SVKM’s NMIMS ASMSOC successfully hosted Business Gala ’26, a two-day celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and mentorship, bringing together students, startups, and industry leaders in a high-impact platform for experiential learning and networking.
Industry Leaders Inspire the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The first day of the gala featured an exclusive keynote and mentorship session by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Co-Founder & MD of Hiranandani Group, on “Building Legacies & The Entrepreneurial Mindset.” Students gained first-hand insights on leadership, resilience, and scaling ventures in competitive markets.
Alongside the session, the Business Gala Exhibition showcased vibrant student startups and select external ventures, including innovative offerings from Indulge, Whiskers, CrestCo, Fragmnt, Velin, BondOS and Trade Collectables, creating opportunities for live product testing, customer feedback, and peer-to-peer networking.
Industry Leaders Inspire the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The first day of the gala featured an exclusive keynote and mentorship session by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Co-Founder & MD of Hiranandani Group, on “Building Legacies & The Entrepreneurial Mindset.” Students gained first-hand insights on leadership, resilience, and scaling ventures in competitive markets.
Alongside the session, the Business Gala Exhibition showcased NMIMS student-led startups alongside select external ventures, creating a vibrant hub for innovation. NMIMS startups on display included:
- Indulge (Seerat Kawar & Team): Health-conscious desserts like high-protein cheesecakes and tiramisu shots.
- Whiskers (Prachita Sethi): Solo-run bakery delivering homemade tiramisu and brownies.
- CrestCo (Yash Agarwal) & Fragmnt (Naman Pasari): Trend-driven apparel targeting Gen Z.
- Velin (Vatsala Jain): Handcrafted, customizable tote bags.
- Trade Collectables (Abhay Bhalani): Investment-grade collectibles attracting significant student interest.
The exhibition enabled live product testing, customer validation, and networking, highlighting the entrepreneurial talent emerging from NMIMS.
BeCon Mumbai Regionals ’26: Competitions and Mentorship
Day two hosted the BeCon Mumbai Regionals, in collaboration with E-Cell IIT Delhi, featuring three core tracks:
- Blueprint: National-level business plan competition with a ₹6,00,000 prize pool. Four NMIMS teams qualified for the National Grand Finale at IIT Delhi for their innovative solutions in Deep Tech, Fintech, and Sustainability sectors:
- Neha Sarda (Zyogen – custom bioprinting)
- Rishil Vithalani (Omnibrew – automated beverage solutions)
- Kaashvi Jain & Sanvi Jaiswal (BrewInk – sustainable coffee-ground ink)
- Raghav Agarwal & Vedansh Arora (EcoFold – foldable sustainable shelters)
- Moonshot: High-stakes startup pitching session to venture capitalists and angel investors. While NMIMS startups did not secure immediate funding, the session provided valuable mentorship and feedback for future growth.
- Startup Clinic: Personalized mentorship sessions helped founders refine pitch decks, validate business models, and chart strategic roadmaps.
The inauguration featured eminent industry leaders Mr. Vikram Gupta (IvyCap Ventures), Mr. Shankar Prasad (Plum), and Dr. Minu Mehta (Dean, NMIMS ASMSOC), setting the tone for a day of dynamic learning and engagement.
Driving Experiential Learning and National Collaboration
Business Gala ’26 successfully combined intellectual engagement, industry interaction, and hands-on entrepreneurial experience. NMIMS student startups, including the innovative BondOS platform by Mr. Hrig Paliwal, not only showcased their offerings but also competed at a national level, underscoring the university’s commitment to nurturing practical business skills, creativity, and industry readiness. BondOS stands out as a trust-first relationship intelligence platform, helping users understand emotional patterns and communication styles, fostering healthier personal and professional relationships through guided assessments and reflective insights.
With this year’s success, NMIMS ASMSOC continues to strengthen its position as a national hub for youth entrepreneurship, demonstrating a commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning.
