The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya hosted the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES 2025) on February 14-15, drawing over 1,000 participants from more than 250 institutions across India. The summit brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and academicians to exchange ideas, explore business innovations, and foster a culture of entrepreneurship.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. SK Abu Khalek, Chairperson of the Envision Cell, in the presence of Prof. Sabyasachi Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Career Development Cell, and Mr. Aviral Tiwari, Member of the Board of Governors, IIM Bodh Gaya. Following the inauguration, the title sponsors NABARD and Startup Bihar were represented by Uday Kumar from NABARD, along with Shivendra Kumar and Kunal Prakash from SSU, Startup Bihar. The summit also featured Uttsah Sharma, COO of DOGMA Group, underscoring the importance of industry collaboration in shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Industry experts delivered keynote addresses, providing valuable insights into contemporary business challenges. Awdhesh Krishna, Founder of Strategii At Work, emphasized the need for adaptability and agile leadership in an increasingly unpredictable global economy. Ajay Thakur, CEO of TGI SME Capital Advisors LLP and former SME & Startup Head at BSE, highlighted the crucial role of financial management and capital markets in sustaining entrepreneurial ventures.

A series of high-energy competitions challenged participants to apply their business acumen and strategic thinking. Events such as FUN Fiesta, Marketing Mayhem, and Fish Tank encouraged creativity and commercial awareness, while Pitch Perfect, with a prize pool exceeding ₹1 Lakh, allowed participants to showcase their startup ideas before a panel of experts. Business Wars tested problem-solving under pressure, and the Best Manager contest identified outstanding leadership potential. The total prize pool exceeded ₹2.5 Lakhs, rewarding the brightest minds in the competition.

The summit was supported by NABARD, Startup Bihar, the Bihar Government, and the Department of Industries, reflecting their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship. Industry sponsors DOGMA Group, Campa, and OM Logistics played a vital role in ensuring the event’s success, with OM Logistics overseeing operations and Campa serving as the beverage partner.

In his closing remarks, Prof. SK Abu Khalek described YES 2025 as a launchpad for the next generation of business leaders. Prof. Sabyasachi Mohapatra highlighted the importance of lifelong learning and innovation, while Uday Kumar from Startup Bihar stressed the role of grassroots entrepreneurship in regional development.

YES 2025 set a new benchmark for entrepreneurship summits in India by blending academic excellence with industry expertise and the energy of young innovators. With events like this, IIM Bodh Gaya continues to shape the future of business and entrepreneurship, equipping young leaders with the tools to drive meaningful change.