RT team
The Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar’s Research & Entrepreneurship Park (REP) recently hosted a two-day Open Innovation Workshop on September 13th and 14th, 2024. This workshop, conducted in collaboration with India Accelerator, aimed to equip corporate leaders and entrepreneurs with the latest open innovation strategies. Participants were encouraged to use these methodologies to leverage external expertise and startups to create innovative solutions and tackle industry challenges.
The event attracted corporate leaders, innovation managers, and R&D teams from top companies such as NTPC, Tata Steel, Grid Controller of India, and Bajaj Electricals. Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, emphasized the importance of integrating skill development, research capability, and entrepreneurship into modern education. He noted that entrepreneurship, once viewed merely as a means to make money, is now seen as a crucial wealth generation skill that should be introduced early in higher education.
Dr. Soobhankar Pati, CEO of REP, highlighted the park’s role in bridging the gap between ideas and execution. REP provides essential resources, mentorship, and a collaborative environment that transforms innovative ideas into real-world solutions. The workshop featured various sessions and panel discussions led by experts like Mr. Arindam Mukhopadhyay and Mr. Deepak Sharma, focusing on open innovation in practice and strategies for effective collaboration within the startup ecosystem.
Overall, the workshop underscored IIT Bhubaneswar’s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and professionals alike, aiming to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators.
Source: IIT-Bhubaneswar
