IIM Bodh Gaya Hosts YES 2025, Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Bodh Gaya: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya hosted the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES 2025) on 14-15 February, bringing together over 1,000 participants from more than 250 institutions across India. The event served as a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and academics to exchange ideas, explore business innovations, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset.

The summit was inaugurated by Prof. SK Abu Khalek, chairperson of the Envision Cell, alongside Prof. Sabyasachi Mohapatra, chairperson of the Career Development Cell, and Aviral Tiwari, a member of the Board of Governors at IIM Bodh Gaya. Representatives from NABARD and Startup Bihar, the event’s title sponsors, also addressed the gathering. Uday Kumar from NABARD, along with Shivendra Kumar and Kunal Prakash from SSU, Startup Bihar, spoke about their initiatives in fostering entrepreneurship. Uttsah Sharma, COO of DOGMA Group, highlighted the role of industry collaboration in shaping the next generation of business leaders.

Keynote speakers offered insights into the challenges and opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Awdhesh Krishna, founder of Strategii At Work, underscored the importance of adaptability and agile leadership in an uncertain global economy. Ajay Thakur, CEO of TGI SME Capital Advisors LLP and former SME & Startup Head at BSE, discussed the role of financial management and capital markets in sustaining entrepreneurial ventures.

The event featured a series of competitions designed to test business acumen and strategic thinking. Events such as FUN Fiesta, Marketing Mayhem, and Fish Tank encouraged creativity and commercial awareness, while Pitch Perfect, with a prize pool exceeding Rs 1 lakh, provided participants with an opportunity to showcase their startup ideas before a panel of experts. Business Wars assessed problem-solving under pressure, and the Best Manager contest identified exceptional leadership potential. In total, more than Rs 2.5 lakh in prize money was awarded.

The summit received support from NABARD, Startup Bihar, the Bihar government, and the Department of Industries, underlining a shared commitment to fostering entrepreneurship. Industry sponsors included DOGMA Group, Campa, and OM Logistics, with the latter overseeing operations and Campa serving as the beverage partner.

In his closing remarks, Prof. SK Abu Khalek described YES 2025 as a launchpad for the next generation of business leaders. Prof. Sabyasachi Mohapatra emphasised the importance of continuous learning and innovation, while Uday Kumar from Startup Bihar highlighted the role of grassroots entrepreneurship in regional development.

By combining academic excellence with industry expertise and the energy of young innovators, YES 2025 set a new standard for entrepreneurship summits in India. IIM Bodh Gaya continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business and entrepreneurship, equipping young leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to drive meaningful change.