Lucknow — The grand finale of the Entrepreneurial Pitch League (EPL) marked a triumphant conclusion on the second day of Saarang 25, an annual entrepreneurial event organized by the Commerce Department of National P.G. College (NPGC) in collaboration with the Institute for Industrial Development (IID).
The event witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries, with Laurie Shukla, Managing Director of Race IAS, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. Ajay Shankar Rai, Governing Body Member of NPGC, was the Guest of Honour.
The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Prof. Devendra Kumar Singh, Principal, NPGC, who highlighted the vital role of entrepreneurship in today’s evolving economy. Mrs. Shukla emphasized the importance of discipline, strategic thinking, and patience in entrepreneurship, while Mr. Rai applauded NPGC’s continuous efforts in nurturing entrepreneurial talent among students.
Final Round of EPL Showcased India’s Budding Innovators
The highlight of the event was the final round of EPL, where students from over 30 colleges across India pitched their innovative business ideas before a panel of esteemed judges. The most promising startup ideas were selected for top honors and cash prizes:
EPL Cash Prizes Winners:
-
First Prize ₹51,000: Ananta Mehra (Art Jewelry, Amity University)
-
Second Prize ₹21,000: Ashish Srivastava (Krishi Inspiro, Mysore)
-
Third Prize ₹11,000: Anmol Srivastava & Abhinav Tripathi (Noir India, NPGC)
Consolation Prizes Awarded To:
-
Yaksh Sharod (Biokart, Mumbai)
-
Prakhar Jain (L16 Mushrooms, Goyal College)
-
Sparsh Nigam (Aura Gold, CIMS)
-
Fiza Abbas (Alternate, Amity University)
-
Mohammad Ibaad Hussain (Vyapar Setu, University of Lucknow)
Best Stall Awards:
-
First Prize: Locks & Luck, Cavings & Zayka
-
Second Prize: Lens Diaries
-
Third Prize: Appelicious & Ek Minute
Over 40 stalls were showcased at the event, featuring student startups, banks, and suppliers. An awareness program on the CM Yuva Udyami Yojana was also conducted, providing students with insights into government schemes and startup incentives.
Nurturing Startups and Innovation Culture
In her vote of thanks, Prof. Jyoti Bhargava, Head of the Commerce Department, extended gratitude to the management and IID for their invaluable support in fostering startup culture. She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to guiding students with the right mentorship and resources to encourage innovation.
National P.G. College’s Commerce Department expressed heartfelt thanks to all participants, guests, and collaborators, pledging continued efforts to empower young entrepreneurs and promote a thriving ecosystem for startups.
