Patna: Bihar’s entrepreneurial landscape is set to take centre stage as the TiE Patna BRIDGE Summit 1.0, powered by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), kicks off tomorrow. The two-day event, hosted at Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Patna, will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs with the aim of accelerating Bihar’s startup growth.
Backed by IOCL (Title Sponsor), the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) (Platinum Sponsor), and the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) (Gold Sponsor), the summit is expected to be a defining moment for Bihar’s startup ecosystem. “This will be the spark Bihar’s startup journey has been waiting for,” said TiE Patna President Kumod Kumar.
The event will feature high-profile panel discussions, masterclasses, and startup showcases, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to gain industry insights and build connections. With Startup And I as the official media partner, the summit is expected to lay the groundwork for long-term growth and innovation in Bihar.
Women Entrepreneurs in Focus on Day One
The first day will begin with a session dedicated to women entrepreneurs at CIMP Auditorium, led by Ambika Deo and Dr Ujala. A virtual keynote address by Pratima Kirloskar will set the tone, followed by a panel discussion on “Balancing Ambition and Responsibility: Navigating Work-Life Integration for Women Entrepreneurs”, moderated by Pallavi Jha. Panellists Usha Jha, Himani Mishra, Manisha Prakash, and Jayati Sinha will discuss the challenges and successes of women in the startup world. Dr Nancy Singh, founder of Curofine, will conclude the session by sharing her entrepreneurial journey.
In the afternoon, the focus will shift to NIFT Patna, where the TiE U session will be led by Co-Chair Pallavi Jha. A virtual address by Harit Mohan will explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, leading into a panel discussion titled “Classroom to Boardroom: The Imperative of Integrating Entrepreneurship into Educational Curricula”. Featuring Prof. Dr Rana Singh, Mr Govind Narayan Singh, Prof. Dr Jawar Singh, and a startup representative from NIFT, the discussion will examine ways to bridge the gap between academia and real-world business challenges.
Entrepreneur Altmas Hussain, Founder & CEO of Standway Services Pvt Ltd, will offer insights on building a business from the ground up, followed by a masterclass at CIMP by Prof Sankal Pratap, Chair Professor of Entrepreneurship at IIT Mumbai. Titled “Pitfalls and Guardrails: Sidestepping the Entrepreneur’s Death Traps”, the session will provide entrepreneurs with practical guidance on financial management, market entry strategies, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Investment and Sustainability to Take Centre Stage on Day Two
The second day will see the main BRIDGE Summit unfold at CIMP, featuring key policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. The event will be inaugurated by Bihar’s Industries Minister, Nitish Mishra, setting the stage for discussions on funding, sustainability, and startup growth.
The first panel discussion, “Navigating the Investment Landscape”, moderated by Pallavi Jha, will feature IAS officer Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar, Anubha Prasad from SIDBI, and venture capitalist Dhiraj Kumar Sinha. This session will provide an in-depth look at securing funding, investor expectations, and strategies for financial sustainability.
A second panel on “Sustainable Entrepreneurship” will focus on responsible business practices, with contributions from IOCL’s Sanjeev Kumar Choudhary, Tata Steel’s Kavita Mahto, and economist Ajit Ranade. Discussions will centre on how startups can scale while maintaining environmental and social responsibility.
One of the highlights of the summit will be the Startup Showcase, where ten promising Bihar-based startups will present their business models to a panel of investors and industry leaders. The session will offer an opportunity for these startups to gain visibility, mentorship, and potential investment. Alongside this, 20 expo booths will display innovative products from participating companies, fostering networking and collaboration.
