India, 28th December 2023: MDI Gurgaon, renowned for its excellence in management education, recently hosted the highly anticipated MDI Megaminds Startup Pitch event, marking its fifth successful year since its launch in November 2018. Founded and led by MDI alums, this initiative has evolved into a prominent platform, supporting over 130 startups and facilitating connections with more than 50 investors. The event is a pivotal platform for emerging startups to present their ideas and business models while connecting with potential investors and stakeholders.
The event featured an impressive lineup of innovative startups looking for investment. MDI Megaminds stands apart from traditional pitch events by prioritizing networking, investor inquiries, and initiating discussions, an experience similar to appearing on the renowned show “Shark Tank”.
Excitement filled the venue as everyone looked forward to hearing from different and cool startups. First on stage was Pine Cottage & Co., represented by Vidhi Panwar and Ritwij Choudhary. Vidhi, the co-founder, shared the inspiring journey of starting the venture with a modest investment and emphasized the company’s commitment to natural skincare. As India’s first powder skincare brand, Pine Cottage & Co. aims to expand operations through third-party manufacturing facilities in Aurangabad to keep up with increasing demand for their 100% natural offerings.
Next in line was P2PCarz, presented by M. Rehman Qureshi and Tasneem Vakil. This startup, India’s first C2C marketplace for used cars, boasts high-security measures and competitive pricing. The founders ensured a seamless transaction process by utilizing government websites like Vahan for verification, creating a trustworthy platform for buyers and sellers.
Parikshit took the spotlight as the final pitch, presenting their one-stop recruitment solution to simplify hiring experiences. Co-founders Ishita Agghi and Raghav Ailawadi elaborated on the benefits of their innovative approach to streamlining and accelerating recruitment processes.
Under the dedicated leadership of Sanya Duggal, Paramjit S. Lamba, Raj Chetan, Ashish Singla, Mayank Bansal, and Manish Verma, alongside invaluable guidance from esteemed faculty member Prof. Ruchi Agarwal, the event has evolved into a significant force in the startup ecosystem.
The MDI Megaminds team members shared insights into its inception and role in supporting the startup ecosystem. They said, “Since our inception in November 2018, supported by MDI, we’ve curated bi-monthly events that prioritize authenticity, selecting startups based on merit from website submissions and promotions. Our aim has always been to foster genuine innovation rather than commercial interests, leading to well-balanced presentations and a growing engagement from the MDI community over the past five years.”
As the day unfolded, MDI Gurgaon hosted another remarkable event, the National Alumni Meet 2023 (NAM), on the same day. NAM 2023 featured four distinct segments, starting with the Retired Faculty Felicitation Ceremony held in the Auditorium with addresses by Alcom, Lead Alcom Dr. Kanwal Kapil, and MDI Director Dr. Arvind Sahay, culminating in the felicitation of retired faculty members.
Later in the evening, the Official Event Inauguration took place at Library Greens. The event began with an introduction by Alcom, followed by addresses from Dr. Arvind Sahay, the Director of MDI, and Dr. Anurag Batra, President of the MDI Alumni Association. Dr. Kanwal Kapil, Lead Alcom, and Mr. Souradip Sarkar, JFK Moderator, added their insights to the mix, creating a dynamic atmosphere for the evening.
The MDI Showcase, another segment at Library Greens, was an opportunity for faculty research and student achievements to be honored and celebrated. This showcase featured an introduction to MDI, faculty research videos, and student accomplishment presentations.
As the night progressed, the Cultural Showcase took center stage. It featured captivating performances by Mandolins, the music team and Sole2Soul, the dance team, showcasing artistic talents within the MDI community. This cultural extravaganza added vibrancy and excitement to this annual event!
The event culminated with an electrifying dance performance, uniting attendees in celebration of talent and creativity. Together with other segments, this Cultural Showcase provided a holistic experience highlighting startups’ accomplishments and showcasing the MDI community’s cultural diversity and collaborative spirit.
To know more, visit: https://www.mdi.ac.in/
