VIA offers hand-holding platform for start ups, business units

There is no dearth of people in Vidarbha region who want to become entrepreneurs. However the lacking factor is proper guidance. While some people have multiple ideas and wish to get their ideas validated and short-list the most viable idea for taking the entrepreneurial plunge, there are others who already have short-listed their idea and domain, but are not sure how to proceed and are looking for mentoring. There are still others, who have already started their venture but are looking for growth in business. With this background, Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) Entrepreneurship Forum and a team of Nagpur-based start-up mentor, led by Deepak Menaria are dedicated towards fostering the start-up ecosystem in India. The ‘Gurukul Helpdesk’ was launched in November 2016 with the following objectives:

- i) Guide aspiring entrepreneurs, having a business idea, in launching their start-up/business venture. ii) Help established / seasoned start-ups in diversification of their business venture. iii) Serve as an innovation / technology enabler for start-ups and entrepreneurs. The Gurukul Helpdesk is conducted once every month from 5 pm to 7 pm at VIA office, Udyog Bhavan, Civil Lines, Nagpur and is free of cost for the beneficiaries. Under this initiative, there is one-on-one discussion of mentors with the beneficiaries around the ideas /existing business and requirements of the beneficiaries. Till date, more than 40 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs have received the benefit of one-on-one mentoring under Lemon Gurukul Helpdesk, spanning over 27 months.

The beneficiaries ranged from aspiring entrepreneurs to early stage entrepreneurs as well as family business owners and are looking to expand their business. Beneficiaries are given the opportunity of additional mentoring session on need basis. Industry domains of the candidates were very diverse domains which includes Nutraceuticals, IT services, Travel, Security, Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Marketing and more.

The Avg. Satisfaction Index, calculated based on post-session feedback by beneficiaries was almost 89%. The mentors for the sessions includes stalwarts like Nitin Gujarathi who is the Technology faculty, Deepak Menaria, whose domain is validating ideas, Mukesh Ashar who is a Behavior Science expert and Anita Rao, Convenor of VIA Entrepreneurship Forum. Interested startups or stressed business units, who are in need of mentoring, may feel free to contact VIA Office (0712-2554090/2561211) or Ashwin Korde (0712-6533222) for the assistance.