The BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Pre-Consultations event, held on January 17, 2025, at Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi, brought together more than 400 participants from across the Delhi NCR region from various institutes. The event aimed to engage young entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders, fostering collaboration, creativity, and sustainable business practices. Over 35 teams from different regions participated, eager to explore new opportunities for growth and innovation. The event emphasized the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and entrepreneurial development to address numerous challenges.
The day commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the enlightenment of knowledge and progress. Prof. Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Principal of Mata Sundri College for Women, delivered a heartfelt welcome address, emphasizing the role of youth as change-makers and entrepreneurs in shaping the future. Alongside her, Retd. Lt. Gen. K.J. Singh PVSM, AVSM & Bar—a respected leader in both military and entrepreneurship—also shared his views, highlighting the crucial role of youth in India’s evolving startup ecosystem. He expressed how initiatives like Startup India and Make in India have empowered youth to create global businesses, reinforcing the need for resilience, adaptability, and innovation in entrepreneurship. Additionally, Sardar Kulbir Singh, Governing Body Member at Mata Sundri College, discussed the expensive opportunities within the BRICS countries, underscoring the importance of collaboration among youth from diverse regions to tackle global challenges.
The keynote address, delivered by Sairaj Dhond, Founder of Wakao Foods, captivated the audience with his story of turning jackfruit into a sustainable, plant-based food product. Sairaj Dhond’s speech underscored the importance of aligning business goals with sustainability, using innovative approaches to tackle food waste while addressing market gaps. His entrepreneurial journey, transitioning from law to food innovation, illustrated how resilience and purpose-driven business models can create impactful, global change.
Following the keynote, the event featured an interactive session titled “From Job Seekers to Job Creators: Transforming Youth Potential into Sustainable Economic Impact.” The session delved into questions surrounding entrepreneurship, the critical role of education, and the transition from being job seekers to job creators. The panelists discussed how entrepreneurship can be cultivated through education, particularly through university innovation cells, and how failures should be viewed as stepping stones to success. They also touched on how young entrepreneurs can leverage their passion and vision to create sustainable, high-impact businesses.
A series of thought-provoking panel discussions followed, beginning with the session titled “From Dreamers to Founders: Empowering Youth to Innovate, Launch, and Scale Start-ups for a Sustainable Economy.” The discussion featured accomplished entrepreneurs such as Ritika Subhash, Founder of Parent Academy, who highlighted the significance of providing education to parents and caregivers using modern, evidence-based practices. Samriddhi Goyal, Founder of Buzz, discussed how her sustainable chocolate business successfully offered an innovative caffeine alternative, contributing to both sustainability and consumer satisfaction. Meanwhile, Poulomi Pallav Bose, Founder of Pouls of Art, shared her inspiring journey of turning artistic passion into a profitable venture, particularly during the pandemic. Other distinguished panelists included Dr. Tarunika Jain, Deputy CEO of Udhmodya Foundation, who stressed the importance of university-driven entrepreneurship and the necessity of supporting students in their entrepreneurial ventures, and Akshdeep Singh, CEO & Co-Founder of Chronicles Sporting Events, who emphasized how his startup was revolutionizing the sports and events industry by introducing innovative formats to engage audiences.
Jasveer Singh, Founder of Hood, delivered a masterclass titled “The startup ecosystem in India : Opportunities for youth to create inclusive impact.” In his session, Jasveer highlighted the importance of purpose and resilience in entrepreneurship, stressing that setbacks are an inherent part of the journey. He emphasized that success comes from starting with conviction, adapting as needed, and refining ideas for long-term impact.
Throughout the day, the event saw active participation from youth delegates, moderators, and distinguished jury members. Jury Chair Anil Razdan, IAS, Former Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, and Jury Co-Chair Sardar (Dr.) Charan Singh, Non-Executive Chairman, Punjab and Sindh Bank, CEO and Founder Director, EGROW Foundation, contributed significantly to the success of the event. Jury members such as Dr. Kavita Singh, Assistant Professor at Mata Sundri College for Women, and Prajna Kulshrestha, Strategic Consultant at GCTC, also played an integral role in shaping the discussions and outcomes.
The moderators, including Dr. Meha Pant, Consultant at GCTC and Assistant Professor at Sharda University, facilitated the sessions with precision, ensuring engaging discussions on topics such as entrepreneurship, sustainability, and global collaboration. Ms. Kamna Virmani and Ms. Paromita Dutta played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of discussions and facilitated the felicitation of panelists and moderators.
This event provided opportunities for networking and collaboration among young entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders, creating an exciting platform for participants to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions. They gained valuable insights into how they could scale their startups and businesses within the global ecosystem.
In conclusion, the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Pre-Consultations event was a resounding success in bringing together the brightest minds from across the Delhi NCR region from various institutes. It served as a platform for youth to not only share ideas but also to forge lasting collaborations that will impact the future of entrepreneurship. The event reinforced the power of youth-driven innovation, sustainable practices, and global cooperation in building resilient economies. With the support of thought leaders, mentors, and industry experts, the participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped with the knowledge and connections to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. This event has undoubtedly set the stage for even greater collaboration and impact in the future of global entrepreneurship.
