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Fostering Entrepreneurial Minds across AI Accelerator Programme

Educational Campuses ...in Collobration with Infibeam Avenues Limited
...InnovateEDU

Organizations across sectors are increasingly recognizing the value of AI/ML in enhancing their efficiency.
'InnovateEDU: Fostering Entrepreneurial Minds' is a unique three-year programme, Understanding that the world is moving towards automation and intelligent systems, EDII collaborated with
wherein in collaboration with institutions across India, the focus is on building a strong Infibeam Avenues Limited and Phronetic AI (AI business unit of Infibeam Avenues Limited) to launch the one-
inclination towards entrepreneurship education. The InnovateEDU programme works in of-its-kind EDII-Infibeam 'AI Accelerator Programme'. This exclusive programme has been carefully designed
consonance with institutional objectives, faculty development and ensuring student career to empower startups and MSMEs by extending the benefits of AI and ML.

readiness among students. EDII offers strategic insights to colleges and universities that This innovative three-month programme began on March 10, 2025 with the objective of training participants
align with National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and National Assessment and to use AI/ML technology to optimise their operations by understanding the market, addressing business
Accreditation Council (NAAC) parameters, aiming to enhance institutional rankings and concerns, improving processes/products/services, and thus taking data/market-driven decisions. Startups,
accreditation outcomes. InnovateEDU enables institutions to participate actively in India's MSMEs, Chief Technology Officers, and aspiring entrepreneurs will now have an opportunity to learn how to
growing entrepreneurial landscape through regular industry connections, funding leverage the power of AI and ML for business excellence and growth. The Programme Pedagogy integrates
opportunities, and periodic support. The initiative will uniquely integrate the National experiential learning, case-based analysis, and hands-on training with AI/ML tools to ensure participants gain
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives of experiential learning, multidisciplinary education practical and strategic insights. A series of webinars were also launched to spread awareness about the
and inclusivity. 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
The programme has three core verticals: Value-added integrated entrepreneurship foundational understanding of AI and ML, covering basic concepts and their real-world applications across
programmes for Faculty & Students, Entrepreneurship Course Work & Research, and industries.
Workshops & Boot Camps. In the foundational year, the programme focuses on core
entrepreneurship principles while it emphasizes on social and technological While Dr. Piyush Sinha, Senior Professor, EDII is overseeing the implementation of the programme, Dr.
entrepreneurship in the 2nd and 3rd years. 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-
In January 2025, when the applications were opened to Higher Educational Institutions edge solutions for enhancing their efficiency, productivity, and decision-making processes.
(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.
Incubation & Accelerator Managers’ Capacity Building Programme
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. 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
Representatives from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) with (5th from R) Faculty members, Incubation Managers, Entrepreneurship Cell Coordinators, and other stakeholders from
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII. Department of Technical Education, Govt. of Gujarat, Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Gujarat,
SSIP Grantee Institutes & Universities.
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