The ‘Envision’ 2024 Entrepreneurship Summit, held from April 4th to April 5th, 2024, at Assam down town University in Guwahati, Assam, stands as a pivotal event in the landscape of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in Northeast India. Organized by the Directorate of Innovation, Startup and Acceleration (DISA) alongside down town Venture Labs Foundation, the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), and E-cell, and supported by key stakeholders such as Assam Startup, Meity Startup Hub, and Vikshit Bharat Abhiyan, this summit exemplifies the vibrant potential of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

‘Envision’ 2024 brought together a diverse assembly of participants, from budding entrepreneurs to seasoned investors, creating a dynamic platform for networking, learning, and collaboration. The summit's agenda featured a startup competition, workshops, a hackathon, and panel discussions, all designed to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and their realization into successful ventures.

Inauguration

The inauguration of ‘Envision’ 2024 was graced by distinguished luminaries such as Sri PVSLN Murty, Chairman and Managing Director of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd.; Smt. Vandana Srivastava, Jurisdictional Director of Software Technology Park of India (STPI), Guwahati; and Dr. Y. Jayanta Singh, Executive Director of National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), Assam. These esteemed guests set the tone for the event, sharing valuable insights into the landscape of entrepreneurship and the role of technological advancements in driving economic growth in Northeast India.

Highlights of Envision 2024

BizStorm, held on April 4th and 5th,2024 was a focal point of ‘Envision’ 2024, drawing a pool of 83 ambitious startups eager to showcase their innovative solutions. On the first day, a rigorous screening round was conducted by a distinguished panel of judges, including Mr. Pankaj Shukla, Additional Director of NIELIT; Dr. Simanta Kalita, CEO of AIC Selco Foundation; Prof (Dr.) Sunandan Baruah, Director of Innovation, Startup & Acceleration (DISA) at Assam down town University; Dr. Tania Paul Das, Incubation Manager at BioNest IASST; Mr. Kankan Jyoti Kharghoria, Project Manager at Ernst & Young (EY), Assam Startup; and Mr. Manoj Kumar Das, Former Managing Director of NERAMAC.

The selection process whittled down the participants to 21 startups who advanced to the investor round on the following day. In this decisive phase, startups presented their business models to a panel that included Mr. Aditya Arora, CEO of Faad Capital; Mr. Raja Singh Bhurji, CEO of Startup Ventures; Mr. Suresh Narashima from Co-Create Ventures; and Mr. Nickson Sharma, Venture Capitalist at NVCL. This session not only provided financial support but also offered mentorship, preparing startups for market challenges. Biocomfort emerged as the winner with their groundbreaking biotechnology solution, while Jolkuwori impressed with their unique business concept, securing the second position.

The SparX competition, held on April 5th, provided a platform for students to present creative ideas, new products, scientific models, and educational charts. The event was split into two categories: Category 1 for students in grades 9 to 12 and Category 2 for undergraduate and graduate students. A total of fifteen groups from diverse educational backgrounds participated.

Judged by experts like Prof. Navajit Saikia from Assam Engineering College's Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering and Dr. Lachit Dutta from Gauhati University's Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, SparX celebrated the winners during Envision's valedictory celebration. Tech Born and GC won first and second place in Category 1, respectively, while Team Hemta and Visual Virtuosos led in Category 2. SparX was not only a competition but a significant learning experience that fostered problem-solving skills and scientific discourse among students.

EmergeX, held on April 4th and 5th,2024 featured a vibrant Startup Exhibition. Hosted by DISA, the event offered a platform for entrepreneurs at various stages of business development to showcase their products, services, and concepts. From premium plant seedlings to artisanal dolls and consulting services, the exhibition demonstrated the diversity and creativity within Assam’s startup ecosystem. The lively participation and positive reception underscored the importance of such events in promoting entrepreneurial spirit and fostering networking opportunities.

