National Startup Day Celebrated at BIT Mesra with Focus on Policy Reforms and Startup Protection
Ranchi: The National Startup Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, in association with the Indian Startup Association (ISA). The event was held at Seminar Hall–1, R&D Building, and witnessed active participation from students, aspiring entrepreneurs, faculty members, and startup stakeholders.
The conference was addressed by Rathin Bhadra, National President of the Indian Startup Association, and Sandeep Ranjan Sahay, Advisor, Indian Startup Association, who shared key insights on the evolving startup ecosystem, policy reforms, and challenges faced by Indian startups.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. Raju Poddar, Dean Entrepreneurship Development, BIT Mesra, highlighted the remarkable achievements of the institute in nurturing entrepreneurship. He noted that BIT Mesra has produced several renowned startups and founders, including those behind Lenskart, WhiteHat Jr., and many other successful ventures, reinforcing BIT’s legacy as a cradle of innovation.
Dr. Vishal Saha, Advisor Faculty Entrepreneurship Development, spoke about the significance of National Startup Day and elaborated on the initiatives being undertaken by BIT Mesra to promote enterprise development, innovation, and startup incubation within the campus ecosystem.
In his keynote address, Rathin Bhadra spoke in detail about startup policy-making and welcomed several positive changes introduced by the government, many of which were long-standing demands of the startup community. He assured entrepreneurs that the Indian Startup Association would always remain the voice of startups, emphasizing that ISA functions as a union of startups committed to fighting for their rights and interests.
He also cautioned startups about the growing number of fraudulent companies mushrooming in the ecosystem under the guise of funding and mentorship. He stated that nearly 90 percent of such entities are fraudulent, terming this trend a serious form of cyber and financial crime targeting startups.
Announcing a key initiative, Rathin Bhadra revealed that the Indian Startup Association will provide five startups an opportunity to set up their offices in the heart of Ranchi at Jail Road, Lalpur, at a nominal rent of ₹499 per month. He added that while the association could offer the space free of cost, a nominal fee ensures a sense of responsibility and belonging among startups.
He further raised important policy suggestions, including recognition and facilitation through MSME, DSIR, a six-year moratorium period on startup loans, access to loans even with low CIBIL scores, and the government acting as a guarantor for startup loans.
Sandeep Ranjan Sahay, Advisor, ISUA, along with Ravi Ranjan Singh, Former General Secretary of the Indian Startup Association, reiterated that the association is committed to supporting startups in every possible manner and safeguarding their interests at all levels.
At the conclusion of the event, Rathin Bhadra and all others were felicitated with a memento and bouquet by Dr. Raju Poddar, DR. DILIP and Dr. Vishal Saha, Associate Director- Alumni Relations, in recognition of his contribution to the startup ecosystem.
The conference successfully reinforced the message of innovation, policy support, and collective strength in building a robust startup ecosystem in Jharkhand and across India.
