Ahmedabad 20 October 2024: The much-anticipated Shilp Startup Fest Gujarat 2.0, an initiative by the SnehShilp Foundation, got underway on Sunday with a remarkable lineup of sessions and presentations. The two-day event has seen an overwhelming response from the startup ecosystem, building on the immense success of its inaugural edition.
The first day of the event kicked off with a grand presentation on the vision of Shilp Startup Fest Gujarat, followed by an insightful session on “Building a Global Brand Identity: The Gujarat Legacy on the World Stage.” Vishal Mehta, Chairman and MD of Infibeam Avenues, delivered a presentation on AI use cases, highlighting how technology is reshaping industries globally.
Snehal Brahmbhatt, Founder of SnehShilp Foundation, said, “We have envisioned Shilp Startup Fest Gujarat as a unique platform to fuel innovation. We achieved tremendous success last year and aim to create even bigger opportunities for startups to thrive this year. With over 100+ industry specific startups, 200+ investors, and a fund pool exceeding Rs. 1000 crore, we are creating a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurs to connect, grow and succeed.”
Shilp Startup Fest Gujarat 2.0 is building on the first season’s success, which had 200+ startups, 135+ investors and a fund pool of Rs. 532 crore.
The highlight of the day was the engaging panel discussion titled “Vision to Victory: Building a Global Brand Identity – The Gujarat Legacy on the World Stage.” Moderated by Deepali Chhatwani, the session featured esteemed speakers, including Mr. Sandeep Engineer, Chairman & MD of Astral Limited, Mr. Chiranjiv Patel, MD of P.C Snehal Group of Companies and mentor to start-ups, and Mr. Hirav Shah, a renowned global business strategist and brand builder. Their insights into the journey of transforming local brands into global powerhouses captivated the audience and underscored the potential of Gujarat’s legacy on the international stage.
Then the much-anticipated Scale Pitch, where select startups presented their business ideas and plans before industry leaders, including Ronak Chiripal of Chiripal Group of Companies), Yash Shah, Director of True Value & The Address, Arnav Patel, Founder of Ambassador Fintech, Tanuj Pugalia, MD of Pugalia Group, and Devansh Majithia of Urmin Group Family Office.
The first day also featured a reverse mentoring session, an engaging engaging interaction with venture capitalists and angel investors, and the Shark Troop session, where industry leaders shared insights into the realities of the startup world, debunking the myths surrounding glitzy success stories.
Esteemed guests, including actor Vindu Dara Singh, Gujarat Technological University (GTU) Vice Chancellor Dr. Rajul Gajjar, Principal Secretary of Science & Technology Department Mona Khandhar, and GTU Registrar Dr. KN Kher graced the event, underscoring the strong support from both government and academia.
The event’’s second day promises to be equally engaging, with sessions on the role of family offices in supporting startups, an inspirational talk by renowned motivational speaker Sneh Desai, and a discussion on opportunities and challenges for SME IPOs on the agenda. The evening will conclude with an Award Function and Gala Dinner, featuring Bollywood actor Sonu Sood as the guest of honour, celebrating the achievements of the startup community.
The Shilp Startup Fest Gujarat 2.0 embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship, providing a unique platform for startups, investors and industry leaders to come together and shape the future of Gujarat’s startup landscape.
