Event

Objectives

The Eureka Competition 2025 was organized with the following objectives:

1. Promotion of Entrepreneurial Spirit – To ignite creativity and encourage students to think beyond conventional career paths.
2. Exposure to Startup Ecosystem – To familiarize students with the process of idea validation, business model structuring, and pitch presentation.
3. Skill Enhancement – To develop competencies such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, financial planning, and negotiation.
4. Innovation for Impact – To encourage students to design business models that not only generate profit but also address pressing social and environmental challenges.
5. Mentorship and Feedback – To provide expert insights from judges, enabling participants to refine their ideas for future incubation and funding opportunities.

Brief Summary of Event

The National Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025 – Eureka Competition was held on 23rd August 2025 at Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University’s School of Management & Research, Pune, under the guidance of its Entrepreneurship Development Cell. This initiative, supported by IIT Bombay, aimed to promote innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and startup culture among students.

The event began with a formal inaugural session graced by the judges, heads of departments, and faculty coordinators. The opening remarks highlighted the significance of IIT Bombay’s challenge in cultivating entrepreneurial talent across universities in India. The gathering included MBA and MCA students, faculty members, and distinguished guests, creating an inspiring environment filled with curiosity and enthusiasm.

The competition was carefully structured into different rounds. The first was the Idea Pitch Round, where each team presented its startup proposal, outlining the problem identified, the proposed solution, the target audience, and the business model. This was followed by a Q&A session with the judges, during which participants were asked challenging questions about the feasibility, scalability, and market relevance of their ideas. This interaction tested their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and negotiation abilities. The final stage involved evaluation and feedback, where the judges provided constructive suggestions to help students refine their concepts.

Evaluation was based on multiple criteria, including creativity, innovation, market potential, financial viability, and social as well as environmental impact. Problem-solving approach, clarity of communication, and persuasive ability during Q&A were also considered. Students presented diverse and impactful ideas, ranging from tech-driven solutions in healthcare and education, to sustainable business ventures in waste management, renewable energy, and eco-friendly products. Some teams focused on social entrepreneurship initiatives for rural development, women empowerment, and financial inclusion, while others developed innovative service models addressing urban lifestyle challenges.

The judges played the dual role of evaluators and mentors. Ms. Sheetal Arjunwadkar stressed the importance of market validation, scalability, and customer acquisition strategies. Prof. Gururaj Dangare provided guidance on incubation pathways, funding mechanisms, and teamwork in entrepreneurship. Their mentorship added practical industry insights that enriched the overall learning experience for students.

The outcomes of the event were significant. Students gained hands-on knowledge on structuring business models, improved their confidence and presentation skills, and received valuable feedback to strengthen their entrepreneurial journey. Several promising ideas were identified for potential incubation and further mentorship. The event also raised awareness about sustainability and social responsibility in entrepreneurship, encouraging alignment with global development goals. In addition, it provided networking and mentoring opportunities that will support future collaborations.

Ultimately, the competition not only enhanced the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the university but also reinforced the vision of the Entrepreneurship Development Cell as a catalyst for innovation, leadership, and startup growth.