Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women (MCM DAV College for Women) is improving its focus on student entrepreneurship through a two-day startup event that gives young innovators a chance to present ideas and interact with mentors. The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) organises the event titled “Pitch. Connect. Grow. – Startup Demo and Mentor Linkage Day”.
Startup demo day aims to help students move beyond classroom ideas and understand how a business concept can be developed into a practical startup. A total of 38 student teams take part in the event and present ideas before experts and mentors from different fields.
Students Present Business Ideas
First day, focuses on startup presentations and product demonstrations. Students explain their business ideas while covering important areas such as the problem they want to solve, their proposed solution, target customers and unique selling proposition.
Teams also discuss possible social impact, SWOT analysis, implementation plans and future growth opportunities. The presentations give students an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, teamwork, confidence and their ability to understand business challenges.
Students also receive space to set up stalls and display their startup concepts, prototypes and products. This allows them to move beyond formal presentations and directly interact with visitors and other participants.
The stall activity gives students practical experience in explaining a product, answering questions and understanding how people respond to a business idea. Such interaction can help young founders identify gaps in their concepts and improve their communication skills.
Second day, shifts the focus towards mentoring and direct interaction with an experienced entrepreneur. College alumna Kajal Dubey engages with the participating teams and shares practical lessons on turning innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
Her guidance covers areas including market research, scalability, branding, customer engagement, financial planning and implementation. Students also learn about the importance of consistency, teamwork, problem-solving and professional networking while building a startup.
Startup Ideas Become Stronger
Mentoring session helps participants understand that developing a startup involves more than having an innovative product or idea. Entrepreneurs also need to identify customers, study market demand, manage finances and create a practical plan for growth.
The interaction gives students an opportunity to discuss their concepts, understand real-world business challenges and improve their startup pitches. It also exposes them to the decision-making process that founders face while moving from an early idea towards a market-ready venture.
Officiating Principal Neena Sharma appreciates the efforts of the organising committee, mentors, faculty members and students involved in the programme. She stresses the importance of creating opportunities where young learners can develop creativity, leadership and problem-solving abilities.
She also encourages students to turn their ideas into socially useful, sustainable and meaningful startup ventures. The college views such activities as a way to give students practical exposure alongside their academic learning.
What is Startup Demo Day
A Startup Demo Day is an event where entrepreneurs or student teams present their business ideas, products or prototypes to experts, mentors, investors or a wider audience. The goal is not only to showcase an idea but also to receive feedback and understand how the concept can become a viable business.
For students, such events can provide an early introduction to the startup ecosystem. They learn how to explain a problem clearly, present a solution, identify customers and respond to questions from experienced professionals. Mentor interaction can further help them identify weaknesses and improve their plans before attempting a larger launch.
The two-day programme reflects the growing role of educational institutions in encouraging entrepreneurship among young people. By combining startup pitches, product demonstrations and mentor sessions, MCM provides students with both presentation experience and practical business guidance.
Event also creates a space where students can test their ideas outside the classroom. As more colleges introduce innovation and entrepreneurship programmes, initiatives such as Startup Demo Day can help students understand the steps involved in building businesses and encourage them to explore entrepreneurship as a career option.
