TEP at ISB makes it easy for wannabe entrepreneurs
A programme at the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB) here costs no less than ₹16 lakh but Telangana students need just ₹16,000, in addition to possessing a burning desire to give wings to their ideas, thanks to an innovative idea of the Telangana Academy of Skills and Knowledge (TASK).
This path-breaking programme launched two years ago to help engineering students create and launch new business ventures is bearing fruits now with four start-ups gaining ground. And that too from students who seldom heard of entrepreneurship and the path to it.
Thumma Narendra, who never had any exposure to entrepreneurship while studying in his native Warangal district, has now created a platform with an educational website to guide students and schools on various aspects of education. Kausthub Kaundinya of VNR VJIT has designed a safety air-conditioned helmet that can be used in industries including coal mines.
Gurajada Ravitej of Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology and Management (MLRIT) has created a start-up ‘SVS Express Car Sap’ where he provides car and bike washing service using foam wash equipment without the usage of water. His friend Abhiram Itharaju from MLRIT is now the proud owner of Abhi Clicks, a photography company that promises to capture every beautiful moment of life.
All these students are part of the Technology Entrepreneurship Programme (TEP) launched by TASK in association with ISB with a vision to create an entrepreneurial civilisation among engineering students. The programme is rigorous and only 40% crossed the first stage. And even among them only four people could launch their start-ups so far.
The satisfying aspect, however, is that 265 students so far got their TEP degrees from ISB, which was unthinkable for them a couple of years ago. About 100-odd got the participation certificates from ISB, which itself is a major academic achievement.
The final outcome on start-ups is less, as expected in any such ecosystem, but students gained big as 80% of those who enrolled for the programme were placed in top technology companies, says Sujiv Nair, Chief Executive Officer, TASK. The programme starts when they are in the third year of their engineering and is completed as they finish their B.Tech programme simultaneously.
Selection to TEP itself is a rigorous process. But Mr. Nair agrees that it has mainly helped students expand their motivation levels and inculcated the entrepreneurship spirit. But for the programme all these candidates would have earned just a degree rather than emerging as employment creators.
The programme has the support of several blue-chip companies including Google, Microsoft, Tata Motors and Deloitte and senior professionals of these companies mentor the prospective techno-preneurs selected for the programme from various colleges in Telangana.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Ravikanth Reddy / Hyderabad – November 27th, 2017