Guwahati: The North East Business Conclave 2.0 brought together entrepreneurs from different corners of the northeastern region, nurturing an active platform for networking, teamwork, and knowledge delivery. The occasion, widely observed as a noteworthy breakthrough for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northeast India, received much appreciation from both experienced business leaders and emerging start-ups alike.
Dipankar Dutta, Founder of Computer Education Centre (CEC) Guwahati, appreciated the conclave. "We need a lot more conclaves like this," stated Dutta while reflecting on the evolving business landscape.
"With events like these, people can understand what kind of business they should follow. In the past, many simply opened Public Call Offices (PCOs) without strategic direction. These conclaves offer essential visions into the depth and scope of business chances," he said.
"When we started 31 years ago, the scenario in Assam was vastly different. There was no organised guidance on how to traverse business experiments. Now, there is augmented provision and mentorship available, which is a significant benefit for new entrepreneurs," said Dutta comparing the business environment at Northeast Business Conclave 2.0 with the previous times.
Barsha Sharma, Founder of Ezaar Collective also attended conclave for the first time with the aim of connecting with like-minded people from the business world.
"I expected to meet many entrepreneurs operating in the same ecosystem as mine and to learn from the insightful sessions," said Sharma, emphasising the value of informed decision-making.
"Intelligent investment is crucial. Events like these provide us with the knowledge and tools to identify and grab business opportunities," she said.
For first-time entrepreneurs like Madhumita Roy, Co-founder of Find My Business, the conclave was a valuable experience. "It's wonderful and immensely helpful for new entrepreneurs like us," said Roy.
Addressing the specific encounters faced by women in technology, Roy emphasised the need for greater inclusivity. "Women in tech face significant challenges. There is still a usual idea that women cannot excel in technical fields, which is a major challenge. We urge the government to trust and support us by providing platforms to showcase our potential," said Roy.
Hasan Al-Mehdi, Founder of Fuloni, shared visions for his sustainable business model. "We are India’s first plastic-free online plant nursery and home garden store. The use of plastic in home gardening is often overlooked, and we provide eco-friendly alternatives," explained Al-Mehdi, who praised the scale and influence of the conclave.
"This event has exceeded our expectations. Such initiatives should continue in Assam to motivate and inspire local entrepreneurs," said the founder.
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Hookolupay founder Aziz Ali too lauded the conclave as a transformative experience. "It’s a great platform for entrepreneurs. Recently, we obtained our UPI license, which will allow us to empower small and large businesses with digital payment solutions," said Ali.
"The Prime Minister encouraged us to promote digital payments across the Northeast to boost the regional economy. Events like this offer valuable exposure and opportunities to collaborate with both investors and policymakers," said Ali, recalling his interaction with PM Narendra Modi during Advantage Assam 2.0.
Epic Momo founder Debabrata Nath, an entrepreneur from Guwahati, cherished the event's role in fostering a collective environment. "It is a well-organised event that allows budding entrepreneurs to connect with like-minded individuals and industry leaders. I hope to see more such events to inspire young people to take risks and pursue business ventures," said Nath.
The Northeast Business Conclave 2.0 has been dubbed 'a pivotal event', cheering novelty, easing planned networking and addressing the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the region. With the enthusiastic influence of industry leaders and first-time founders, the conclave underlines the rising motivation and potential of Northeast India’s business landscape.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
