48-Hour Startup Challenge: Fostering Green Skills for Youth, held at SAC

Mangaluru: St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, in collaboration with King’s College London Alumni Community Hyderabad and Kings Business School Alumni Community, organised 48-Hour Startup Challenge” on August 11, 2023, at Robert Sequeira Hall of LCRI Block. This event was organised with King’s Vision 2029 and to commemorate the United Nations International Youth Day 2023 aims to empower the startup and young social entrepreneur community with a strong focus on “Green Skills for the Youth.”

The 48-Hour Startup Challenge, hosted on the vibrant campus of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, provides an incredible platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and change-makers to connect, collaborate, and create innovative solutions for a greener future. Participants had the unique opportunity to interact with bright minds from across South India and beyond, tapping into a diverse pool of talents and perspectives. The event was guided by experienced mentors, including King’s Alumni, Startup 20 (G20) incubators, faculty members, and government personnel from India and abroad. Participants got engaged in a series of enriching sessions and workshops covering various segments, such as technical sessions, live market research, concept development, digital campaigns, and startup launches.

One of the key highlights of the 48-Hour Startup Challenge was the opportunity for participants to showcase their innovative ideas and contribute to impactful socio-economic initiatives. The top three pitchers will receive commendations and recommendations to apply for government entrepreneurship schemes and funds, providing a significant boost to their entrepreneurial journey. The event was open to participants between the ages of 18 and 35, encouraging final-year UG/PG students and young graduates from various regions to take part and contribute their unique perspectives.

Dr Alwyn D’Sa, the Registrar of St Aloysius College welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the chief guests: CA S S Nayak, Co-opted Member, MSME and Startup Committee, SIRC of ICAI, Chennai; Kalbavi Prakash Rao, Owner, Kalbavi Cashews and Convener, Food Processing & Agribusiness Panel, Karnataka CII State Council, and Mr Stephen Anurag, President of King’s College London Alumni Hyderabad and NiSG Project Co-Lead and Public Policy Official of the Government of Meghalaya. Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, the Principal of St Aloysius College; Dr Alwyn D’Sa, Registrar of the College; Dr Adarsha Gowda, Dean of the Entrepreneurship Cell were on the dais.

1. S. Nayak, in his inaugural address, encouraged and stressed that the youth should be entrepreneurs rather than employed. Kalbhavi Prakash, addressing the gathering, said, “Today the number of startups has increased enormously, but many have not succeeded due to a lack of proper planning and ideas. You need to have innovation, resilience, and commitment when you go into a startup career. You should be driven by a passion, and make that passion a reality and success”.

“There are failures in startups, but you need to go forward and try to make it a success. Being an alumnus of St Aloysius College in 1985, I am seeing enormous changes and growth here to encourage the youth to come up in their lives. I started my entrepreneurship in 1987, and I feel that it was the best move that I made, even though I didn’t make millions, but happy with my achievements, added Kalbhavi.

Addressing the gathering, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ said, “We are thrilled to organize this startup challenge in partnership with esteemed institutions like King’s College London Alumni Community Hyderabad and Kings Business School Alumni Community. Our shared vision is to cultivate an ecosystem that nurtures young entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building a sustainable future,”

Stephen Anurag said in his speech, “We believe that the youth hold the potential to drive positive change in our society. By fostering a supportive environment and providing the right resources, we can empower these young minds to transform their ideas into reality and make a lasting impact on the world. We extend a warm welcome to all the young individuals here today who are passionate about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social impact by joining this prestigious event. Together, let’s pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.”

The 48-hour startup challenge began with Union Session I – Concept, Skillsets, and Outcomes of a Startup. Advocating SDGs through UN Intl’ Youth Day: Green Skills; Technical Session I Teamwork held on understanding mindsets & brands; Union Session II Online Session by Rodgrigo Saval, from Mexico Youth in the Politics of Businesses: Perspectives from South America; Technical Session II team work was held on templates, presentations, and pitches. Union Session III Developing icons and illustrations for startups; Technical Session III Teamwork on designing icons; Union Session IV Online Session: Sumit Dubey, UK Developing digital footprints for Startup; Union Session IV (A) Online session: Saket Narula, UK Financing a Startup: Doing Business in India and the UK; The Technical Session IV Teamwork on building a portal/website, social media.

Ms Diya Mascarenhas of III BA meticulously compered the program. Dr Adarsha Gowda, proposed the vote of thanks.