Startup initiative to sow seeds of entrepreneurship among students in this state

The Karnataka government through Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) has launched E-Step, an initiative from Startup cell, to empower startups promoted by students in the state. E-Step focuses on boot camps, mentoring and specific training programmes which cover various aspects of entrepreneurship, a statement from the government said. 

E-Step is a specially crafted programme for students, startups and entrepreneurs to understand the basics of entrepreneurship from experienced trainers. The first phase of E-Step will organise day-long boot camps across all New Age Incubation Networks (NAIN) across the state, it said. Bootcamps are being held at 30 colleges in Mandya, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Ballari, Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura , Kalaburagi and Bidar.  

“The government of Karnataka is keen to instill the spirit of entrepreneurship and E-Step is one such initiative where we identify and groom young talent. We have received an overwhelming response to bootcamps across the state with over 400 registrations per day. Till now, 2,499 students between the age group of 18 and 26 have registered with almost 50 percent being female participants. E-Step helps in lateral and inclusive growth and further enhances our outreach to Tier II and Tier III cities. Our aim is to leverage the talent pool in the state to augment Karnataka’s position as the Startup Capital of India” said E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka.

Bootcamp acts as a platform for ideation where teams will work on various ideas based on problems, solutions, competitors and customer. They will also work on product design and marketing. There will be a session on product development, sales and customer engagement, business model and creation of a pitch deck, the statement said. The bootcamp also includes a mock pitch session and a mentor talk.