Celebrating the Success of National Startup Week and SHE RISE Graduation Ceremony at RISE Jhansi.
Innovation, empowerment, and collaboration—these three words perfectly capture the essence of the recently concluded National Startup Week (13–17 January 2025) at RISE Jhansi Incubation Center. The week-long celebration culminated in two landmark events on 17 January: the Jhansi Angel Fundraising Event and the SHE RISE Graduation Ceremony, making it a truly memorable occasion.
A Week of Inspiration and Innovation
National Startup Week was a vibrant celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, bringing together a dynamic mix of visionaries, budding entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. The week was marked by interactive sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, creating an enriching platform for sharing ideas and fostering collaboration.
Startups across various sectors showcased their groundbreaking ideas, while women entrepreneurs from our SHE RISE program added a unique flavor to the event by sharing their inspiring journeys and achievements.
Day-Wise Highlights
Day 1: Startup in a Day – From Idea to Action
The week kicked off with an exciting event designed to empower college youth with 21st-century entrepreneurial skills. Teams of students came together to brainstorm, design, and pitch startup ideas within a span of three hours. The energy and creativity were palpable as participants worked on naming their startups, designing logos, and developing unique solutions to real-world problems.
Day 2: Mentor Dialogues – Empowering Startup Ecosystems
RISE mentors shared their invaluable insights on nurturing startup ecosystems. The session spotlighted trends, challenges, and the importance of mentorship in driving entrepreneurial success. Highlights included discussions on impactful collaborations and a review of mentor contributions in 2024.
Day 3: Community Connect – Empowering Citizens through Entrepreneurship
This day focused on engaging local communities to spread awareness about entrepreneurship. RISE and its incubated startups conducted interactive sessions, shared success stories, and organized hands-on activities to inspire citizens to explore entrepreneurial opportunities and foster innovation within their communities.
Day 4: National Startup Day – Insights, Impact, and Inspiration
A day dedicated to celebrating RISE’s journey and impact. Key events included:
- Panel Discussion: Experts and mentors discussed the future of startups, key challenges, and opportunities.
- Launch of the RISE Journey Leaflet: A comprehensive visual showcase of RISE’s milestones and services.
- RISE Impact Video: A heartwarming presentation highlighting the success stories of incubatees and their contributions to the local startup ecosystem.
Day 5: Jhansi Angel Fundraising & SHE RISE Graduation Ceremony
The grand finale featured two landmark events:
- Jhansi Angel Fundraising Event: A platform connecting local startups with investors, fostering economic growth and collaboration in the region.
- SHE RISE Graduation Ceremony: A proud moment celebrating the achievements of 20 remarkable women entrepreneurs who completed the 12-week SHE RISE program. The ceremony was a testament to their resilience and determination.
Dignitaries Who Graced the Event
We were honored by the presence of several distinguished guests who added immense value to the occasion with their insights and encouragement:
- Shri. Anurag Sharma - Member of Lok Sabha
- Smt. Poonam Sharma - Senior Vice President, FICCI Ladies Organisation
- Shri. Ravi Sharma - MLA, Jhansi Nagar
- Shri. Bihari Lal Aarya - Mayor, Jhansi
- Shri. Avinash Kumar, IAS - District Magistrate of Jhansi
- Shri. Bimal Kumar Dubey, IAS - Divisional Commissioner of Jhansi
- Shri. Satya Prakash, IAS - Municipal Commissioner of Jhansi
- Shri. Alok Yadav, IAS - Vice Chairman, Jhansi Development Authority
- Shri. Junaid Ahmad, IAS - Chief Development Officer of Jhansi
Their support and presence were a testament to the growing recognition of entrepreneurship as a key driver of regional development.
The Impact of SHE RISE
The SHE RISE program has been a cornerstone initiative of RISE Jhansi, designed to empower women entrepreneurs through a comprehensive 12-week curriculum. Covering essential topics like:
- Financial Management
- Legal Compliance
- Digital Presence
- Market Research
- AI Utilization
The program equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to transform their business ideas into successful ventures. The graduation ceremony was a celebration of their hard work, resilience, and vision.
The success of National Startup Week and the SHE RISE Graduation Ceremony underscores the potential of Jhansi as a thriving hub for entrepreneurship. At RISE Jhansi Incubation Center, we remain committed to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and creating a supportive ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurs.
Here’s to building a brighter future, one idea at a time. Let’s continue to rise together!