Students from Top Schools of India discuss sustainable business models

Raipur

“Intent matters. Integrity matters. Courage matters. If you have the three, nothing else matters”

 Social entrepreneurship is all about incorporating all three to create business plans that are both feasible and beneficial to the society. To foster this spirit in the minds of young and budding entrepreneurs, the Consulting and Entrepreneurship Club, IIM Raipur organised Samaadhan, a social B-Plan competition which saw people solving real world problems using inquisitive and innovative tools.

In the first round of the event, executive summaries for social B-Plans were invited from all over the country. Out of the numerous entries that were received, including ones from premier institutes like IIM Ahmedabad, ISB Hydrabad, ISB Mohali, IIT Kharagpur, 11 were shortlisted. The second round was held on 10th September in which these teams had to present their b-plan to a panel of esteemed judges which included Mr Rupesh Gupta, an alumnus of IIM Kozhikode and founder of Pro C Education and Mr Sanjay Agarwal, alumnus of IIM Raipur and founder of Raipur Ramayan Udyog.

The business plans that were discussed ranged from providing affordable sanitary napkins to the rural poor to using bio-gas for commercial purposes and reduce pollution in the process. All the teams were very well prepared that made the competition all the more exciting. The judges minutely analysed every aspect of the business plans and asked questions, helping the teams refine their business model along the way. After a gruelling competition and a close fight, it was "Team Gals" from XIMB and "Team Raipur Rangers" from IIM Raipur who emerged victorious.