MET Institute of Management (MET IOM), in collaboration with Ajman University, UAE, inaugurated the 8th Two-Day International Research Conference on ‘Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ on 4th April 2025. The conference was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp in the presence of Mr. Ashish Singhal, CEO, IBDIC; Dr. Swati Lodha, Director, MET IOM; and Conference convenors Dr. Manmeet Barve, Dean - Academics, MET IOM, Dr. Nirmala Joshi, Associate Professor, MET IOM, Dr. Sagar Gaikwad, Assistant Professor, MET IOM. Our academic collaborator, Dr. Rajesh Mohnot, Professor & Head of Department, Finance, Ajman University, joined the inauguration virtually.

During the inaugural session, Dr. Lodha emphasized the importance of innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking in entrepreneurship. She spoke about the concept of fluid entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for agility in business. She also discussed the role of Digital India in shaping the future and encouraged research and continuous learning as essential steps toward meaningful innovation. Additionally, she urged students to explore entrepreneurship and develop leadership skills.

The conference provided a platform for discussions on business growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

"The future belongs to those who innovate with purpose." With these inspiring words, Dr. Rajesh Mohnot, Professor & Head of Finance at Ajman University, UAE, set the tone for conference. Dr. Mohnot emphasized the critical role of sustainable practices and green entrepreneurship, highlighting how artificial intelligence is driving the next wave of startups. He commended India’s efforts in financial inclusion, citing fintech solutions like TAMARA (Buy Now, Pay Later), which already serves over six million users, as transformative in bridging the gap for the unbanked population.

He further explored key themes in innovation and entrepreneurship, including government-led initiatives, climate tech-driven sustainability efforts, the fintech revolution, and inclusive financial systems. Reflecting on the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) rising influence in global financial innovation, he stressed that entrepreneurial success today demands a strategic focus on technology, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Dr. Mohnot’s address left students with a compelling message—innovation must be driven by purpose to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Mr. Ashish Singhal, CEO, IBDIC (Indian Banks' Digital Infrastructure Company), provided a comprehensive perspective on how digital advancements and financial strategies can drive sustainable growth and innovation in entrepreneurship. He shared insights on value creation, key performance indicators (KPIs), the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), and the role of digital infrastructure in shaping modern businesses. He also encouraged students to explore Finternet, the emerging concept of the future of finance and digital currency, emphasizing its potential to transform financial systems and business operations.

Discussing the core principles of entrepreneurship, Mr. Singhal emphasized that successful ventures stem from identifying real problems, creating value, and continuously innovating. Using the analogy of an iceberg, he highlighted the importance of deep exploration in problem-solving, where the most significant challenges and solutions often lie beneath the surface. He urged students to embrace lifelong learning, encouraging them to read, adapt, and challenge conventional thinking.

Addressing financial inclusion, he stressed the need for a unified identity system for micro and small enterprises, underscoring the importance of bridging economic gaps and fostering equal opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

MET Institute of Management’s Institution Innovation Council (IIC) organized its Calendar Activity in the Pre-Conference Workshop during the Conference. The workshops focused on financial planning and legal compliance for startups, conducted for the MMS 2024-26.

A workshop on Raising Capital and Managing Finance for Startups was led by Ms. Priyanka Acharya, Chief Prosperity Officer, Laxmigyaan. She emphasized the importance of identifying a problem before launching a business and selecting suitable investors. She introduced frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas, Revenue Model Canvas, and Financial Model, highlighting the need for effective financial management to ensure business sustainability.

Another workshop, How to Start a Startup Legally After Bootstrapping, was conducted by Ms. Anita Nair, Branch Head - Mumbai, Samisti Legal. She covered key aspects of legal compliance, including business registration, taxation, agreements, intellectual property, and funding regulations. She also addressed common legal challenges, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation and regulatory adherence for startups.

During the conference, MET Institute of Management's Institution Innovation Council (IIC) and MET Incubation Centre organized a dynamic reverse-thinking session titled "Twisting Business Idea Over Its Head", led by Dr. Vaishali Kulkarni, Head - MET Incubation Centre, and Dr. Manmeet Barve, Dean - Academics, MET IOM & Dean, MET Incubation Centre.

