3rd Kailawn

Mizoram Kailawn 2019: Business Plan Contest & Entrepreneurship Summit

Mizoram Kailawn is recognized as a brand that encourages, promotes and connects entrepreneurs across the state. Mizoram Kailawn is a multi-stakeholder initiative of the Government of Mizoram through the Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (EDS) monitored by Mizoram State Entrepreneurship Development Monitoring Committee (MEDMOC), and executed by knowledge partner Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), with local partner Mizoram Consultancy Group (MzCG). 

From the time when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 22 June 2017, Mizoram Kailawn has delivered in its primary objective to create a statewide entrepreneurial culture. Every year, Mizoram Kailawn continues to build its network of supporting partners so as to provide a better platform and network for entrepreneurs within the Mizoram Kailawn umbrella. The supporting partners for Mizoram Kailawn 2019 included Mizoram University Incubation Centre, TATA Trusts, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), ZONET Cable TV Pvt Ltd, Radio Gup-Shup 94.3FM, and TowerBee. 

The third edition of Mizoram Kailawn was launched on 17 June 2019, by honourable Chief Secretary Pu Lalnunmawia Chuaungo. Thereafter, Outreach and Awareness Programmes were conducted in each district capital by the MzCG team and District Master Trainers chosen under the Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (EDS). Awareness programmes focused on entrepreneurship awareness as well as a call for invitation to apply for the business plan competition. District Outreach and Awareness Programs were coordinated with the support of Offices of the Deputy Commissioner. A total of nine Outreach and Awareness Programs were conducted for Mizoram Kailawn 2019, with approximately 150-200 attendees for each program. 

 Boot Camp and Finals

A total of 456 participants registered for Mizoram Kailawn 2019, an increase from the 330 applicants in 2018, and 287 in 2017. Evaluators from IIM Calcutta Innovation Park shortlisted 40 Finalists to take part in the Boot Camp/Training programme hosted at the Tourist Lodge in Chaltlang, Aizawl.  Given that evaluators conduct a blind evaluation of the applications, it is truly remarkable that there was representation from all districts among the Top 40 Finalists. Women founders/entrepreneurs represented 32.5% (13 women) of the Finalists selected to participate in the Boot Camp/Training.   

True to the inclusive nature of Mizoram Kailawn, the Top 40 Finalist business plans covered a range of sectors, whether at idea stage or start-up phase. Business plans spanned all sectors including Agriculture and Allied, Manufacturing, Service Industry, Food and Beverage, Handicrafts, Food Processing, and Information Technology amongst others. The finalists selected spanned in age as well, where the youngest was 20 years old and the most senior finalist was 65 years old. The four-day residential Boot Camp was packed with rigorous sessions by IIMCIP Mentors who covered sessions on business presentation pitches, financial projections, idea valuation and other aspects required of a viable business. Mentors from IIMCIP included Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO IIMCIP; Gaurav Kapoor, Head of Social Entrepreneurship, IIMCIP; Professor Chandradeep Mitra, Mentor, IIMCIP; Suman Mukhopadhyay, Mentor, IIMCIP; Devashish Gupta, Mentor, IIMCIP; and Debapratim Das, Mentor, IIMCIP. The IIMCIP Mentors were joined by EDS Master Trainers who provided additional support during one-on-one mentoring sessions. 

The Top 40 Finalists were expected to apply their learnings and present their business plans to the judging panel on the final day of the Boot Camp. Supporting partner representatives, Dr. Laldinliana Varte, Director/Coordinator, MZU Inclubation Centre and Smt. Lalthasangi, Assistant Manager NEDFi Aizawl Branch, joined IIMCIP mentors to serve as panellists for the semi-final round. The Top 20 Finalists were then shortlisted at the close of the Boot Camp, and delivered their final presentations on 16 September 2019. The esteemed panellists for the final round of the business plan competition included Shri Srikant Sastri, IIMCIP Board Chairman and Co-Founder Crayon Data, Shri Bharat Salhotra, Heading National Initiative on Sustainable Mobility & Former Managing Director Alstom India; Dr. Franklin Ralte, Local Entrepreneur; Dr. James Lalthansanga, Programme Officer TATA Trusts; and Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO IIMCIP.