IIT Bombay marked a significant milestone with the plaque-unveiling ceremony for the upcoming Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship (DSSE) building. This state-of-the-art facility is set to become a cornerstone of innovation, equipping students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with world-class resources to bring groundbreaking ideas to life.

The momentous occasion was graced by IITB Distinguished Alumnus, Mr. Bharat Desai, and his spouse, Ms. Neerja Sethi, the esteemed benefactors of DSSE.

The event also welcomed several IITB dignitaries, including:

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay
Prof. Ravindra Gudi, Dean, Alumni and Corporate Relations
Prof. Milind Atrey, Deputy Director, (Academics, Research and Translation), IIT Bombay
Prof. K.V. Krishna Rao, Deputy Director, (Finance, Infrastructure and Administration), IIT Bombay
Prof Vedagiri Perumal, Dean (Infrastructure, Planning, and Support), IIT Bombay
Prof Anu Narasimhan, Head – DSSE

They were joined by the Chief Guest for the occasion, Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice-Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Education. Their presence highlighted the collective vision of fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that bridges academia, industry, and cutting-edge research.

A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration

The new DSSE building (set to become operational later this year) is a 115,000 sq. ft facility strategically located next to the IIT Bombay library and is designed to offer specialized spaces for design, prototyping, manufacturing, co-working, and pre-incubation programmes. The Institute hopes that these dedicated areas will encourage seamless collaboration among students, faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, and mentors, creating an ecosystem that nurtures ideas from conception to commercialization.

The upcoming facility will feature cutting-edge learning spaces, including:

–  A state-of-the-art Makerspace, designed to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs and startup technologies
–  Design Thinking & Recording Studios
–  Co-working Labs and a Startup Cafe
–  Thematic Labs
–  Tinkerers’ Lab
–  Proof-of-Concept Lab
–  Manufacturing/Heavy Equipment Labs

With a strong emphasis on experiential learning and interdisciplinary engagement, the DSSE building aims to accelerate entrepreneurship education, startup incubation, and technological innovation. Once fully equipped, it will serve as a launchpad for the next generation of trailblazing entrepreneurs, further strengthening IIT Bombay’s reputation as a leader in fostering innovation-driven enterprises.

As the Institute embarks on this new chapter, the DSSE facility stands as a testament to IIT Bombay’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurial minds and shaping the future of innovation.

Mr. Bharat Desai highlighted his vision for the new facility and said, “IIT Bombay has the expertise and the convening power to bring together the best minds in entrepreneurship and innovation. The new building will cater to the educational and research needs of the IIT Bombay community and foster extensive community connections to the business industry. Our hope is that the building will  bustle with student activity, mentorship, and research, where the ‘lab to market’ concept truly takes shape and helps grow commercialization.”

DSSE ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY 2025

Bridging Academia and Enterprise: Key Takeaways

The plaque unveiling event and the walkthrough of the new DSSE building set the stage for a day dedicated to advancing the spirit of innovation and enterprise at IIT Bombay. Following this milestone, DSSE hosted a day-long symposium on “Catalyzing University Entrepreneurship” and brought together policymakers, industry experts, academicians, and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore the transformative role of academic institutions in fostering entrepreneurship.

In his address, Prof. Kedare emphasized that even as the debate on whether entrepreneurship can be taught continues, it should not hinder efforts to teach and practice entrepreneurship. He highlighted the importance of experiential learning in developing an entrepreneurial mindset. He also noted that failures serve as a crucial learning mechanism, helping entrepreneurs eliminate ineffective approaches and refine their strategies for success.

Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice-Chairman, AICTE & Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Education, delivered an insightful address on the need for a robust entrepreneurial mindset within academic institutions. His speech emphasized the critical role played by universities in shaping future innovators and empowering young entrepreneurs. Dr. Jere highlighted the government’s proactive efforts to promote entrepreneurship by pushing boundaries and creating a conducive environment for innovation and startups in higher educational institutions. He also urged stakeholders to envision the future of classrooms and educational institutions in 2047 and beyond, emphasizing the need to align entrepreneurial education with emerging global trends and technological advancements.

