The recent event at IIT BHU on 8th February brought together esteemed scholars, industry experts, and students to celebrate innovation and knowledge sharing. The event unfolded with a well-structured program, featuring insightful talks and meaningful interactions.
A Grand Opening
The program commenced at 3:00 PM, with a warm invitation to guests, followed by the traditional Garlanding of Mahamanaji and Lighting of the Lamp. The atmosphere was enriched by the soulful rendition of Kulgeet, IIT BHU’s anthem, setting the tone for the evening.
The Hon’ble Director extended a heartfelt welcome to the Chief Guest, followed by an insightful Welcome Address by Prof. M.K. Meshram, emphasizing IIT BHU’s legacy and its future aspirations.
Unveiling the IIT BHU Seed Fund
A key highlight of the event was Mr. Avi Dutt’s introduction to the IIT BHU Seed Fund, shedding light on how it aims to support entrepreneurial ventures and drive innovation. His address sparked curiosity and excitement among students and faculty members alike.
Following this, the Hon’ble Director shared his blessing words, encouraging young minds to embrace challenges and strive for excellence.
Special Talk by Mr. Shirish Sathaye
Mr. Shirish Sathaye, an esteemed IIT BHU (Class of 1984, Electronics Engineering) alumnus and General Partner at Cervin Ventures, delivered an insightful session on The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Raising Capital, Building, and Scaling Global Companies. His extensive experience in venture capital and leadership across major tech firms offered invaluable lessons to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways from His Talk
🔹 His Journey: From IIT BHU to Silicon Valley
Mr. Sathaye shared his inspiring journey, beginning at IIT BHU and progressing through Virginia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, and leadership roles at top tech firms. His experience at FORE Systems and Alteon WebSystems, both of which went public and were acquired for multi-billion-dollar valuations, demonstrated the impact of strategic innovation and leadership.
🔹 The Fundamentals of Venture Capital
– How venture capitalists evaluate startups, focusing on market size, founder-market fit, product uniqueness, and capital efficiency.
– The power law distribution in venture funding—only a small percentage of startups generate the majority of returns.
– The role of investors in mentoring and guiding entrepreneurs beyond financial backing.
🔹 Valuing Early-Stage Startups
– Importance of strong leadership teams with a clear vision and execution strategy.
– Identifying trends and disruptions in industries that create new opportunities.
– Case studies of Uber, Netflix, and enterprise WiFi innovation, showcasing how companies successfully disrupted markets.
🔹 Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
– Build companies that solve real-world problems with scalable solutions.
– Resilience and adaptability are key—his own career shifts reflected the need to evolve with changing market trends.
– IIT BHU alumni and students should leverage institutional networks, funding support, and incubation resources to turn ideas into impactful businesses.
His talk left the audience inspired, equipping them with a practical roadmap to venture into the startup world with confidence.
Virtual Sessions by Global Expert
This was followed by two engaging short online sessions of Prof. Chinta Gunta and Mr Sagar Bhimavarapu.
A Fitting Conclusion
The event wrapped up with the Vote of Thanks by Prof. Rajesh Upadhyay, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, organizers, and attendees for making the event a success. The gathering then moved on to an informal networking session over Hi-Tea, allowing students and faculty to engage in meaningful discussions.
Final Thoughts
The event not only provided a platform to learn from experts but also inspired students to dream big, innovate, and contribute to the world of technology and entrepreneurship. With the presence of industry leaders and academic stalwarts, IIT BHU once again reinforced its commitment to shaping future changemakers.
