by Suman Gupta
Mumbai: The Investor Conference ’24, organised by the Powerful Group, commenced on Saturday, bringing together leading figures in entrepreneurship, investment, and rural development.
The conclave was inaugurated by esteemed guests, including Advocate Manasvi Thapar (Political thinker and Serial Entrepreneur ), Amit Parikh (National President of the MSME and Startup Forum Bharat), Ms.Lipi Khandhar.
Vasundhara Pawar, Founder of Step2StepUp Inc. and the Powerful Group, delivered the opening address, outlining the vision of the conclave as a platform to foster impactful investments and promote sustainable economic growth through national and international collaborations.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Pawar stated, “The Investor Conference ’24 aims to shape the future of entrepreneurship in India. From empowering women entrepreneurs to advancing rural development projects, this conclave is committed to creating opportunities and driving sustainable growth in the Indian economy.”
Kunaall Devmane, Co-Founder of the Powerful Group, highlighted the organisation’s goal to create 50,000 employment opportunities nationwide through a return-on-investment-based, scientifically proven methodology—the first of its kind globally. Global Business and networking Ms. Nehal Mehta added, “Platforms like the Powerful Group bridge diverse perspectives and foster collaborations, aligning with the evolving global business landscape.”
The event featured engaging sessions and panel discussions, including a session on “Women Making a Difference in Entrepreneurship.” Distinguished speakers such as Lipi Khandhar, Vice President of Gujarat BJP’s Women Wing, Smita Vasant, Founder of LA India Fashion Week, and Sadhana Bendrey, Partner at Shrunk 3D, shared their insights. Ms. Khandhar emphasised initiatives to address last-mile challenges for women entrepreneurs and highlighted the importance of raising awareness about government policies benefiting women in business.
Keynote addresses include speech by Advocate Manasvi Thapar, Serial Investor and Founder of Candour Legal, on “Impact Entrepreneurship through Effective Mentorship.” He highlighted India’s unique entrepreneurial strengths, including a burgeoning talent pool and a dynamic startup ecosystem, emphasising the role of mentorship in empowering youth entrepreneurs to innovate and contribute to India’s economic progress.
A session on leveraging technology for MSME growth featured insights from Amit Parikh, Advocate Durgesh Gupta, and Vinay Punamiya, focusing on the transformative role of technology in enhancing small and medium-scale enterprises.
The conference also marked the launch of the Project Humanity Initiative, a comprehensive programme designed to enhance education and employment in rural India. Key elements include the establishment of a Free Entrepreneurship Management Institute offering a 24-month, tuition-free master’s program, aimed at cultivating 240 entrepreneurs within the next four years. Additionally, the initiative includes a project to develop cost-effective retirement and healthcare facilities in Northeast India, Creating more job opportunities for next 2 decades. These facilities will provide affordable housing and medical care in oxygen-rich hilly regions.
The event concluded with a discussion on investment opportunities in Indian rural infrastructure and development, featuring industry leaders such as Anchal Saxena, Chairman of RE/MAX India. The panel underscored the viability of guaranteed returns on investments in rural infrastructure projects, positioning them as critical drivers of India’s future growth.
