In an exciting move to inspire the next generation of innovators, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has announced a wonderful new program that will bring successful young entrepreneurs face-to-face with eager students across its affiliated colleges.

The university's Centre for Innovation, Incubation, and Enterprise has launched the 'SPPU Startup Talk Series – Conversations with Young Entrepreneurs,' offering colleges grants of up to Rs 14,000 to host inspiring talks by startup founders and business innovators. The program will run throughout February, creating opportunities for thousands of students to learn directly from those who have turned their dreams into reality.

What makes this initiative particularly heartening is that it addresses a real need expressed by colleges themselves. Professor Devidas Golhar, Director of Innovation and Incubation Linkages at SPPU, shared that many colleges wanted to invite entrepreneurs to speak with their students but lacked the financial resources to do so. "Now, colleges can invite startup founders of their choice," Professor Golhar explained enthusiastically, adding that the university can even provide suggestions for colleges seeking the perfect speakers.

The program's structure is designed for maximum impact and accessibility. Each participating college can host two engaging 90-minute sessions, with the university providing Rs 5,000 as honorarium for each speaker and an additional Rs 2,000 for organizational expenses per talk. These interactive sessions will welcome at least 100 participants, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, and interested faculty members.

The talks will cover the full spectrum of the entrepreneurial journey—from initial inspiration and innovation to navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. Young founders associated with incubators, startups, MSMEs, and innovation ecosystems will share their authentic experiences, providing students with invaluable real-world insights that complement their academic learning.

This initiative represents a beautiful investment in experiential learning, recognizing that hearing directly from successful entrepreneurs can spark inspiration and ambition in ways that textbooks alone cannot achieve. By bringing these conversations directly to campus, SPPU is ensuring that students across all affiliated colleges have equal access to mentorship and motivation, regardless of their institution's individual resources.

The program also complements other forward-thinking initiatives by the university, including startup bootcamps planned for various regions and a Rs 5 lakh funding program for early-stage startups, demonstrating SPPU's comprehensive commitment to nurturing an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For colleges eager to participate in this transformative opportunity, the application process is refreshingly straightforward. Interested institutions simply need to complete an online form by January 20, making it easy for even the smallest colleges to bring these valuable experiences to their students.

This initiative sends a powerful message: every student deserves the opportunity to dream big and learn from those who have successfully walked the entrepreneurial path. By investing in these conversations, SPPU is not just funding talks—it's investing in countless future success stories waiting to unfold.