Startup – Nexus Bootcamp

On 12th May 2025, ACIC SGTU Community Innovation Centre inaugurated the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp in collaboration with PUM Netherlands. The bootcamp was designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and student innovators with practical startup knowledge and international mentorship. The program is structured into two intensive weeks: the first week is dedicated to early-stage entrepreneurs and student innovators, while the second week focuses on startup founders, startup ecosystem professionals, academicians, and IIC coordinators.

Day 2 – May 13, 2025

The second day of Startup – Nexus Bootcamp focused on cross-cultural perspectives and practical startup frameworks. A Panel Discussion led by Mr. Mick Walvisch and Mr. Sagar Mahat explored the differences between Indian and Western work cultures, shedding light on values such as collective achievement versus individual recognition, and how globalization is bridging these distinctions.

Mr. Sagar Mahat also shared his experience navigating the startup ecosystem, highlighting the agility of startups compared to traditional organizations and the significance of mentorship-driven accelerators. Mr. Mick Walvisch and Mr. Ignace Karthaus introduced participants to the five stages of the Design Thinking process along with the core elements of the Business Model Canvas. Through a range of practical and interactive activities, attendees learned how to define value propositions, identify key customer segments, and validate their market hypotheses. These sessions helped participants gain deeper clarity on their startup ideas and equipped them with structured tools to approach real-world business challenges more effectively.

Day 3 – May 14, 2025

On Day Three of the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp, Mr. Srijan Mehrotra, Founder - ModelVerse, joined as a guest speaker and shared valuable insights from his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his AI-based venture. In a conversation with Mr. Mick Walvisch, he explored the opportunities and challenges within the fields of artificial intelligence and innovation, offering practical perspectives drawn from his own experiences.

The third day progressed with a structured session on Design Thinking for Startups, where participants explored and applied its five fundamental stages—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—to real-world problem statements. This was followed by a focused session on Strategic Analysis, equipping attendees with essential frameworks for market research, competitor analysis, and customer discovery.

In the concluding session, the focus shifted to Team Dynamics and Leadership. Participants engaged in discussions around building cohesive teams, resolving interpersonal conflicts, and nurturing a culture of trust and accountability.

Day 4 – May 15, 2025

On the fourth day of the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp, Mr. Mitresh Sharma, Founder - First Bud Organics, joined as a guest speaker and shared the compelling story behind his mission-driven venture. With a deep-rooted commitment to India’s agricultural communities, Mr. Sharma outlined how First Bud Organics was conceptualized to create a direct and transparent supply chain between farmers and consumers through organic produce.

Following his keynote, Mr. Sharma participated in a Panel Discussion moderated by Mr. Mick Walvisch, Senior Expert from PUM Netherlands. The dialogue explored the unique challenges and opportunities in the agri-tech sector, as well as the strategies First Bud Organics employed to build a brand founded on trust, quality, and consumer engagement.

The day continued with an interactive session on Marketing and Customer Acquisition, where participants were introduced to tools and frameworks for designing customer-centric marketing campaigns. This was followed by a hands-on Pitch Preparation Workshop, where participants worked on refining their pitch decks and storytelling techniques, receiving constructive feedback from mentors and peers to prepare for the final presentations.

Day 5 – May 16, 2025

On the final day of the first week of the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp, which was tailored for early-stage startups and student innovators, Mr. Kshitij Singh, Program Coordinator - Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, joined as a guest speaker. In his session, Mr. Singh provided an in-depth overview of the Government of India’s robust support framework for startups, outlining key funding mechanisms, innovation-driven policies, and flagship schemes aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. He further emphasized the increasing role of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, in shaping the future of Indian startups.

The second half of the day was dedicated to Team Presentations, where each group had the opportunity to present their startup idea through a structured Pitch Deck. These presentations demonstrated the practical application of the bootcamp’s core learning modules, including design thinking, customer validation, strategic planning, and problem-solution fit. Each team was evaluated on innovation, feasibility, clarity of business model, and presentation effectiveness.

A Pitch Deck Competition was organized to recognize standout teams for their creativity, problem-solving approach, and entrepreneurial potential. The following three teams were declared winners for their compelling startup concepts and high-impact delivery: Winner: Team Smartmeet 1st Runner up: Team HygieSox – Himanshu Janghu, FEAT 2nd Runner up: Team Sun-e-clat – Ravi, FCAM The day concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, recognizing the active participation, learning milestones, and commendable progress made by all teams during the first week of the bootcamp.

Day 6 – May 19, 2025: Second Week of Startup - Nexus Bootcamp

The second week of the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp commenced with a formal inauguration, welcoming a diverse group of participants, including startup founders, incubation center heads, startup ecosystem professionals, academicians, and IIC coordinators. The cohort represented a wide geographic range, with participants joining from Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and the Delhi NCR region, as well as from Nepal.

The opening session featured welcome remarks by Prof. (Dr.) Jawaharmal Jangir, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SGT University, who highlighted the role of collaboration, innovation, and lifelong learning in driving entrepreneurial growth. This was followed by a session by Mr. Anmol Agarwal and Mr. Ritwik Malhotra from Startup India, who shared key insights on national startup policies, government initiatives, and support platforms for founders and ecosystem enablers.

Mr. Rishi Sharma, CEO of ACIC SGTU Community Innovation Centre, introduced the objectives of the second week and provided an overview of the sessions and workshops ahead.
To set a collaborative tone, Mr. Mick Walvisch and Mr. Ignace Karthaus, Senior Experts from PUM Netherlands, conducted interactive ice-breaking and team-building activities. Their focus on the “Seven Levels of Listening” encouraged deeper interpersonal understanding and laid the foundation for effective communication and teamwork throughout the week.

