Ahmedabad 06 March 2025: The Empresario 2025, Annual Startup Summit(2-day) of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad commenced on March 6th at the Institute’s campus. Empresario Startup Summit 2025 is the 13th Annual Flagship Event held on ‘Future Innovation’ will conclude on March 7th.
Empresario Startup Summit is an exclusive platform for start-ups, new age entrepreneurs, industry mentors, investors, and the student community to meet, share entrepreneurial experiences, gain incredible new insights, and pledge to become an indispensable part of the ever-thriving start-up ecosystem. Empresario, a first-of-its-kind platform, initiated in 2012 and has since grown to become one of the largest entrepreneurship gatherings.
The summit was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Education and Cooperative,Government of Uttarakhand. He stated, “The concept of entrepreneurship and startups is picking up in the country. Today is the time of innovators, innovations, ideas, incubation and investors. The youths must step forth and tap the opportunities that lie before them. They just have to ideate and the rest will automatically fall in place in the strong entrepreneurship ecosystem that the country is focussing on. Gujarat has always been acclaimed for its entrepreneurial potential. I believe the students are fortunate to get this education and that too in the state of Gujarat. For supporting Uttarakhand youths, the Govt. of Uttarakhand has also collaborated with EDII. I am happy to say that in just One year, 400+ enterprises have come into being and several more are in the process of getting set up. Let us come together to promote entrepreneurship and make a meaningful contribution to the Vision of Viksit Bharat. ”
Shri Prakashbhai Varmora, MLA, Dhrangadhra, Surendranagar, said, “I urge all entrepreneurship aspirants to take calculated risks; speak to experts, visit institutions, train, read and educate themselves. Many entrepreneurs put their best brains in executing their ideas; but somewhere they forget to look at the larger market or to connect with people and new ideas. So network as much as possible to keep yourself updated with the market, and you will succeed. I extend my best wishes to students. May you dream big and become noted achievers.”
Dr. Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Higher and Technical, Govt. of Uttarakhand, said, “India has the finest amalgamation of institutions, policies, incubation and accelerators. The present time is the most beneficial for prospective startups, and of course being in Gujarat is an added advantage. The students of entrepreneurship have the best of resources, mentorship and training, so I would urge them to make the best use of it and go ahead without the fear of failing. It is important that they rise above the fear of failure because success rests there. Entrepreneurship is a development tool and we all are happy that the country is placing such a great accent on promoting it. ”
Stating about new education policy, Shri Dinesh Ramesh Gurav, IAS, Director, Higher and Technical Education of Gujarat Government, said, “Gujarat has always been a place where entrepreneurial spirit thrives, and events like Empresario play a significant role in inspiring students and young innovators. The new education policy is all about nurturing creativity, critical thinking, skill development, thus giving students the tools they need to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
Speaking about development of Gujarat’s SMEs, Shri R.D. Barhat, Joint Commissioner of Industries, Government of Gujarat, said, “As Gujarat continues to evolve, the Industrial Policies of the statecontinueto foster a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. MSMEs and SMEs, in particular, are integral to our industrial landscape, and through capacity-building and policy advocacy, we are working to ensure that Gujarat remains a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.By fostering innovation and providing the right support, we are enabling entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to a self-reliant Gujarat.”
Motivating the budding entrepreneurs, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII said, “This Empresario is a game changer for many entrepreneurial minds, every year. This Annual Startup Summit is a big networking platform, and networking makes a huge difference in enhancing boundaries, curating opportunities and developing knowledge for an entrepreneur.I stress on the significance of dedication, integrity and commitment for an entrepreneur. To the potential and existing entrepreneurs and startups, my advice would be that you continue thinking anew, co-opting resources, networking and experimenting.”
The two – day summit comprised of several interactive session from notable speakers likeShri Ashneer Grover, Former Founder & MDBharatPe; CA Abhinav Malvia,Managing Partner, J K Patel & Associates; Shri Archit Somani, Managing Director, TraCoMo Automation& Camera System; Shri Sunny Vaghela,Founder & CEO, Techdefence Labs; Shri Yogesh Brahmankar, Innovation Director, MOE’s Innovation Cell, Govt. of India; Shri Gagan Goswami, Owner Heritage InfraspacePvt. Ltd.; Shri Ravindra Bhojani,CBRE;Shri Loveleen Garg, Chief Planner – GIFT City andShri Jignesh Vohra, Owner – Polaris Group of Companies.
The summit also included a big pitch round aimed at garnering investments for viable ideas, were in more than 40 startups and 28students pitched their products and services in front investors. Over 45 startups were allocated exhibition stalls including CrAdLE Startups, EDII Alumni, EDII Students, and EDII beneficiaries.
An integral highlight of the event was the release of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor: India Report 2023 -24, offering valuable insights into the entrepreneurial landscape of the nation.
