Network18 @ IIT Bombay’s 21st E-Summit 2025: Ideas, Capital and the Next Generation of Builders
On December 11th and 12th, 2025, IIT Bombay hosted the 21st edition of its flagship E-Summit, recognized as Asia’s largest entrepreneurship conclave. This event brought together India’s brightest entrepreneurial minds, global leaders, and ambitious students to share ideas and insights.
Day One: Setting the Stage
The first day of the summit set a vibrant agenda, featuring keynote sessions from some of India’s most influential leaders. Notable speakers included:
- Mr. Anil Agarwal – Founder, Vedanta Resources
- Smt. Smriti Irani – Former Union Minister
- Mr. Aman Gupta – Co-Founder and Former CMO of BOAT
- Mr. Kunal Bahl and Mr. Rohit Bansal – Founders, Titan Capital
These leaders shared valuable insights on topics such as leadership, scaling businesses, resilience, and the evolving landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
Network18 in Conversation
One of the highlights was a conversation moderated by Neha Bothra, Associate Editor of Forbes India, with Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani, Founder of Thyrocare Technologies. The discussion, titled “How to Build Big Without Burning Cash: The Thyrocare Playbook,” focused on sustainable growth and maintaining control over costs and processes.
In another engaging session, Chandra R. Srikanth, Executive Editor of Moneycontrol, spoke with Ashish Chauhan, CEO of NSE, about “IPO India: The Rise of Public Startups and Retail Investors.” This conversation delved into the evolving IPO environment, emphasizing the increasing participation of retail investors and its implications for companies aspiring to meet public listing standards.
The Ecosystem in Motion
Beyond the main stage, E-Summit 2025 prioritized hands-on learning and real-world exposure. The finals of Eureka!, IIT Bombay’s business model competition, showcased startups pitching their ideas to an expert jury. Other competitions, such as the National Entrepreneurship Challenge (NEC) and Eureka! Junior, encouraged participation across various age groups, while i-Hack challenged participants to solve practical problems under time constraints.
The summit’s ecosystem areas were bustling with activity. The Networking Arena facilitated structured interactions among founders, mentors, investors, and incubators. The Ten Minute Million (TTMM) segment saw three startups secure funding totaling INR 35 Lakhs through rapid-fire pitching. Additionally, the Startup Expo featured over 50 companies, allowing for direct engagement with potential customers, while the Incubator Summit provided early-stage teams with essential guidance on growth pathways.
Running concurrently, the Internship and Job Fair (IJF) connected students with recruiters, acting as a practical bridge between campus talent and industry demand. Competitions like Ace the Case, Capital Quest, and Fishtank tested participants’ strategic and creative skills, concluding an eventful first day.
Day Two: Global Perspectives and Digital Frontiers
The momentum continued on the second day with keynote addresses from Mr. Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, and Ms. Rubika Liyaquat, Consulting Editor at News18 India. Their sessions explored leadership, technology, and the intersection of media and entrepreneurship.
A special session titled “Entrepreneurship versus Higher Studies,” featuring Mr. Rakesh Mathur, Founder of Gupshup.ai, and Mr. Vijender Chauhan, Influencer and Motivational Speaker, provided clarity for students navigating their career pathways.
Other notable speakers included:
- Mr. Ankur Warikoo – Founder, WebVeda
- Mr. Pranjal Kamra – Author
- Ms. Nandita Sinha – CEO, Myntra
- Mr. Demetris Skourides – Chief Scientist, The Republic of Cyprus
On the TTMM stage, five startups pitched their ideas, with two securing funding on the second day. A significant addition to the agenda was the Influencer Summit, which connected entrepreneurship with digital identity and the burgeoning creator economy.
A Legacy Reinforced
The summit concluded with awards ceremonies celebrating the winners of Eureka!, NEC, and Entre-MUN, recognizing the innovation and perseverance of the participating students. Over two dynamic days, the E-Summit became a crucible for ideas, collaboration, and opportunities, further cementing its reputation as a launchpad for the next generation of innovators.
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