The session challenged conventional approaches to entrepreneurship, encouraging students to harness instinct, foster innovation, and embrace adaptability. Participants explored how service models could be transformed into product-based ventures and how logistical barriers could be reimagined as opportunities.

Innovative ideas such as water-repellent footwear, pop-up brand events, and experience-driven restaurant formats (including gym cafés and DIY kitchens) demonstrated the potential of creative thinking in building impactful ventures.

Through engaging activities like "Twisting a Business Idea on Its Head" and the "Let’s Be Honest Survey", the session successfully inspired participants to think beyond traditional frameworks, redefine business possibilities, and develop ideas ready for real-world application.

On April 5, 2025, Day 2 of the 8th International Research Conference, organized in collaboration with Ajman University, UAE, concluded with a series of enriching academic activities at MET Institute of Management (MET IOM).

The day featured three key events: the Poster Presentation Competition, the Book Review Competition, and the Research Paper Review Competition. In the poster competition, 203 students from the MMS 2024-26 presented 99 research posters, showcasing their analytical insights and innovative thinking. A distinguished panel comprising Dr. Priya Sengupta (Sasmira’s Institute of Management Studies & Research), Dr. Vijay Vishwakarma (S.M. Shetty College), Dr. Aftab Shaikh (Chetana’s Ramprasad Khandelwal Institute of Management and Research), Dr. Swapna Kadam (Vidyalankar School of Information Technology), and Dr. Sushmita Mukerji (Alkesh Dinesh Mody Institute for Financial and Management Studies) evaluated the posters.

The Research Paper Review Competition was judged by Dr. Anju Motwani (VES Institute of Management, Chembur), while the Book Review Competition was evaluated by Dr. Asha Agarwal (KES Shroff College, Mumbai).

The winners of the Poster Presentation Competition were

1st - to study the factors influencing the adoption of green energy products in Maharashtra by Shravani Devalekar, Zuhair Koya, And Shounak Moharil

2nd - Analysis on the correlations between gold prices and sectorial indices by Shreyas Chaugule, Pritish Ghorpade And Saifullah Khan

3rd - The impact of social media advertising on purchase decision – A study on GenZ by Awasthi khushi, Sakshi Joshi, Mitali Dundagekar

The winners of the book review competition was on the book, ‘The Design of Business’ by Dhruv Agarwal, Sharvin Athane, Sagar Baghel, Himanshu Baghel, Harshat Baghat, Saurab Bohite

The winners of the research paper review were Divya Patil, Sahil Pawar, Keyur perla, Barbie Raj, Prashik Rangari and Manmeet jaggi.

On April 5, 2025, Day 2 of the 8th International Research Conference, organized in collaboration with Ajman University, UAE, concluded on a high note with an engaging Poster Competition and Research Paper Presentation at MET Institute of Management (MET IOM).

The Research Conference was convened by Dr. Nirmala Joshi, Associate Professor, MET IOM, Dr. Manmeet Barve, Dean (Academics), MET IOM, and Dr. Sagar Gaikwad, Assistant Professor, MET IOM.

The conference featured two parallel tracks. The first track was chaired by Dr. Sushma Verma, Associate Professor, VES Institute of Management, and Dr. Susan Alex, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, K.P.B. Hinduja College, Mumbai.

The second track was chaired by Dr. Shanti Suresh, Vice Principal (Commerce), SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Empowered Autonomous), Sion (W), Mumbai, and Dr. Rajesh Bhoite, Assistant Professor and Head of Business Economics, Akbar Peerboy College, Mumbai.

The winners of the Research Conference were:

1st Place: Mr. Mandar Choudhari and Ms. Kanchan Taksale from Vidyalankar School of Information Technology, presented a paper on Critical Analysis of Winter in VC-PE Ecosystem in India.

2nd Place: Dr. Vedika Sharma from Sasmira Institute of Management, presented a paper on Exploring Gen-Z presence for the Gig Economy as the future of Work Culture.

3rd Place: Mr. Rajiv Chaitanya from Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering presented a paper on The power of AI and ML in entrepreneurial growth.

The successful culmination of the conference not only celebrated research excellence but also reinforced MET IOM’s commitment to fostering a culture of inquiry, innovation, and academic rigor among future management professionals

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