Roorkee, Uttarakhand | May 19–20, 2025
Organized by FIED IIM Kashipur | In association with Startup Uttarakhand, Directorate of Industries, Genesis QUIC, AICTE, MOE’s Innovation Cell, and IIC
Quantum University, Roorkee, successfully hosted the Startup Bootcamp 2025, a two-day flagship entrepreneurial development program, on May 19–20, 2025, under the aegis of the Startup Uttarakhand initiative, with the support of FIED-IIM Kashipur, Genesis – QUIC, and several national innovation partners. The event served as a robust platform for ideation, mentorship, and networking, targeting aspiring student entrepreneurs, startup enthusiasts, and early-stage founders from across Uttarakhand.
Designed to provide practical exposure, strategic guidance, and mentorship, the bootcamp aligned with the larger vision of strengthening the startup ecosystem in the region by enabling access to knowledge, opportunities, and incubation pathways.
Day 1: Foundational Frameworks, Visionary Voices & Entrepreneurial Inspiration
The first day commenced with a ceremonial inauguration, including the lighting of the lamp, prayers to Goddess Saraswati, and the National Anthem, setting a culturally grounded and respectful tone.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Mr. Varun Tiwari, CEO of Genesis – Quantum University Innovation Council (QUIC), inaugurated the session by highlighting the urgent need to embed innovation and entrepreneurial thinking within the academic framework. He emphasized that education must go beyond classroom learning and foster real-world problem-solving capabilities among students.
Mr. Uttam Kumar Tiwari, General Manager – DIC Haridwar, shed light on the role of District Industries Centres in nurturing startups at the grassroots level and discussed various government initiatives and schemes available to entrepreneurs in Uttarakhand. Mr. Kunal Jadhav, Assistant Manager, DIC Haridwar, further encouraged the student participants by elaborating on the available state-supported mechanisms that could help their ideas thrive.
Keynote Address: Driving India’s Future Through Entrepreneurship
A pivotal moment of the day was the keynote address by Dr. Kalpana Saini, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Uttarakhand. She commended Quantum University and its leadership for taking bold steps in developing a culture of innovation and enterprise on campus.
Dr. Saini passionately spoke about India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape, specifically stressing the role of startups in strengthening national security through defence innovation. Quoting the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she urged youth to transform into job creators and take charge of India’s development trajectory. She pointed out that nurturing startups, particularly in strategic areas like defence, not only bolsters economic strength but also asserts India’s position in the global innovation ecosystem.
Expert Knowledge Sessions & Entrepreneurial Learning
The bootcamp included impactful knowledge-sharing sessions and practical workshops aimed at fostering entrepreneurial thinking:
Business Problem Identification – Mr. Ram Kumar, CEO, FIED IIM Kashipur
Mr. Ram Kumar conducted a powerful session on identifying real-world business problems. He referenced global and Indian startups like Phool, Hemp, and Anagh to showcase how successful businesses stem from recognizing and addressing meaningful challenges.
Business Model Canvas Workshop – Prof. Ashish Kumar, IIM Kashipur
Participants gained hands-on experience in business modeling through an interactive Business Model Canvas workshop. Prof. Kumar provided a strategic blueprint for startups to articulate their value propositions, customer segments, revenue models, and cost structures.
DIC Haridwar – Schemes & Support
DIC Haridwar conducted a comprehensive session detailing the Uttarakhand Startup Policy, subsidies, financial assistance, mentorship support, and infrastructure facilitation available to budding entrepreneurs in the region.
Pitch Training & Mentorship
Mentors from IIM Kashipur, including Mr. Prashant Kukreti, Mr. Rasil, and Mr. Priyank, delivered personalized guidance on preparing investor-ready startup pitches, helping participants build effective communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
The first day concluded with a reflection on key takeaways by Mr. Varun Tiwari and the university anthem, celebrating the spirit of innovation and the empowerment of student entrepreneurs.
Day 2: Ideation to Incubation – Pitching, Evaluation & Networking
The second day of the bootcamp, held under the RAMP Program, brought together 23 startups from various sectors to present their ideas to an esteemed panel of mentors and judges. This day served as the culmination of learning into action.
Keynote: Embracing Innovation for Economic Growth
Mr. Anupam Dwivedi, Joint Director, Industries, Government of Uttarakhand, opened the day by highlighting the economic impact of entrepreneurship. He urged students to pursue innovative paths and underscored the importance of creating solutions that address local and national problems.
Startup Pitches: Assessment & Feedback
Each startup had 10 minutes to pitch their business idea, followed by an engaging Q&A session. The judging panel, including Mr. Ram Kumar, Prof. Ashish Kumar, and other industry experts, evaluated the ideas based on:
- Innovation and Creativity
- Feasibility and Market Fit
- Social and Environmental Impact
- Scalability and Execution Strategy
Several startups were selected for incubation and advanced mentorship, thereby unlocking future growth opportunities.
Networking & Mentorship Opportunities
The event also facilitated strategic networking opportunities between participants, startup mentors, government officials, and academia. This created a collaborative environment for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and initiating future ventures.
Vision Sharing – Genesis QUIC
Mr. Varun Tiwari and Ms. Soni Anish Annie presented the vision and roadmap of the Genesis QUIC Incubator, emphasizing its mission to act as a catalyst for entrepreneurial development at Quantum University.
Outcomes & Impact
- Incubation Support for Top Startups
Select ventures received offers for incubation support and long-term mentorship. - Student Empowerment
Participants left the event with enhanced confidence, strategic insights, and practical startup tools to pursue entrepreneurship. - Strengthening of the Regional Startup Ecosystem
The bootcamp laid the foundation for collaborative innovation and stakeholder engagement in the Uttarakhand startup landscape.
Acknowledgements
Quantum University extends heartfelt gratitude to:
- Mr. Anupam Dwivedi, Mr. Ram Kumar, and Prof. Ashish Kumar for their unwavering guidance.
- FIED IIM Kashipur, Startup Uttarakhand, Genesis QUIC, AICTE, MOE’s Innovation Cell, and IIC for their steadfast support.
- All participating startups, volunteers, faculty, and student coordinators for contributing to the event’s immense success.
We also thank our internal team of academic leaders and coordinators, including:
- Dr. Satender Kumar, Dr. Manish Shrivastava, Dr. Brij Mohan Singh
- Dr. Amrita, Dr. Himanshu Chaurasia, Dr. Ashish Saini, Ms. Annie
- Dr. Mausmi Goel, Dr. Nirmesh Sharma, Dr. Varsha Gupta,
- Event Coordinators Ms. Shalini Verma and Ms. Madhulika Mittal
