Workshop

On

Startup Samvaad (Meet the Industry Leaders)

Date of Event: 26th February,2026

          Organised by: MIIF and IIC along with Maharishi School of    

    Engineering and Technology in association with IQAC                      

Objective: MIIF and IIC along with Maharishi School of Engineering and Technology, in association with IQAC successfully organized workshop on Startup Samvaad on 26th February, 2026. The objective of Startup Samvaad was to motivate students to explore entrepreneurship by interacting with industry experts and successful startup founders. It also aimed to provide insights into innovation, startup challenges, funding opportunities, and the role of youth in building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

Participating Students: More than 200 students from all schools of MUIT (Lucknow Campus).

Workshop Details: The dignitaries and speakers were warmly welcomed by the students with a traditional tika ceremony, creating a respectful and culturally rich beginning to the event. The Dean MSOET (Dr. Kalyan Acharjya) presented the speakers with saplings as a token of welcome and appreciation.

The event featured two engaging panel discussions where experienced entrepreneurs, professionals, and mentors shared their journeys, experiences, and practical guidance with the students.

The first panel discussion was titled “Becoming an entrepreneur – Choice or Nation’s Call?” and was moderated by Mr.Harsh Vardhan (Fintech Professional at VamosPago) specializing in cross-border payments and scalable global transaction ecosystems. The panelists included Mr.Faiz Siddiqui (Founder of Soil Concept and Shark Tank India Season-2 Finalist) known for his work in sustainable plant-based personal care innovation and Shubham (Founder of Gradels Education and Technotouch Solutions, leading AI-driven digital transformation projects with a group turnover exceeding ₹50 crores).

 The discussion highlighted important themes such as entrepreneurship as a balance between personal ambition and national responsibility, the idea of profit with purpose, opportunities in building solutions for Bharat versus global markets, and the role of deep technology, sustainability, and healthcare innovation in shaping the future of entrepreneurship. The speakers also emphasized the importance of innovation, resilience, and ethical leadership in building successful enterprises. They encouraged students to think creatively, identify real-world problems, and develop solutions that can create a meaningful impact on society. The panelists further motivated the youth to embrace challenges and view entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for driving economic growth and social change.

The second panel discussion titled “The Biggest Obstacles Youth Face in Starting an Enterprise” was moderated by Mr. Gitesh Kumar (Founder of Hawaiiadda Aerial Innovations, Startup Mentor, and Drone Entrepreneur). The panelists included Mohd Anas (CEO and Co-Founder of Jigyasа Three-Wheeler Showrooms, Jigyasа Garage and Jigyasа EV Stations and Vice President of the Board of Trade, Lucknow); Mr. Anand Bhatt (Hydrogeologist and groundwater sustainability expert associated with the National Institute of Hydrology and CGWA) and CA Jatin Srivastava (Co-founder of Seth & Associates and Virtual CFO with more than 20 years of experience advising startups and venture capital-backed firms).

The panelists shared their experiences regarding the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs such as access to funding, regulatory hurdles, lack of mentorship, and market uncertainties, while also motivating students to adopt innovation, networking, and perseverance to overcome these obstacles. They emphasized the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and staying updated with emerging technologies in today’s competitive business environment. The speakers also highlighted the role of collaboration and strong professional networks in turning ideas into successful ventures. Students were encouraged to develop problem-solving skills and maintain a positive mindset while pursuing entrepreneurial goals.

Towards the end of the event, students actively interacted with the panelists by asking insightful questions. The Dean Academics (Dr. Neeraj Jain) presented tokens of appreciation to the distinguished speakers as a gesture of gratitude for their valuable time and insights. The program ended on a positive note with a group photograph, capturing the memorable interaction between the speakers, faculty members, and enthusiastic students.

Event was coordinated by Mrs. Pooja Shukla, Assistant Professor, MSOET.

Students’ feedback: Students expressed that the Startup Samvaad session was highly engaging and enlightening, as it provided them with first-hand experiences shared by successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals. The discussions helped them understand the practical aspects of building a startup, managing risks, and identifying opportunities in the market. Students also appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and interact directly with the experts, which enhanced their confidence and broadened their perspective towards innovation and entrepreneurship.

Acknowledgements: Gratitude to Mr. Harsh Vardhan(Fintech Professional (VamosPago),United Arab Emirates); Mr. Faiz Siddiqui(Founder, Soil Concept, Lucknow & Shark Tank India S2 Finalist) Mr. Shubham Roy(Founder, Gradels Education & Technotouch Solutions, Lucknow), Mr.Gitesh Kumar(Founder, Hawaiadda Aerial Innovations, Ghaziabad), Mohd Anas Ansari(CEO & Co-Founder, Jigaysa Three-Wheeler Showrooms , Lucknow), Mr.Anand Bhatt( Hydrogeologist & Sustainability Expert, New Delhi) and CA Jatin Srivastava( Co-founder, Seth & Associates & Virtual CFO, Lucknow)for sharing his expertise with our students. We also extend our gratitude to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor (Prof. Bhanu Pratap Singh), Registrar (Dr. Girish Chhimwal), Dean Academics (Dr. Neeraj Jain, MUIT, Lucknow Campus), Dean MSOET (Dr. Kalyan Acharjya) for his valuable guidance and constant encouragement. A heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Puneet Pandey (Manager, MIIF, Lucknow Campus)) for organizing the workshop smoothly and efficiently. Sincere thanks to Sr. AO (Dr. Rajesh Singh) for his active support and cooperation in making the visit a success.