In his keynote address, Prof. Rishikesha Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore, outlined key elements for developing entrepreneurial ecosystems in academic institutions. These included facilitating academic entrepreneurs, implementing supportive policies for application development, leveraging alumni networks, adopting best practices from international universities, and highlighting initiatives undertaken by IIM Bangalore. He also emphasized the importance of a collaborative innovation ecosystem, where academia, industry, and policymakers work together to drive impactful research and commercialization.

Mr. Bharat Desai and Ms. Neerja Sethi, the benefactors of DSSE, joined the event, engaging with students, budding entrepreneurs, and startup founders in meaningful discussions.

The event also featured a thought-provoking fireside chat. The discussion revolved around strategies for fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem within higher education institutions, bridging industry-academia gaps, and ensuring that research translates into real-world impact. The Fireside Chat featured:

–  Prof. Rishikesha Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore
–  Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay
–  Mr. Bharat Desai, Co-founder, Syntel
–  Prof. Ravi Gudi, Dean ACR, IIT Bombay

This was followed by two Panel Discussions.

Panel Discussion 1: Entrepreneurship Education & Research

The panel explored the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship education, the need for interdisciplinary approaches, and the role of research in driving startup success. Moderated by Prof. Sankalp Pratap (DSSE), the session featured distinguished speakers including:

–  Prof. Basab Chakraborty (IIT Kharagpur)
–  Prof. Srivaridhini Jha (IIM Bangalore)
–  Prof. Amrutur Bharadwaj (IISc)
–  Prof. Raj Krishnan Shankar (Great Lakes Institute)

Panel Discussion 2: Programmes & Policies – Translational Research & Commercialization

The discussion focused on funding mechanisms, policy frameworks, and best practices for scaling research-driven ventures. This panel was moderated by Prof. Rajesh Gopinathan (DSSE) and delved into policies that facilitate the commercialization of research and its real-world applications. Panellists included:

–  Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay (IIT Kanpur)
–  Dr. Kalaivani Ganesan (DBT)
–  Ashwin Raguraman (Bharat Fund)
–  Prof. Vikram Vishal (IIT Bombay)

Later, Prof. Devdip Purkayastha (DSSE) along with dignitaries Prof. Anand D. Kusre and Dr. Ajay Sethi felicitated outstanding student entrepreneurs and innovators who showcased exemplary entrepreneurial achievements with the Anand D. Kusre awards instituted by Padma Bhushan recipient Prof. Jagdish Sheth of Emory University. Prof. Milind Atrey, Deputy Director and President IIC, IIT Bombay, felicitated outstanding student innovators. Other events included the IDEAS Program Venture Showcase: A Glimpse into the Future, Insightful Poster Presentations, and a skit performance by DSSE students titled Entrepreneur Speak “Startup vs. Sanity” that featured DSSE entrepreneurs who shared personal insights into the challenges and triumphs of balancing innovation with sustainability. Their experiences spotlighted the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the startup ecosystem.

Finally, Prof. Anu Narasimhan, Head, DSSE, presented the achievements and upcoming initiatives of DSSE and outlined the future goals for endorsing entrepreneurship among students and faculty. Prof. Narasimhan pointed out that over the years, DSSE has trained 4300 students, mentored over 700, helped 340+ venture teams start on their entrepreneurial journey, and over 100+ startups have been spawned by DSSE students.

The DSSE Entrepreneurship Day 2025 reinforced IIT Bombay’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. By integrating education, research, and industry collaboration, the Institute continues to be a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas and transformative ventures. As IIT Bombay nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs, it remains at the forefront of driving economic growth, technological advancement, and global impact.

reply_all back reply_all back