My entrepreneurial journey: From EnPower to launching RN Elements

Jivitesh Nawka, EnPower batch 1

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight road. It unfolds through uncertainty, experimentation, and learning. My own journey began with curiosity, and I found direction with SPJIMR’s EnPower Certificate Programme in Entrepreneurship (EnPower). Back then, the EnPower programme was known as the GCPE — Graduate Certificate Programme in Entrepreneurship. Today, I lead RN Elements, a Surat-based company that produces GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) rebars, which are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and sustainable alternatives to traditional steel reinforcement, promoting sustainable construction in India.

Early curiosity about business

A proud Surat native, I completed all my education in the city itself. Growing up around my family’s business exposed me to the realities of customer relationships, operational discipline, and long-term thinking at an early age.

My father has been a consistent source of guidance, particularly in teaching me the importance of resilience and staying grounded while pursuing ambitious goals. These lessons continue to shape my approach to decision-making today.

During college, I turned my curiosity about business into action. Along with my cousin, I launched a vending machine venture, which provided me with firsthand exposure to the practical challenges of running a business.

While it didn’t scale as expected, the experience highlighted the gap between having an idea and executing it sustainably. It forced me to confront assumptions I had taken for granted and reinforced my interest in entrepreneurship as a long-term pursuit.

This phase of experimentation eventually led me to explore materials and manufacturing-based opportunities, including GFRP rebars as an alternative to conventional steel reinforcement.

Choosing EnPower at SPJIMR

I had energy and ideas, but needed structure and guidance. That’s where SPJIMR’s EnPower came in, offering weekend flexibility, practical exposure, industry connections, and a strong alumni network.

It helped me validate ideas, build an entrepreneurial mindset, and gain the confidence to think beyond small experiments toward creating something larger in scale and impact.

Mentors, peers, and a supportive ecosystem

No entrepreneur succeeds alone, and I was fortunate to have mentors and peers who guided me throughout the journey. Faculty members like Prof. Ganga S taught me patience and focus. And Prof. Tulsi Jayakumar helped me convert rough ideas into structured business plans.

My peers, Ashutosh, Sanika, Namrata, Harshey, Kush, Udit, and many more, were constant collaborators and motivators in EnPower. The support system of Binal Ma’am and Ruchi Ma’am made things smoother by ensuring resources were always available when needed.

The entire EnPower ecosystem helped me master fundamentals such as business model validation, financial planning, and execution strategy, which became the backbone of RN Elements.

Spotting the gap: Why GFRP rebars

During EnPower, I explored industries where real, large-scale problems remained unsolved. The construction sector stood out, particularly the challenges of corrosion and heavy steel reinforcement.

With India’s infrastructure growing rapidly, I saw an opportunity to introduce GFRP rebars, a sustainable, lightweight, and long-lasting alternative to steel that helps build a more resilient future for construction.

From idea to execution: building RN Elements in Surat

EnPower provided me with the structure needed to start my own venture. At 23, setting up a manufacturing unit at such a young age brought challenges, including factory setup, sourcing raw materials, compliance, and securing funding. My learnings from EnPower, especially in pitching, structuring, and financial planning, proved invaluable.

Surat, my hometown, offered a strong manufacturing ecosystem, skilled labour, and supportive business networks. With guidance from mentors and the help of local partners, RN Elements took shape, focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable reinforcement solutions for India’s construction sector.

Lessons, advice and looking ahead

Entrepreneurship, I have learned, is less about age or background and more about clarity of thought and consistency of effort. Looking back, my journey was filled with valuable lessons and reflections for me.

Start early

Beginning at a young age gives the freedom to learn, fail, and grow.

Fail forward

Every setback provides clarity for the next step.

Find structure

Programmes like EnPower channel curiosity into disciplined action.

Value mentors

Their guidance saves years of mistakes and accelerates progress.

My EnPower experience provided me with the foundation for entrepreneurial thinking, enabling me to align my entrepreneurial goals with clarity and build ventures that work toward impact-driven innovation. SPJIMR’s EnPower does not just teach entrepreneurship; it helps shape the mindset needed to turn ideas into reality.