Lucknow initiative brings business leaders and startup founders together to explore AI-led growth, mentorship and cross-industry collaborations
Lucknow: Strengthening its efforts to build a connected entrepreneurial ecosystem, Jaipuria Incubation Foundation (JIF), the entrepreneurship and incubation initiative of Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow, hosted Founder’s Circle– Diwali Gala Night on November 13 at Hotel Lineage, Gomti Nagar. The gathering brought together established entrepreneurs, industry leaders and emerging founders to explore business opportunities, exchange industry insights and build meaningful professional connections.
Positioned as a community-led entrepreneurial platform, Founder’s Circle aims to bridge the gap between established businesses and emerging ventures through industry engagement, knowledge sharing, mentorship and potential collaborations.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Jyoti Dewan, Chairperson, Jaipuria Incubation Foundation, followed by an address by Dr. Sushma Vishnani, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow, who emphasised the importance of industry-connected entrepreneurial ecosystems in supporting innovation and business growth.
Dr. Vishnani said, “Entrepreneurship thrives when ideas, experience and opportunities come together. Through Founder’s Circle, we aim to connect established business leaders with emerging entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation and meaningful collaborations.”
In the session ‘Intelligence That Accelerates’, Arjun Singh, Senior Technical Account Manager, Camunda, examined the role of Artificial Intelligence, process orchestration and Agentic AI in reshaping business operations. He highlighted how intelligent automation can streamline workflows, improve decision-making and help entrepreneurs build scalable and efficient business models.
A key highlight was the industry knowledge-sharing segment, focusing on business transformation, evolving consumer expectations and emerging technologies. Kshitiz Gupta, Director and Head of Marketing, Chhappan Bhog Pvt. Ltd., in his session ‘Tradition, Reimagined’, discussed how legacy brands can preserve their identity while adapting to changing markets, contemporary consumer preferences and new approaches to brand building.
Jaipuria Incubation Foundation felicitated Mr. Ashish Kaul, Founding President of TiE Lucknow, in recognition of his valuable contribution to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and his efforts towards promoting entrepreneurship and fostering a culture of innovation.
The gathering featured prominent business personalities from real estate, FMCG, automobile, financial services, technology, retail, legal consulting and renewable energy.
Distinguished participants included Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaggi, COO, ELDECO Housing & Industries Ltd.; and Ms. Vidushi Vijayvergiya, CEO, ISAK Fragrances, a Shark Tank India-featured entrepreneur.
Emerging entrepreneurs associated with JIF’s incubation ecosystem also participated, creating opportunities to interact with experienced business leaders and explore potential industry connections. An interactive open house further encouraged discussions and exchange of ideas.
Dr. Jyoti Dewan, Chairperson, Jaipuria Incubation Foundation, said, “Founder’s Circle is envisioned as a community rather than just a networking platform. By bringing entrepreneurs from diverse sectors together, we seek to facilitate mentorship, mutual learning and business collaborations that can support sustainable enterprise growth.”
The gathering concluded with networking and Diwali celebrations, reinforcing the importance of industry connections and collaborative thinking in building a stronger startup ecosystem.
Through Founder’s Circle, Jaipuria Incubation Foundation aims to establish a sustained engagement platform connecting established businesses, industry experts and emerging entrepreneurs, while creating avenues for mentorship, knowledge exchange and collaborative opportunities.
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