InUnity Mangaluru, a three-month entrepreneurship programme for students, has launched its second cohort of 55 students in Mangaluru.
The first pilot programme of InUnity was initiated with a vision of identifying entrepreneurial youth across the Mangaluru region to solve local challenges. It was assisted by Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME); the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mangaluru chapter; and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM).
Johnson Tellis, co-founder of InUnity LLP, said the programme aims to enhance the interaction between educational institutions, industry associations, and community stakeholders to develop effective solutions for the community. Over a period of three months, students will receive guidance from industry mentors to use rapid prototyping tools, design thinking methodology, and an in-depth understanding of business terminologies to build sustainable businesses or innovative services, processes, and products for the region.
Shaping mindsets
Highlighting the achievements of the first cohort of InUnity programme, he said it included the establishment of three enterprises, funding support for one prototype, and four ideas that incubated at host institutions.
He said the second cohort received responses from over 500 students across 20 technical and non-technical colleges in the Mangaluru region. Of them, 55 students with an entrepreneurial mindset were selected.
During the programme, the students will work with stakeholders from sectors such as healthcare, education, fisheries, agriculture and environment. They will be coached by industry experts to create ‘minimal viable products’.
This time National Design and Research Forum (NDRF) and Selco Foundation have joined the consortium to offer support in providing industry-specific experts to guide the students.
Boosting entrepreneurship
Arjun Ranga, Chairman of CII-Karnataka, who attended the launching ceremony of the second cohort of InUnity programme through virtual mode, said India will be amazing in the next 10 years, and the youth of today will be at the cusp of this change. He urged the young entrepreneurs to take full advantage of this golden opportunity presented to them by InUnity.
In his virtual address, Sanjeev Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of KDEM, said KDEM will stand by InUnity in this journey. He hoped that this cohort would give rise to many successful entrepreneurs, especially in the domain of rural economy and agriculture.
Kanchana KV, Vice President of GAME, who participated in the event through virtual mode, said it is a great honour and privilege for GAME to collaborate with InUnity in boosting entrepreneurship in colleges and universities. She lauded the previous cohort for their exemplary results and hoped that the upcoming cohort will generate greater ideas.