Innovathon, held in collaboration with Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC), took place on April 4th and 5th. This hackathon focused on solving pressing regional issues, engaging 25 teams from various institutions. Challenges included waterlogging, agricultural efficiency, mobile health, waste management, and traffic systems. The participants presented innovative and practical solutions to these problems. Judges like Mr. Sanjeev Sarma, Founder Director & CEO of Webx Technologies; Mr. Madhurjya Prakash Baruah, Additional Director at Software Technology Park of India; Dr. Rupesh Mandal, Assistant Professor at Assam Don Bosco University; and Dr. Nupur Choudhury, Director of SenseIO Private Limited, provided critical feedback. Team Mnemonics won the top honor, followed by Team Code Mavericks, showcasing the potential of student-led innovation in addressing real-world issues.

The Kreators' Craft hackathon on April 5th provided a prestigious platform for content creators. Participants were tasked with creating a 30 to 60-second video on an assigned topic, showcasing their innovative and storytelling skills. Esteemed filmmaker Mr. Asutosh Kashyap judged the contest. Jishnu Bora's team won the first prize with their exceptional submission, followed by Suranjit Chanda's team in second place. This event highlighted the evolving landscape of digital content creation and celebrated the fusion of traditional filmmaking techniques with modern approaches.

The "Creators Meet" held on 4th April, 2024 showcased a pivotal panel discussion titled "Exploring the Creators Economy in Northeast India: Opportunities and Future Prospect," brought together experts to discuss the creative and entrepreneurial opportunities in the region. The panel included distinguished members such as Mr. Asutosh Kashyap, a renowned filmmaker and director of photography, who, along with Mr. Aboyab Bhuyan, Miss. Ankita Dipi, and Mr. Ahiran Sarma, contributed insightful perspectives on the challenges and potential within Northeast India's creator’s ecosystem. Each panelist shared experiences and expertise, highlighting unique solutions for overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities in the creative sector.

This panel not only illuminated the diverse capabilities of Northeast India’s talents but also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to drive creative and economic growth. The dialogue from this session enriched the "Creators Meet," marking it as a key feature of Envision 2024, and helping to shape the future landscape for creators and innovators in the area.

Creators Meet

The summit included a significant panel discussion on 'Investment Landscape for Startups in Northeast India: Challenges and Opportunities'. Moderated by Dr. Samir Baruah, the session featured experts like CA Mrinmoy Pathak, Director of YouthCove Foundation; Mr. Rupam Nath from SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd.; Mr. Pranta Pratim Singha, Chief Manager at NRL; Mr. Nava Baro, Co-founder of NEAngel Investment; and Mr. Nickson Sharma, Venture Capitalist at NVCL. The panel addressed challenges in accessing funding and explored practical solutions to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

Panel Discussion

The ‘Envision’ 2024 summit has significantly contributed to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Northeast India. By celebrating creativity, facilitating meaningful connections, and paving the way for visionary ideas to become tangible successes, ‘Envision’ 2024 has laid a robust foundation for the future of innovation in the region.

At ‘Envision’ 2024, participants gained invaluable insights through a series of expert-led workshops aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial skills and understanding contemporary business trends. On April 4th, Mr. Abhijit Bhuyan conducted a workshop on "Latest Trends in OSINT and Data Science", focusing on Open-Source Intelligence and Data Science. With a rich background in IT and biomedical instrumentation, Mr. Bhuyan shared his extensive knowledge on data security and the latest technological advancements. He emphasized the critical role of innovative solutions in addressing complex challenges, equipping attendees with a robust understanding of how to leverage data and technology in entrepreneurial ventures.

Continuing on April 5th, Mr. Aaquib Hussain, Co-Founder & Chief Integrator at FreeFlow, led the session "From Ideas to Impact: Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking & Startup Success in Academia". He provided practical guidance on embedding entrepreneurial thinking within academic environments, underlining how academic institutions can foster entrepreneurial capacities. Later the same day, Mr. Simanta Goswami, Director of Training and Development at Shine Associates, presented "Latest Trends in Marketing and Branding". He explored current trends in digital media and e-commerce, offering valuable insights into modern marketing strategies. This session was crucial for participants looking to adapt to the evolving digital marketplace and effectively promote their startups. Collectively, these workshops provided a comprehensive toolkit for aspiring entrepreneurs, blending theoretical knowledge with practical applications to drive success in the competitive business landscape.

Workshops