Department of Commerce, conducted a workshop on “Mushroom Cultivation as an Agribusiness” on 5 February 2026, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial skills and awareness of sustainable agricultural ventures among students.


The session was led by Dr. Ashish Prabhugaonkar, Assistant Professor from the Department of Botany, Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, Goa, who served as the resource person. He explained the different types of mushrooms suitable for cultivation and discussed their nutritional value, commercial viability and growing market demand.

A hands-on practical demonstration formed the highlight of the workshop, where students were guided through the complete process of mushroom cultivation, including substrate preparation, spawning techniques and ideal growth conditions. The interactive nature of the session helped participants understand how mushroom farming can be developed into a profitable agribusiness.

A total of 38 students from DMC College attended the workshop, which was appreciated for its practical orientation and relevance to entrepreneurship, self-employment and agribusiness opportunities.

Business

Budget Push on MSME Growth Funds Strengthens Access to Capital and Digital Scale: Justdial

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs continue to remain one of the strongest drivers of entrepreneurship, employment and economic momentum. Commenting on the Union Budget’s focus on the sector, Shwetank Dixit, Chief Growth Officer at Justdial, said the creation of a ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, along with a ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund, marks a significant step in strengthening long-term MSME growth.


According to Dixit, the measures directly address three long-standing challenges faced by MSMEs—limited access to equity capital, inconsistent liquidity and delayed payments. He noted that structural reforms such as improved integration of platforms like the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) could help improve cash flows and bring greater predictability to payment cycles.

Dixit also highlighted the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and simplified business processes as a critical enabler for MSMEs. As small businesses increasingly adopt digital platforms for discovery, market expansion and productivity gains, these initiatives provide a stronger foundation for sustainable scaling.

He added that a consistent policy focus on digital adoption and financial access will allow MSMEs to grow with greater confidence, efficiency and resilience.

Business

Goa Celebrates National Startup Day with Focus on Funding and Policy Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

With a focus on strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa, organised a National Startup Day programme in Panaji. The initiative aimed to provide startups with practical guidance, policy and funding awareness, while creating opportunities for engagement with key ecosystem stakeholders.

The programme was graced by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Shri Praveen Volvotkar, Managing Director, Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd; Dr Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Rohan Khaunte emphasised the Government of Goa’s commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem through access to policy support, funding and market opportunities. He stated that the government envisions Goa as a launchpad for innovative ideas that can scale beyond the state and reach global markets.

Held under the theme ‘Empowering Startups. Enabling Ecosystem’, the event featured an overview of National Startup Day followed by a panel discussion on the effective utilisation of central government startup schemes. The discussion brought together key ecosystem enablers who shared insights on leveraging national initiatives for startup growth. Panelists included representatives from AIC-GIM, CIBA, BITS BioCyTih Foundation, FiiRE, Build3, SBI and HDFC, with the session moderated by Shri Lalit Saraswat.

The programme also included a presentation by the SITPC team outlining state-level incentives and funding support available to startups in Goa. Adding a practical dimension to the event, Shri Amarsh Chaturvedi, Co-founder of Traverse and Neural Machines, conducted an engaging workshop on pitching skills, equipping entrepreneurs with actionable insights to present their ideas effectively.

The event concluded with the felicitation of startups, incubators, academicians and industry associations for their contribution to strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem. Startups such as Asier, Trash Co., Spatialcraft, Neural Kissan and YIMBY were recognised, along with incubators including AIC-GIM, CIBA, Build3, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation and FiiRE. Industry bodies such as GCCI, GTA and ASSOCHAM–Goa Chapter, along with academicians, were also honoured.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, the National Startup Day programme not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced collective efforts towards building a supportive, collaborative and sustainable startup environment in Goa.

Business

GCCI Hosts Joint Professional Programme on LLP Compliances, Startup Funding and Growth as Part of Startup Week 2026

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 


Panaji, 16 January 2026: The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with the Goa Chapter of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), successfully organised a Joint Professional Programme at GCCI, Panaji, as part of Startup Week 2026. The programme revolved around the themes “Igniting Growth: Startup Funding, Investment & Compliance” and “LLP & its Compliances” and received an encouraging response from entrepreneurs, professionals, startups, MSMEs, and students.



Welcoming the participants, Ms. Pratima Dhond, President, GCCI, underlined the importance of awareness, compliance, governance, and continuous learning for sustainable business growth, particularly within the startup and MSME ecosystem. She highlighted GCCI’s role in supporting businesses through advocacy, capacity building, and professional collaboration.

CS Darshan Karekar, Chairman, ICSI Goa Chapter, stated that startups play a vital role in employment generation and national economic growth. He noted that the objective of the programme was to create awareness about regulatory compliances applicable to startups and business entities.

CA Rohan Bhandare, Hon. Secretary, GCCI, and Chairman, GCCI Taxation & Financial Services Committee, expressed satisfaction at the joint initiative being held on the occasion of National Startup Day. He emphasised that the programme reflected the shared vision of GCCI and ICSI in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and stressed the importance of continued collaboration on knowledge-driven initiatives for strengthening the business and professional community.

The Chief Guest, Ms. Trupti Sharma, ROC-cum-Official Liquidator for Goa, Daman & Diu, advised participants to actively engage with authorities and raise genuine grievances instead of facing compliance challenges in silence. She noted that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) remains receptive to valid concerns raised by stakeholders.

Elaborating on the relevance of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Ms. Sharma explained that the LLP concept was introduced in 2008 and that LLPs now account for nearly one-fourth of the total number of registered companies. She observed that registrations remain relatively low mainly due to lack of awareness. Highlighting LLPs as a preferred structure for family-run businesses, she pointed out that LLPs involve fewer compliances compared to companies, with the LLP agreement being the “soul” of the entity, and also offer easier and faster exit options.

Using an analogy, Ms. Sharma remarked that if MCA is the heart of compliances, professional bodies like ICSI and ICAI act as the arteries, while GCCI functions as the lungs, providing the oxygen necessary for the system to function efficiently.

Guest Speaker CS Vinayak Khanvalkar, Former President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, delivered an insightful session covering startup funding, investment avenues, and compliance-related aspects in line with the programme agenda.

The programme concluded with an interactive session, allowing participants to seek clarifications and directly engage with the experts. The joint initiative was widely appreciated for its practical insights and relevance to the evolving needs of startups and businesses in Goa.

The event was compered by Ms. Rakhi Malkarnekar, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Shantal Naik. The programme was coordinated by Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI, and Mr. Kiran Ballikar, Director, GCCI.