It all began with an email from IIT Bombay inviting students to participate in Eureka! – Asia’s largest business model competition – that helps innovators fast-track their ideas to commercial success. This was the first time that students from SP Jain Global were invited to participate, and the response was overwhelming to say the least.

Our journey began with a group of 21 passionate and driven students who came together to form the UpStart team. With a shared vision and a commitment to excellence, we embarked on a mission to create something impactful and meaningful. Leading the team as President was Aishwarya Gupta, whose leadership and vision guided us every step of the way, and as Vice President, Bhavya Agrawal, whose dedication and support ensured smooth coordination and execution of our goals.

To streamline our efforts and maximise efficiency, we divided the team into three core segments: Research, Content, and Design. Each segment was led by two heads who played a pivotal role in coordinating with their team members, as well as with the President and Vice President.

• Content Team: Headed by Piyush Soni and Charu Jain, this team was responsible for crafting compelling and insightful content that resonated with our audience. Their creativity and attention to detail ensured that our messaging was always on point.
• Research Team: Led by Parth Soni and Arnav Agarwal, this team delved deep into data and insights, providing the foundation for our strategies and decisions. Their analytical approach and thoroughness were instrumental in shaping our direction.
• Design Team: Spearheaded by Shreeya Behl and me, this team brought ideas to life through visually stunning designs. Our focus was on creating engaging and innovative visuals that complemented the work of the Content and Research teams.

Together, under the guidance of our leaders and the collaborative efforts of each segment, the UpStart team grew stronger and more cohesive. This structure not only allowed us to work efficiently but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. As we moved forward, we were excited to see how our collective efforts would unfold and the impact we would create.

However, this was just the beginning. At the time of participation, Eureka had received over 25,000 unique startup registrations, making the competition incredibly tough.

Eureka is more of a journey than an event, occurring over a 6-month period that offers participants a comprehensive experience that includes personalised mentorship, opportunities for pitching and funding, exciting cash prizes, and so much more. 

This is what I learned from my experience at E-cell:

My experience with E-cell has been nothing short of transformative. Competing with over 2,500 teams was both challenging and exhilarating, especially since it was our first time participating in such a large-scale event. Despite being newcomers, we managed to secure a spot in the top 15, which was a testament to our hard work, dedication, and the immense learning we gained along the way.

Each competition was an opportunity to grow

We were constantly exposed to innovative ideas, diverse perspectives, and real-world business challenges. The exposure we received was unparalleled, and it pushed us to think creatively and strategically. Every round brought new lessons, and we embraced each experience with enthusiasm and a hunger to improve.

Experiences at the Entrepreneurial Showdown

One of the most valuable aspects of my E-cell journey was organising the Entrepreneurial Showdown at our campus. Organising an event of this scale was no small feat—it required coordination, leadership, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. As many as 30 teams from the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) & Bachelor of Data Science (BDS) entered to participate. To help narrow down the finalist, Professor Shrinivas Shikaripurkar reached out to his peers from the industry that included an ex-VP of Deutsche Bank, an ex-Director of IBM, a Stanford seed participant & a CEO of a successful firm & the Sales Director of a technology firm. What followed was a grilling Shark-Tank-style pitching that brought down the 20 handpicked teams to a single winner.

The Showdown also gave me incredible insights into how young minds can come up with unique and innovative business ideas. It was inspiring to see the creativity and passion of my peers, and it reinforced my belief in the power of entrepreneurship.

Deep in the race

As we progressed, the challenges became tougher, but so did our determination. The culmination of our journey was the finals at the IIT-Bombay campus, which was an experience on a whole new level. Meeting the competitors we had been up against for the past six months was both thrilling and humbling.

Although we didn’t win, the lessons we learned were far more valuable. The entire journey deepened our understanding of business and entrepreneurship. It taught us about market dynamics, problem-solving, and the importance of innovation. More importantly, it showed us the value of perseverance and the mindset required to succeed in the entrepreneurial world.

My final thoughts

Looking back, my time with E-cell was a life-changing experience. It wasn’t just about the competition; it was about the growth, the connections, and the knowledge we gained. It shaped my perspective on entrepreneurship and instilled a passion for creating meaningful impact through business. E-cell was more than an event—it was a journey that prepared me for the challenges and opportunities of the real world.

About the Author

Krisha Shah is a 2024 BBA student currently studying at our Mumbai campus.