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In a time when startups are reshaping industries and economies, Aarohan 2025, the flagship startup summit of the Atal Incubation Centre at JK Lakshmipat University (AIC–JKLU), emerged as a compelling convergence of ambition, insight, and community.

Hosted on the vibrant JKLU campus, the day-long summit brought together entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, educators, and students—united by a common belief in the transformative power of purposeful innovation.

The summit opened with a thought-provoking keynote by Mr. R Gopalakrishnan —renowned author, corporate advisor, and former Director at Tata Sons Limited. In his deeply reflective address, Mr. Gopalakrishnan emphasised that startups should be seen not merely as ambitions to pursue but as responsibilities to uphold—calling for a conscious blend of sustainability, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning in the pursuit of business success.

Aarohan 2025 was thoughtfully curated to mirror both the realities and aspirations of the entrepreneurial journey. Through a rich mix of fireside chats (under the theme Creative Bootstraping), roundtable discussions, student-led activities, and structured networking, the summit offered actionable insights for every stage of the startup lifecycle.

One of the most dynamic segments of the day was CrowdVenture, a live crowdfunding platform where emerging founders pitched their ideas to a diverse audience of investors, mentors, and peers. The session combined the intensity of investment pitching with the accessibility of real-time feedback, providing student entrepreneurs with a powerful opportunity to refine their ideas and secure early-stage support.

Running in parallel was the Startup Expo, a vibrant exhibition of startups across sectors—from emerging technologies and sustainability-focused ventures to creative enterprises and social impact initiatives. This year, student-led ventures were at the forefront, with many participants not only showcasing prototypes but also engaging with customers, selling products, and gathering first-hand market feedback. The event witnessed the participation of over 300 students from outside JKLU.

Aarohan 2025 also placed strong emphasis on student ownership and experiential learning. Be it setting up product stalls, hosting interactive games, or participating in business mentoring clinics, students took center stage—learning by doing and interacting with real audiences in a live marketplace environment.

The roundtable on entrepreneurial education in schools was another highlight—offering a forward-looking discussion on how early exposure, creativity, and problem-solving mindsets can be meaningfully integrated into India’s academic framework. Voices from academia, edtech, and the startup ecosystem came together to discuss how we can inspire future creators from a young age.

Throughout the summit, mentoring sessions—both formal and spontaneous—allowed aspiring founders to engage directly with industry veterans, ask tough questions, and gain honest, experience-driven advice. These one-on-one moments were among the most meaningful for students, as they bridged the gap between curiosity and clarity.