With a vision to bridge academic excellence with practical entrepreneurship, Laxmi Institute of Technology (LIT), under the aegis of Laxmi Vidyapeeth and Gajera Charitable Trust, Surat, has taken a significant leap toward empowering its faculty and students through real-world innovation and startup exposure. As part of this ongoing effort, the institute hosted a dynamic Startup Sensitisation Program today, 7th April 2025, at the Dhwani Auditorium, forming a key segment of the broader Faculty Entrepreneurship Development Programme (FEDP) which began on 28th March 2025.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 800 students and faculty members from Laxmi Institute of Technology and Laxmi Institute of Management. The dignitaries for the day included renowned entrepreneur Ar. Krushit Shah, popularly known as the Startup Man of Vapi, and Mr. Parthiv Maheta, both of whom, along with their expert teams, brought energy and insight to the gathering. Dr. Basavraj Patil, Director of LIT, welcomed the guests with a warm address, felicitated them on stage, and elaborated on the core vision and impact of integrating startup culture into academic environments through faculty development.
In his engaging keynote, Ar. Krushit Shah emphasized the power of decoding the startup ecosystem, focusing on how understanding the structure and stakeholders of the ecosystem empowers aspiring entrepreneurs. He also discussed how key layers of the ecosystem help grow a business idea and convert it into a viable business, highlighting the importance of strategy, support, and execution. Mr. Parthiv Maheta inspired the audience by sharing insights on the value of startups in shaping meaningful careers, encouraging both students and educators to adopt entrepreneurial thinking. A notable highlight of the day was the MoU signing between Laxmi Institute of Technology and Startup Vapi, marking a collaborative step toward mentorship, incubation, and enterprise-building. In addition, Ms Hetal Juthani a versatile educator, now as a successful entrepreneur (Mumbai) also threw light on Startup power and support for growth.
This initiative is part of the comprehensive Faculty Entrepreneurship Development Programme (FEDP), sponsored by APITCO Ltd., which has been empowering faculty members from diploma, degree, and vocational streams with entrepreneurial skills and practical training. Faculty from Mechanical, Civil, Automobile, Information Technology, and Computer Science branches have participated in enriching sessions led by industry leaders and academic experts. The program has featured sessions by Mr. Anurath Panchal, Dr. J. Lughani, Mr. Kedar Shukla, Mr. Kesar Shukla, and others, addressing vital themes such as innovation, economic development, institutional support mechanisms, and the process of ideating and scaling startups. In-depth discussions by Mr. Muthuhai Pami, Dr. Ritesh Pandey, and Dr. Dipesh Shah have explored motivational training, business plan development, creativity, leadership, and marketing. Upcoming sessions with experts like Ms. Anaita Soni and Mr. Darshan Mehta are set to cover funding opportunities, curriculum integration, networking, and entrepreneurial success stories.
By interweaving academic pedagogy with entrepreneurial dynamism, Laxmi Vidyapeeth is nurturing a generation of self-reliant, innovative thinkers. These initiatives reflect a firm commitment to creating a robust startup ecosystem within the academic space—one that enables faculty to guide students not just as teachers but as mentors for innovation and enterprise.
Laxmi Institute of Technology Sparks Innovation through Startup Sensitisation and Faculty Entrepreneurship Development Initiatives
