Startup Business at the Grassroots is no longer just a concept—it is a movement shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. At ISBR Business School, in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), the Ground Zero: Startup Business at the Grassroots Competition was designed to ignite entrepreneurial thinking among students. With 350 participants, the event emphasized design thinking, grassroots innovation, and technology-driven solutions for real-world microbusiness challenges.
Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Ground Zero
The Ground Zero competition was conceived with a clear objective: to immerse students in grassroots entrepreneurship by connecting them directly with microbusiness vendors. Instead of simulated classroom exercises, students engaged in real-world problem-solving by:
- Visiting and interviewing vendors to understand on-ground challenges.
- Identifying critical issues faced at the grassroots level.
- Co-creating business models with vendors as active stakeholders.
- Designing tech-enabled solutions and pitching their ideas through structured presentations.
This unique structure ensured that innovation was not just theoretical but deeply rooted in empathy, community, and feasibility.
Two-Phase Competition
Phase 1: Intra-Class Rounds
Students pitched their ideas before faculty innovation ambassadors, who selected the best-performing teams based on creativity, problem identification, and feasibility.
Phase 2: Grand Finale
Nine finalist teams presented their grassroots startup models to a distinguished external jury, comprising:
- Mr. Ankur Arun, Director – India and SAARC, Marwadi
- Dr. Priyankana Mukherjee, Assistant Vice President, KIIT Knowledge Park
- Mr. Aaqib Jameel, Manager – Incubation & Investments, KIIT Knowledge Park
The finale celebrated innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial rigor, marking a milestone in ISBR’s efforts to foster a culture of startups and innovation.
Startup Business at the Grassroots: Key Outcomes
The Ground Zero competition proved to be a fertile ground for innovation, yielding several impactful outcomes:
- Encouraged design thinking and grassroots innovation.
- Showcased students’ ability to convert field insights into feasible microbusiness ideas.
- Delivered expert mentorship and constructive feedback from industry leaders.
- Opened pathways for select student ideas to explore incubation and real-world piloting.
Why Competitions Like Ground Zero Matter
Competitions such as Startup Business at the Grassroots play a pivotal role in preparing students for the evolving future of work and entrepreneurship. By engaging with grassroots communities, students gain:
- First-hand exposure to real business problems.
- Opportunities to apply academic learning to practical contexts.
- Skills in collaboration, empathy, and technology integration.
These experiences bridge the gap between management education and societal impact, empowering students to emerge as leaders who drive inclusive innovation.
The Ground Zero: Startup Business at the Grassroots Competition at ISBR Business School is more than just an event—it is a living laboratory of innovation, empathy, and entrepreneurship. By encouraging students to design technology-driven solutions for grassroots challenges, ISBR continues to reaffirm its position as a forward-thinking institution fostering startup culture and nurturing changemakers of tomorrow.
About ISBR Business School: ISBR Business School, located in Bangalore, India, is a premier institution dedicated to providing world-class education in business and management. Accredited by the NBA and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities and the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, ISBR has consistently been ranked as a platinum institute by AICTE-CII. With a diverse student body, a strong emphasis on industry collaboration, and a curriculum designed to foster innovation and leadership, ISBR Business School is committed to shaping the business leaders of tomorrow. The school’s robust placement record and partnerships with top global companies underscore its commitment to excellence and career readiness for its students