IIM Shillong organised bootcamp for young entrepreneurs of North East Region

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 7, 2023

The Five Days of Residential Bootcamp for Emerging Business Leaders of the North East Region concluded on Friday at the IIM Shilong campus.

The bootcamp is designed to orient students towards entrepreneurship, ideation, innovation, business modelling, the market, the economy, and leadership traits, with an overall thrust on developing entrepreneurial spirit.

A total of 55 young, energetic, and aspiring youths from across the NE Region and outside took part in the sponsored boot camp, organised by the Incubation and Enterprise Support Centre (IESC) of IIM Shillong.

The bootcamp is a funded programme by the IESC of IIM Shillong as a social commitment for the northeast youth and contribution towards the development of the NE Region.

In an interactive session, Director of IIM Shillong Prof. D.P. Goyal encouraged students to take calculated risks, move beyond their comfort zone, and build the habit of an entrepreneurial mindset. He stressed the importance of changing mindsets and having a vision and commitment to achieve more. He urged the students to take the maximum benefit of their stay at IIM Shillong, interact with experienced faculty members, utilise the available resources, and bring about transformative change. Providing training and support to young entrepreneurs is crucial for promoting innovation and economic growth. By offering in-house training on how to start a business, IIM Shillong is equipping aspiring entrepreneurs in the North East Region with the knowledge and skills they need to launch and grow successful ventures.

During the 5-day residential bootcamp, participants learned about various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as idea generation, market analysis, business planning, financial management, and marketing strategies. Participants in the bootcamp will also receive case studies, interactive sessions, and practical exercises to help them apply the concepts they learn in real-world scenarios.

Such bootcamps can provide young minds with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills needed to start and run a business. It can help them identify potential opportunities, assess market demand, develop strategies to overcome challenges and provide them with access to valuable resources, networks, and mentorship that can help them navigate the complex entrepreneurial landscape.

Ms. Kshetrimayum Anju Devi from Manipur mentioned that “it is a great experience and opportunity to be here in the Bootcamp, Emerging Business Leaders of NER at IIM Shillong. I had a wonderful experience and gained great knowledge, which will help me start my business. The marketing research lecture and the project prototype were very interesting and will be very helpful to my future plan.”

Macha Ibema Chirom, Director, Presamali (OPC) Private Limited, expressed that “all the classes were eye-openers for me, especially on successful entrepreneurs, market research, and business on Business Models. This bootcamp will give us an opportunity to grow towards our desired goals.”

Sagar Kumar Patidar from Madhya Pradesh mentioned that it was privilege to attend the bootcamp, and I must say that it was an incredible experience. It covered a wide range of topics, from leadership and strategy to innovation, that allowed us to learn and grow in a collaborative environment. We were encouraged to participate actively in discussions, which made them more valuable.

Yanglem Chanu Babyna, founder and owner of Naayeen, a handcrafted fashion and decorative accessories brand, mentioned that, as a first-generation entrepreneur, these 5 days of the bootcamp helped me understand the business ecosystem. I learned many aspects of business and management.

While Dhanesh Yadav from Indore (M.P.) mentioned that the programme was well-structured, with a mix of lectures, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises, ensuring that the participants gained a thorough understanding of the subject matter, The facilities at IIM Shillong were excellent, with comfortable accommodations, modern classrooms, and state-of-the-art technology. The campus itself is a beautiful and peaceful setting, providing an ideal environment for learning and networking. One of the highlights of the bootcamp was the opportunity to interact and network with fellow participants from diverse backgrounds and industries. IIM Shillong, which started in 2007, is playing an important role in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the growth of young entrepreneurs in the North East Region.