St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata organised a one-day startup event titled “Startup Premier League” on November 8, 2025 at the university campus.

It was organized by the Institutional Innovation Council (IIC) in collaboration with the Centre for Incubation, Consultancy & Entrepreneurship (CICE) of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, in association with Techaarohan Bharat Foundation (Startup Ki Pathshala).

The event aimed to provide a dynamic platform for students and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore innovative ideas, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, and foster collaboration across institutions. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from various educational institutions from New Town and Salt Lake, including SXUK.

Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK, delivered the inaugural address on the significance of entrepreneurship and innovation in nation-building. Dr. Debasish Ghosh, Head, Technology Business Development & Incubation, Indian Statistical Institute, was the keynote speaker. He focussed on fostering a startup ecosystem and supporting early-stage innovators.

Dr. Arnab Basu, Co-Founder & CEO, Yancha Positive Parenting LLP, discussed the importance of mentorship and perseverance in entrepreneurship and provided an overview of the programme. The Discovery Round Pitching Sessions allowed participating teams to present their startup ideas before a panel of successful entrepreneurs. The jury provided constructive feedback on market feasibility, innovation, and business model scalability.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Prabhat Das of Techaarohan Bharat Foundation (Startup Ki Pathshala), who highlighted the upcoming phases aimed at nurturing innovative ideas and transforming them into viable ventures.

Prof. Soma Sur

President, IIC & Hony. Director, LCERI