TISS to build centre to incubate entreprenuers

The institute will support the students for the first two years. Experts from the industry and other social enterprises will help them channelise their ideas in the right direction.

“Some of our former students have started their own ventures after passing out and some are very successful. Two of our students Ramana Babu Killi and Prem are helping farmers get an extra 30 per cent profit by ensuring that no seeds are wasted during cultivation. Another student,Mohit Sukhija has set up a healthcare centre in Rohtak that provides low-cost dental care. He wants to set up a denture manufacturing unit in the village to provide cheap dentures to the villagers” said TISS professor Samapti Guha.

“There are many among our students who are keen to start their own ventures,but may not be able to do so due to lack of funds or proper advice. The centre will help students get the funds for their projects and create a base of mentors,” said Guha.

The National Entrepreneurship Network is among those who will help the institute with mentors. Students be able to get their ideas and business models evaluated by entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

“We are exploring ways to raise funds. A corpus of Rs 2 crore will be created for the purpose,” said Bhowmik.

At present institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) have incubation centres to support student and faculty ventures.