Pune, October 11, 2025:
The Entrepreneurship Development Cell (ED Cell), BBA–HFM, Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), successfully hosted the InnovFest Entrepreneurship Summit 2025, a flagship event dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial thinking and innovation among young minds.
The summit witnessed an overwhelming response, featuring 121 participants and 69 teams representing 45 colleges across six cities achieving an impressive overall reach of over 2,500 students. The event’s theme, “Unleash Your Ambitions,” encapsulated the drive and creativity displayed by the participants throughout the competition.
The Journey to InnovFest 2025
The journey of InnovFest 2025 began on 22nd August 2025 with an E-Cell Meetup, which set the tone for the upcoming entrepreneurial engagements. In the weeks that followed, a series of interactive workshops and mentoring sessions were conducted to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial and presentation skills.
The first round of the B-Plan competition was conducted online on 7th and 8th October 2025, where jury members evaluated the teams through PowerPoint presentations accompanied by voiceovers. After a rigorous screening process, the Top 8 teams were shortlisted and announced on the final day to compete in the grand finale at PUMBA.
Inaugural Ceremony and Keynote Addresses
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Parag Kalkar, Hon’ble Pro Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, who emphasized the University’s commitment to nurturing an innovation-driven ecosystem and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.
The summit featured keynote sessions by distinguished speakers:
- Sonam Kapse, Founder, Terrasinne Food Corp LLP | TEDx Speaker
- Ankit Bhargava, CEO, Foxberry Technologies
Both speakers shared their journeys and insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership, inspiring students to pursue their ideas with passion and perseverance.
Panel Discussion and Jury Deliberations
A panel discussion on “The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Idea to Impact” brought together accomplished industry leaders:
- Shardul Kadam, CEO & Founder, Amuk Tamuk
- Mahaveer Muttha, CEO & Founder, Birdvision
- Yogesh Thite, Founder, Entie and Meticulous B-Plan
The discussion provided valuable perspectives on startup challenges, innovation, and sustainable growth.
The competition’s jury panel comprised eminent professionals and academicians who shared their expertise and evaluated the business plans with precision and insight:
- Juhi Gupta, Founder Director, Talent Resources
- Vikram Gaikwad, Founder & CEO, Sciqus Infotech
- Rohan Patil, Founder, Coasties
- Gururaj Dangare, Startup India Mentor, Advisor – Maharashtra Govt. Center of Entrepreneurship Development
- Mahesh Kulkarni, CFO, Financial Advisor & Angel Investor
- Dr. Manasi Kurtkoti, Head, Department of Economics, Dr. D.Y. Patil ACS College
Results and Recognition
After rigorous evaluation, the winners of the InnovFest 2025 B-Plan Competition were announced as follows:
1️⃣ Wheyevolution – Protein Solution (Shruti Bhoite & Noopur Patil) From DY Patil International University
2️⃣ Tattva (Varun Bhangale) From Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering Pune
3️⃣ Pawbridge (Shruti Pingle & Swara Kulkarni) From Kaveri College Of Arts, Science and Commerce
These teams stood out for their originality, innovation, and clarity in execution, showcasing the immense entrepreneurial potential of the next generation.
Acknowledgements
The success of InnovFest 2025 was made possible through the support of its sponsors — Wisdom Career Education Pvt. Ltd (WCE) , Safar Chhand – Parakta Discoveries Pvt. Ltd. and Campus Times Pune — whose commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs was instrumental in realizing this initiative.
Special appreciation is extended to Prof. Dr. Devidas Golhar, Director – Innovation, Incubation & Linkages, SPPU, for his visionary guidance and encouragement, which continue to strengthen innovation initiatives at the University.
Sincere gratitude is also expressed to Dr. Rajesh Pahurkar (Head of Department), Ms. Deepa Prasad Venkatraman (Course Coordinator), and Mr. Amit Vikram Seth (Coordinator, ED Cell PUMBA) for their continuous mentorship, leadership, and coordination in organizing this successful summit.
About InnovFest
InnovFest Entrepreneurship Summit is an annual flagship initiative of the Entrepreneurship Development Cell, PUMBA (BBA–HFM), aimed at inspiring, educating, and connecting aspiring entrepreneurs. Through competitions, discussions, and expert interactions, the summit provides a dynamic platform for students to transform innovative ideas into impactful ventures.
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