Confluence 2024: Catalyzing Entrepreneurship, the inaugural event by the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Krea University, organized by IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University, in partnership with TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Chennai and The Chennai Angels, was hosted on 23 March, 2024 at the Hilton Chennai.
This inaugural event has emerged as a cornerstone in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from various sectors to foster a culture of innovation, exploration, and collaboration. The conclave was a vibrant assembly of minds and ideas aimed at catalyzing the entrepreneurial spirit among attendees. It featured a meticulously curated program of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that delved deep into the nuances of entrepreneurship in the modern era.
Professor Lakshmi Kumar, Dean, IFMR GSB, Krea University delivered the Welcome Address. Lakshmi Narayanan, Chancellor, Krea University, and the Chief Guest, Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director, TVS Capital Funds Limited, set the tone for the day with their insights into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. The Special Address by Srini Raju, Chairman, Sri City Foundation, further highlighted the conclave’s significance in bridging the gap between academic inquiry and industrial application.
A Keynote Address by Ashvin Chadha, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Anicut Capital, titled Connecting Dreams with Capital, emphasized the pivotal role of finance in transforming innovative ideas into tangible success. Professor Thillai Rajan from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras captivated the audience with his keynote on What Characterises Tech Start-Ups, shedding light on the distinctive attributes that set tech entrepreneurs apart.
The conclave was enriched by a diverse array of panel discussions that spanned the spectrum of entrepreneurial endeavor. The first panel, Breaking Boundaries: The Power of Disruptive Innovators, moderated by Professor R Sathyanarayanan, IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University showcased the journeys of pioneers like Mahesh Ramachandran, Founder & Chief Mentor, Tech Innovations, CIGS, Natasha Jethanandani, CTO, Kaleidofin, and Senthil Kumar, Co-founder and Board Member, Qube Cinema. The second panel, Green Ideas to Green Profits: Stories of Eco-Entrepreneurs, moderated by Professor R S Sathya Saminadan, IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University highlighted sustainable business practices with speakers including Deepak Baghel, Co-Founder and CEO, Mielo India, Deepanshu Khandelwal, CEO, Catalyst AIC, LEAD at Krea University, Karthic Rathinam, Founder, Out of the Box, Madhumitha Udaykumar and Jagadeesh Kumar, Co-founders, The Indus Valley.
The dialogue extended into the realm of Connected Efficient Inclusive: The Landscape of Smart Services, in the third panel where Akhila Rajeshwar, Executive Director, TiE Chennai, Nirmalya Pal, Founder, Campusutra, J Salim Vali, Partner, Capital Development, IIMA Ventures, Vamshi Vasudevan, Founder and CEO, Anyo App and the panelist/moderator Professor Anil Srinivasan, Co-Founder, Kruu Inc, Visiting Professor of Practice, Krea University, explored how innovative services are creating more inclusive economies.
The Convenor of Confluence 2024, Professor Vijayalakshmi C, IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University delivered the Concluding Address. Confluence 2024 Core Team comprises Professor Lakshmi Kumar, Chairperson, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Professor Vijayalakshmi C, Convenor, Confluence 2024, Professor Ankur Paliwal, Professor Kumaravel Sivakumar and Professor Sathya Saminadan R S from IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University.
The Hindu: Dive into the details of Confluence 2024 as highlighted in this article.
The Times of India: Discover the essence of entrepreneurship with a focus on social impact through Confluence 2024 here.
The Indian Express: Discover the in-depth coverage of Confluence 2024 here.
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