Surat : The entrepreneurial spirit in Surat and the broader South Gujarat region soared to new heights as the Surat Start-Up Summit 2023 concluded with a resounding success, witnessing an investment commitment of Rs 12 crore from approximately 800 investors. The event, held at the Platinum Hall within the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC) in Sarsana, spanned three days, starting on October 27.
Organized by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), the summit acted as a catalyst for budding entrepreneurs, providing a platform to showcase innovative products and services. This infusion of financial support from local investors has injected fresh vigor into the start-up ecosystem, poised to elevate these emerging ventures into both the Indian and global markets.
CA Mayank Desai, Chairman of the Start-up Committee, expressed gratification at the overwhelming response. “Every entrepreneur who participated in the Start-up Summit received significant investment interest. Over 800 investors from Surat have pledged investments totaling more than Rs 12 crore during this summit. Furthermore, these investors have assured support to all the stall holders, pledging investments exceeding the mentioned amount,” stated Desai.
The beneficiaries of the summit, the stall holders and budding entrepreneurs, were elated by the substantial boost received by their start-ups. Empowered with newfound confidence and fresh ideas, these entrepreneurs are geared to make a foray into the dynamic Indian and global markets, armed with increased capacity and innovative business strategies.
The final day of the summit hosted six insightful sessions tailored to address key entrepreneurial concerns. Maninder Singh Bawa, Chief Technology Officer of India Accelerator, shared valuable insights on ‘Using Blockchain to solve the problem of the diamond industry’. Uday Sodhi, founder of Room Company, guided entrepreneurs on ‘What do investors want?’, while Nihansh Bhatt of Crafton Inc. shed light on future export and investment opportunities in gaming.
Panel discussions led by industry experts explored essential topics such as approaching investors, new trends in influencer marketing, and brand-building strategies for start-ups. Rahul Narvekar, founder of The India Network, provided comprehensive guidance to entrepreneurs on various aspects of taking an industry from its inception to scaling it to new heights.
