“Dream Startup Challenge 2025 – Indore Chapter” at RRCAT

Indore, October 14, 2025: The AIC-RNTU Foundation, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), successfully organized the Dream Startup Challenge 2025 – Indore Chapter at the RRCAT PI-Hub Foundation, Indore. The event brought together a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem enablers for a day of insightful discussions, networking, and startup pitching sessions.

The program commenced with opening remarks from Dr. C. P. Paul, Director and Head, AIC π-Hub RRCAT, and Mr. Rashmirathi Tiwari, CEO of Gyrix TechnoLabs and CII Representative. Dr. Ronald Fernandez, CEO of AIC-RNTU Foundation, provided an overview of the Dream Startup Challenge initiative, emphasizing its role in empowering startups across Madhya Pradesh through structured mentoring and investment access.

A key highlight of the event was an engaging Fireside Chat on Funding Avenues, featuring distinguished panelists Dr. Abha Rishi (Executive Head, MP Startup Centre), Mr. Mayuresh Raut (Co-founder & Managing Director, Seafund), and Mr. Manish Johari (Head – Outreach & Alliances, O2 VC Fund), moderated by Mr. Ronald Fernandez. The discussion offered deep insights into evolving investment trends, fundraising strategies, and the critical role of investor–startup alignment in scaling ventures.

Following the panel discussion, over 15 innovative startups presented their business ideas and technologies before a distinguished jury comprising Mr. Amit Bhowmik (Director, Corporate M&A, AMWORLD Trans-Continental M&A), Mr. Ronald Fernandez (CEO, AIC-RNTU Foundation), Dr. Anurag S. D. Rai (CEO, AIC π-Hub Foundation), Mr. Varun Soni (Senior Manager, IITI Drishti CPS Foundation), Mr. Mayuresh Raut (Co-founder & Managing Director, Seafund), and Mr. Manish Johari (Head – Outreach & Alliances, O2 VC Fund).

The jury appreciated the participating startups for their innovation, clarity of vision, and market readiness. Several promising ventures were shortlisted for the Dream Startup Challenge Cohort, where they will receive personalized mentoring, direct investor access, and ecosystem linkage opportunities. The shortlisted startups will further compete in the Grand Finale scheduled to be held in Bhopal.

The event underscored the growing momentum of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh and reaffirmed AIC π-Hub and AIC-RNTU Foundation’s joint commitment to nurturing innovation, investment readiness, and startup growth through collaborative initiatives like the Dream Startup Challenge 2025.