Pillai Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship conducted the finals of the Business plan Competition 2022-23 on 12th April, 2023 in an exhibition format at Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai Campus, Panvel. The event was supported by the Institution Innovation Council of Pillai Group of Institutions and IWFCI India National Chapter.

The Business Plan Competition for the year 2022-23 was announced in the month of July 2022 and gives a platform for students to nurture their ideas into a full fledged business. Mentorship, guidance is provided at every stage by one on one counselling, organising workshops on financial statements, making business plans & legal frameworks etc.

This year, 82 teams registered for the competition and 8 teams competed in the final round. The jury members consisted of Mr. Faisal Hawa, Private equity Investor, Dr. Haseena Sayed – Ex- Assoc. Prof & HOD- Commerce at Jai Hind College, and Mr. Jack Jay, CEO Persist Ventures.

The winner of the competition was Mr. Farhan Shaikh of Team Student Book Shop, a student of Pillai College of Engineering Panvel. Student Book Shop is an online books shop whose aim is to provide expensive text books at the cheapest price possible to every student in any place in India with fastest delivery at their doorstep. They work on a direct warehouse dispatch system which helps in reducing delivery time and transport and focus on mandatory textbooks recommended for the medical fields of study. The prize for the winning teams was a cash prize of Rs. one lakh, a trophy and a certificate.

The joint winners of the second prize were the students of Pillai College of Engineering Panvel- Ms. Tanvi, Ms. Manali, Ms. Shobha & Ms. Siddhi of Team Live at Campus (LAC) and Mr. Nikesh, Mr. Akash, Mr. Vivek, Mr. Ayush of Team One Web. Live at Campus (LAC) is an overseas education consultancy that provides comprehensive guidance and support to students who want to study abroad and helps them with on boarding and finding accommodation as well. One Web Solutions is team specializing in content writing, web development, and app development. They give a platform to individuals and businesses by offering tailored, high-quality and cost-effective solutions that help establish a robust online presence. The cash prize for the second team was Rs. 10,000 per team & certificates.

The runner up was Ms. Vijayalaxmi from Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Panvel from Team Ven New Designer- which makes customised bags and pouches from cotton and khadi fabrics procured from plastic waste with handpainted designs.

The winner for the IWFCI India Award given to promising female entrepreneurs was bagged by Team Genartful from Pillai HOC College of Arts, Science and Commerce Rasyanai. Ms. Anam, Ms. Manisha and Mr. Viraj received the cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and a certificate. Genartful makes handmade products like fragrance candles and resin art that is customised as per the customers’ needs. The range of fragrances and designs presented were unique and beautiful and won praise from the jury.

The exhibition was visited by many IIC members, faculty and students through the day. The event was co-ordinated by Dr. Priam Pillai and Dr. Celina Joy from the Pillai Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.