Annapoorna Trust’s address during the BCIC Event, July 19th, 2024
The 4th Edition of the Emerging Star Startup Award ’24, organized by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), took place on July 19th, 2024, at Hotel Holiday Inn, Race Course Road, Bengaluru. This event aimed to recognize startups in various sectors, showcasing innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) is the Apex Chamber of Commerce representing large and medium industries in the State of Karnataka, with currently a membership of 850 companies from sectors in Manufacturing, IT/ITES, Biotechnology, Engineering, Legal, etc. The ceremony saw participation from prominent entities like Brigade Group, MTR Group, TVS Group, Tata Hitachi, Ramaiah Institute of Management, and Deshpande Startups.
Mr. Ashish Bhardwaj, National Manager CSR, and Mr. Sushanth Karanth, National Manager – Corporate Communications, representing the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, were glad to accept the invitation to participate in the event.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. S Devarajan, President of BCIC, followed by opening remarks from Jairaj K, Chairman of the Jury for the BCIC Startup Awards, who brings extensive administrative experience from his tenure as an IAS officer.
Dr. Lakshmi Jagannathan, Chair of the BCIC Start-Up Expert Committee and CEO of IIIT-B Innovation Center, played a pivotal role in nurturing and acknowledging new startups across various fields. Her contributions underscore the commitment of BCIC in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Karnataka.
The event also featured presentations from distinguished partners like Ramada by Wyndham Bengaluru, Manasum Senior Living, Jollywood Studios & Adventures, and Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.
Mr. Ashish Bhardwaj, representing the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, highlighted the organization’s impactful initiatives during his address. He mentioned that ‘SaiSure’ Mult nutrient Health Mix is being served to the government school-going children as part of Morning Nutrition Program. The impact of the Ragi Millet on the children has been profound. He also shared his inputs as to how Annapoorna Morning Nutrition program is adding value to existing Government schemes like the National Nutrition Mission & also working in tandem with Government & Institutions for the benefit of society.
In addition to this, he emphasized that SaiSure Mix not only enhanced the flavor of the drink but also added significant benefits to the children. There is a monitored increase in measurable parameters such as weight, height, and hemoglobin levels. The children attending school have shown consistent and positive attendance.
Following which noteworthy insights were shared by Mr. Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner and Founder of Ideaspring Capital, emphasizing the importance of increased venture capital investment in manufacturing. This sector, unlike software development, faces unique challenges such as long-term planning, establishing robust manufacturing processes, and achieving market readiness, making it less attractive to investors despite its critical economic role for the progress of any nation.
Overall, the 4th Edition of the Emerging Star Startup Award ’24 by BCIC not only celebrated innovation but also underscored the collaborative efforts of industry leaders, investors, and supportive organizations in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in Karnataka.
