The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) of Pillai Institute of Management Studies and Research (PIMSR) organized a field visit for first-year MBA students to the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (CIBA) with the objective of providing practical exposure to the start-up ecosystem and entrepreneurship development. The visit was coordinated by IIC members Prof. Anil Jadwani, Prof. Vinod Madhavan, and Dr. Krushna R. Sawant, who accompanied the students and facilitated the learning experience. The primary objective of the visit was to help students understand the functioning of incubation centres, the process of transforming innovative ideas into scalable start-ups, and the support mechanisms available to entrepreneurs such as mentoring, networking, and access to funding opportunities. The visit aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts of entrepreneurship and real-world entrepreneurial practices.
As part of the program, an interactive session on entrepreneurship was conducted by Mr. Sagar Ranshoor, Head – Community, Partnerships and Collaborations at CIBA. During the session, he provided an overview of the incubation ecosystem and explained how CIBA supports aspiring entrepreneurs through mentoring, strategic guidance, and funding linkages. He also introduced the concept of the “Start-up Clinic,” where entrepreneurs can present their ideas for evaluation based on innovation, feasibility, and market potential. Following the session, students were taken on a facility tour by Mr. Saurabh Mirashi, Digital MarCom Manager at CIBA, where they interacted with several start-ups incubated at the centre, including GOFLOT, TUSK, Pirates Alert, and ZOSS Water. These interactions provided students with first-hand exposure to innovative business models, technological solutions, and entrepreneurial problem-solving approaches.
The visit resulted in several important learning outcomes. Students gained practical insights into the start-up incubation process, developed a better understanding of the innovation ecosystem, and learned how ideas are nurtured and transformed into viable business ventures. The experience also enhanced their awareness of entrepreneurship as a career opportunity and encouraged them to think creatively and innovatively. The activity contributed to experiential learning and supported the objectives of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among students. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting entrepreneurial learning and innovation-driven economic development.
