SPJIMR > FinNovate Accelerator > Curtain Raiser

FinNovate Accelerator | Curtain Raiser

The FinNovate Accelerator Curtain Raiser marked a new milestone for the SPJIMR Centre for Financial Innovation (CFI) with the inauguration of the Sunil Bhatia Start-up Hub. The power-packed event welcomed FinNovate Accelerator’s first cohort of 12 start-ups in the ‘Seed to Series A stage’ at the SPJIMR Mumbai campus. The day’s activities included an orientation session by FinNovate Head & CFI Executive Director Manoj Mohan Vengaserry; insightful mentor sessions by the accelerator’s functional mentors Vineet Barnwal, Corporate Trainer and Coach & Vedanarayanan Vedantham, Marketing Leader, Microsoft. FinNovate Accelerator’s first cohort, carefully selected for their exceptional potential, will embark on a transformative journey, receiving mentorship, guidance, and access to a network of accomplished finance professionals.

Watch the event live stream

The highlight of the FinNovate Curtain Raiser was the inauguration of the Sunil Bhatia Start-up Hub by SPJIMR PGDM/MMS 1989 alum Sunil Bhatia, Board Member – Investor and Former CEO of Infogain. Mr. Bhatia has contributed INR 10 crore to the Hub. His contribution resonates with both his and SPJIMR’s commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem in India. This one-of-its-kind Hub will serve as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange and influence how finance is perceived, practised, and propelled forward. It offers vital initiatives that support entrepreneurship through pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration stages.

The curtain raiser also hosted two exclusive masterclasses for finance and tech startup founders. Smita Aggarwal, VC Investor, Top 35 Global Women in Fintech Powerlist 2020, conducted the immersive master class on Fund Raising from VCs for Fintechs. The second masterclass on Building Enterprise Sales for BFSI Sector by Anjani Rathor, Chief Digital Officer at HDFC Bank and Sanil Chorinchath, Head – Ecosystem Banking at Yes Bank, was moderated by Manoj Mohan, Head FinNovate and Executive Director CFI. The participants got the opportunity to interact and learn from the best in the industry, gain practical insights, and acquire actionable strategies to explore new perspectives that will set them apart in a competitive landscape.

Sessions & Speakers

  • Session 1: Overview of SPJIMR Financial Innovation Initiatives

    We are giving start-ups access to corporates, distinguished mentors and funding on a single platform. To take this a step ahead we decided to make it a deep impact programme. So select mentors will work on a customised plan for each of the start-up to implement over next three to four months. This will help them progress to the next trajectory. That is the commitment we have made to the 20 founders of the 12 start-ups who have joined us.

    Manoj Mohan
    Head, FinNovate and Executive Director, Centre for Financial Innovation (CFI), SPJIMR

    Manoj Mohan

  • Session 2: Keynote Address

    We need diversity of solutions, and this can only be achieved through entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs have the power to build numerous combinatorial solutions that can eventually reach a billion people. It’s wonderful to see SPJIMR setting up this accelerator, creating mentorship, and supporting the entrepreneurial journey, which is essential for our ecosystem as a whole.

    Pramod Varma
    Ex-Chief Architect Aadhaar & India Stack

    Pramod Varma

  • Session 3: Journey from Startup to Unicorn Exit

    Sharing with you my formula of 2Hs, 4Es & 2Ps. First H is be happy from your core and the second H is be honest, if you want to go far. The four Es are – can you maintain high energy levels, can you energise others, do you have an edge and can you execute. My two Ps are be passionate and perseverant. This is the formula that works for me

    Sunil Bhatia
    Board Member, Investor and Former CEO of Infogain

    Sunil Bhatia

  • Session 4: Start-ups: The investment opportunity

    As more and more corporate governance questions, questions about founder’s intent and chasing growth start coming in you will start seeing a negative effect on how the industry will grow. That is why an accelerator like FinNovate is so important because it is not just about understanding how to do business how to grow etc. This will help you to understand from day one about how to put your corporate governance in place.

    Nandini Mansinghka
    CEO, Mumbai Angels

    Nandini Mansinghka

  • Session 5: SPJIMR: Shifting gears in Innovation

    Our objective is to create a conducive environment where start-ups can thrive, driving the development of disruptive solutions that can reshape the BFSI industry. In the future, we envision the FinNovate Accelerator as a vital force in stimulating innovation, empowering start-ups to reach noteworthy milestones and making a positive impact in the BFSI ecosystem.

    Varun Nagaraj
    SPJIMR Dean

    Varun Nagaraj

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