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Fostering Entrepreneurial Minds across AI Accelerator Programme
Educational Campuses
...InnovateEDU
'InnovateEDU: Fostering Entrepreneurial Minds' is a unique three-year programme,
wherein in collaboration with institutions across India, the focus is on building a strong
inclination towards entrepreneurship education. The InnovateEDU programme works in
consonance with institutional objectives, faculty development and ensuring student career
readiness among students. EDII offers strategic insights to colleges and universities that
align with National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC) parameters, aiming to enhance institutional rankings and
accreditation outcomes. InnovateEDU enables institutions to participate actively in India's
growing entrepreneurial landscape through regular industry connections, funding
opportunities, and periodic support. The initiative will uniquely integrate the National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives of experiential learning, multidisciplinary education
and inclusivity.
The programme has three core verticals: Value-added integrated entrepreneurship
programmes for Faculty & Students, Entrepreneurship Course Work & Research, and
Workshops & Boot Camps. In the foundational year, the programme focuses on core
entrepreneurship principles while it emphasizes on social and technological
entrepreneurship in the 2nd and 3rd years.
In January 2025, when the applications were opened to Higher Educational Institutions
(HEIs) across India, 30 institutions applied, out of which 10 were selected for the first-level
presentation, held on March 5, 2025, at the EDII Ahmedabad campus. Representatives from
these HEIs gave a peek into the entrepreneurship ecosystem in their respective institutions
and the challenges face by them.
This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening entrepreneurship education in India,
aligning institutions with the vision of nurturing the next generation of innovators and
entrepreneurs.
Representatives from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) with (5th from R)
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.
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...in Collobration with Infibeam Avenues Limited
Organizations across sectors are increasingly recognizing the value of AI/ML in enhancing their efficiency.
Understanding that the world is moving towards automation and intelligent systems, EDII collaborated with
Infibeam Avenues Limited and Phronetic AI (AI business unit of Infibeam Avenues Limited) to launch the one-
of-its-kind EDII-Infibeam 'AI Accelerator Programme'. This exclusive programme has been carefully designed
to empower startups and MSMEs by extending the benefits of AI and ML.
This innovative three-month programme began on March 10, 2025 with the objective of training participants
to use AI/ML technology to optimise their operations by understanding the market, addressing business
concerns, improving processes/products/services, and thus taking data/market-driven decisions. Startups,
MSMEs, Chief Technology Officers, and aspiring entrepreneurs will now have an opportunity to learn how to
leverage the power of AI and ML for business excellence and growth. The Programme Pedagogy integrates
experiential learning, case-based analysis, and hands-on training with AI/ML tools to ensure participants gain
practical and strategic insights. A series of webinars were also launched to spread awareness about the
potential of AI and ML. The first webinar, conducted on March 18, 2025, was led by Mr. Prashant Ullegaddi,
Senior ML Manager at Phronetic AI. The session was attended by 15 participants. It focused on providing a
foundational understanding of AI and ML, covering basic concepts and their real-world applications across
industries.
While Dr. Piyush Sinha, Senior Professor, EDII is overseeing the implementation of the programme, Dr.
Reshmi Manna, Associate Professor, EDII is coordinating the intervention. This programme underscores a
commitment to advancing AI technology and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that leverages cutting-
edge solutions for enhancing their efficiency, productivity, and decision-making processes.
Incubation & Accelerator Managers’ Capacity Building Programme
Addressing the audience at the inaugural session
is Shri Hiranmay Mahanta, CEO, iHub. Other
dignitaries at the event included (R-L) Mr. Nikhil
Suthar, Lead Partnerships, India Accelerator; Shri
B.H Talati, IAS, Director of Technical Education,
Govt. of Gujarat; Shri Yogesh Brahmankar,
Innovation Director, Ministry of Education’s
Innovation Cell, Govt. of India and Dr. Satya
Ranjan Acharya, Director, Department of
Entrepreneurship Education, EDII.
Incubation & Accelerator Managers’s Capacity Building Programme was conducted during March 17th -
22nd, 2025. The training programme was organized by EDII under sponsorship of the Education
Department, Government of Gujarat and was supported by iHub Gujarat, SSIP, and India Accelerator. The
programme covered key aspects of best incubation practices, startup mentoring, funding strategies,
ecosystem building, operational management and policy frameworks through expert-led sessions, case
studies, and hands-on workshops. More than 105 Participants from across Gujarat participated including
Faculty members, Incubation Managers, Entrepreneurship Cell Coordinators, and other stakeholders from
Department of Technical Education, Govt. of Gujarat, Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Gujarat,
SSIP Grantee Institutes & Universities.
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