Day 7 – May 20, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Mr. Ayush Bagga, CEO - iAmpact, joined the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp as a guest speaker. He delivered a keynote session in which he shared his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges faced during the early stages of his venture and the strategies employed to scale his business. Mr. Bagga provided valuable insights into market positioning, resilience, and sustaining focus amid uncertainty.

Following his keynote address, a Panel Discussion moderated by Mr. Mick Walvisch provided a deeper insight into Mr. Ayush Bagga’s entrepreneurial journey. He underscored the value of resilience, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose in overcoming startup challenges. Key takeaways included strategies for pivoting business models, managing rejection, and building strong support systems, along with practical guidance on team leadership, investor relations, and customer-driven innovation.

In the second half, participants showcased their startup ideas through poster presentations, clearly outlining their value propositions, customer segments, and differentiators. The day concluded with a hands-on session on business model refinement, where participants leveraged Design Thinking and Business Model Canvas to enhance the viability of their ventures.

Day 8 – May 21, 2025

On 21st May 2025, Mr. Sourabh Tiwari, Growth & Strategy Advisor - GROWMSME; Mr. Pankaj Deval, Business Head - Supreme Smart Power and Founder of Bharat Drone Lab; and Mr. Puneet Raman, India Representative of PUM, joined as guest speakers for Day 8 of the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp. Together, they brought multifaceted perspectives on entrepreneurship, addressing crucial themes such as innovative funding models, ecosystem challenges, and the evolving role of mentorship.

Mr. Sourabh Tiwari shared insights on scaling early-stage ventures, leveraging digital platforms for MSME growth, and navigating funding landscapes for small businesses. Mr. Pankaj Deval spoke about deep-tech innovation, the future of drone technology in India, and the operational realities of managing and expanding tech-driven enterprises.

A Panel Discussion moderated by Mr. Ignace Karthaus, tied these perspectives together and explored essential themes including stakeholder engagement, overcoming growth barriers, and fostering a strong team culture. The conversation offered participants practical guidance and real-world strategies to build resilient, scalable ventures within the dynamic startup ecosystem.

Day 9 – May 22, 2025

On 22nd May 2025, Mr. Arya Tyagi, Cybersecurity Trainer and Entrepreneur, joined as a guest speaker and delivered an engaging session on his journey into the cybersecurity domain. In a moderated conversation with Mr. Mick Walvisch, Senior Expert from PUM Netherlands, Mr. Tyagi discussed the business model behind his startup, the importance of cybersecurity for startups, and the rising demand for secure digital infrastructure. He also addressed participant queries, offering practical insights on cyber threats, data protection, and trust-building through robust security practices.

In the second half, Mr. Mick Walvisch and Mr. Ignace Karthaus facilitated hands-on workshops covering sustainability in business, startup finance, and strategic partnerships. These sessions encouraged participants to integrate sustainability into their operations, understand key financial principles, and explore strategies for building impactful collaborations. The day concluded with peer-to-peer discussions and feedback exchanges, creating opportunities for shared learning and deeper reflection.

Day 10 – May 23, 2025

The final day of the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp culminated in a vibrant celebration of entrepreneurial growth, innovation, and cross-border collaboration. Designed for early-stage startup founders, ecosystem enablers, and academic leaders from India and Nepal, the 10-day bootcamp concluded on a high note with a series of impactful presentations and formal recognitions. The program not only provided a platform for knowledge exchange but also cultivated a strong network of professionals committed to driving innovation in their respective domains. The atmosphere was one of pride and accomplishment, reflecting the collective journey undertaken by all stakeholders involved.

All participants presented their evolved startup pitch decks before an esteemed panel of keynote speakers. These final presentations demonstrated strategic clarity, market awareness, and refined value propositions, shaped through intensive workshops and expert feedback over the course of the bootcamp. The sessions reflected the participants’ professional rigor and real-world experience, underscoring their readiness to scale and strengthen their ventures within the broader innovative ecosystem. Following the pitch presentations, a formal Felicitation Ceremony was held to recognize and honour the participants’ commitment, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Certificates were awarded to each participant in acknowledgment of their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the Startup – Nexus Bootcamp. As part of the ceremony, a Medal Distribution was also conducted to celebrate the winners of the Pitch Deck Competition held during the first week. This recognition served as a testament to the participants’ dedication and the high quality of their entrepreneurial pursuits.

The event was further graced by the presence of Mr. Khalid Wani, who had inaugurated the bootcamp on Day 1. Returning as the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony, Mr. Wani delivered a powerful concluding address. Blending practical advice with personal anecdotes, he emphasized the importance of vision, persistence, and continuous learning in entrepreneurship. His address resonated deeply with the audience, leaving them inspired and optimistic about their entrepreneurial paths ahead. He also applauded the efforts of the organizing team and mentors for curating a transformative experience that fostered real impact.
The day concluded with a Networking Dinner hosted at the ACIC SGTU Community Innovation Centre, offering a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for participants, mentors, and guests to connect beyond the formal sessions. This informal gathering fostered meaningful dialogue, encouraged the exchange of ideas, and laid the foundation for future collaborations. The setting also allowed for reflection on personal takeaways, with many participants expressing interest in future joint initiatives. The camaraderie and conversations from the dinner carried the spirit of the bootcamp forward, reinforcing a strong sense of community among the attendees.