Growth and economic development of any country, lie in the entrepreneurial ability of its citizens. A huge proportion of the students of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata are from Business families and with strong business acumen and mindset, and many of them are potential entrepreneurs. In this backdrop, Centre for Incubation, Consultancy & Entrepreneurship (CICE) of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata has conducted an orientation programme on Business Planning: ‘Seed-Biz’. The Inaugural eConference of SEED-BIZ was followed by submission of business plans by budding entrepreneurs, evaluation by esteemed Jury Panel from Industry & Academia, felicitation of the highest ranked plans and individual Expert session for each business plan group to make plans more robust to implement in near future.

The Felicitation programme started with kind blessings and welcome address by Rev. Fr. Dr. J. Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata.

Father VC mentioned that how an entrepreneur multiplies, and a manager keeps adding. ‘Entrepreneurship’ with high emerging power in the world works as a locomotive for the economic development of a country. In India, entrepreneurs have come a long way in breaking the financial and social barriers. MSMEs have been the backbone of Indian economy and is one of the most crucial segments that let the economy grow by leaps and bounds. The pandemic outbreak and the consequent stoppage of economic activities have made great impact on MSMEs having access to limited financial resources, limited borrowing capacity due to the disproportionate presence in economic sectors affected by social distancing measures and transport disruptions. Various types of SMEs such as village handicraft makers (weaving, embroidery etc.), potteries, dying, small machine shops, food processing, pharmaceuticals restaurants, knitting, small dairy process etc. are becoming increasingly important to economic development in India.

Father VC has mentioned how ‘SEED-BIZ’ emphasized on importance of strong business planning, robust revenue model, uniqueness of business ideas, and strategies behind successful business. 22 Business plans were submitted by 53 students in groups from various courses of the University and these students have shown great interests towards various sectors with major focus on Food & Beverages, Biotechnology, Tour & Travel, Data & Security, Information Technology, Boutique, Fashion, Health & Wellness, Beauty, Education & Training and Gaming Console. Father VC has congratulated all the students who participated to ‘SEED-BIZ’.

‘SEED-BIZ’ worked towards empowering budding entrepreneurs to be catalysts of change, importance of strategy, opportunities, industry leaders connect, and majorly, how to improve the business plans to implement in near future. The orientation programme Seed-Biz has identified the potential budding entrepreneurs from St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata and their focus business categories. Father VC has mentioned that such programmes will always inspire students to think of entrepreneurship and explore possibilities.

Members of esteemed Jury Panel Mr. Atanu Ghosh, Dr. Gautam Dutta, Dr. Sanjib Kumar Basu, Mr. Sumit Ray praised students of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata for sincerity, enthusiastic approach towards diverse sectors, with innovative ideas, capturing real potential in their plan, without having any practical experience. They mentioned connection between economic environment and entrepreneurial mindset. The 7 essentials for Business planning are simple plan, market focus, over estimation of cost, support team, continuous assessment of plan, understanding the commitment behind establishing the business. Now, in India, financial support, technical support, human resource support - all three important contributors to successful entrepreneurship are available.

Pro. Ashis Mitra, Registrar, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata has announced the name of the ‘SEED-BIZ’ Rank holders.

The Felicitation programme ended with interaction with Winners, and post that Vote of Thanks by Ms Bidisha Roy, Executive Director- CICE, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata.

Individual Expert session for each business plan group were arranged through breakout rooms to make plans more robust to implement in near future.

Dignitaries present during the Felicitation programme were:
• Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J. Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata

• Pro. Ashis Mitra, Registrar, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata

• Mr. Atanu Ghosh, Managing Partner- BlueBeaks Solutions LLP; Founder & CEO- Salt n Soap, Visiting Faculty- XLRI, IIM Calcutta, IIM Udaipur

• Dr. Gautam Dutta, Professor, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata

• Dr. Sanjib Kumar Basu, Associate Professor and Dean, Postgraduate and Research Department of Commerce, St Xavier’s College, Kolkata

• Mr. Sumit Ray, COO, Allindia Technologies Ltd.

• Ms Bidisha Roy, Executive Director, Centre for Incubation, Consultancy & Entrepreneurship (CICE), St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata

Ms. Bidisha Roy
Executive Director, CICE, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata