The Entrepreneurship Development Cell of TERI University, organized an interactive alumni-student talk ?Quaestus? on 3rd February, 2016.The alumni who have ventured in entrepreneurship talked about the challenges, motivation and journey of starting a business venture. Mr. Akhil Sood and Ms. Divakshi Nayar were the key speakers at the event.

Mr. Akhil Sood, did his MBA in Infrastructure from TU in 2014. He is now a successful entrepreneur and is the Founder of KARMABHOOMI, an open society that uses innovative ideas of Buddhist Economics and Karma-centric approaches to solve various socio-economic problems in villages of the country. They have successfully conducted solution-based development projects in places like Ladakh and Turtuk (J&K). He emphasized that delivery of results and quality control were two most important aspects of running a social business. He also shared the importance of understanding the psychology of the buyer and how that could effectively run down your liabilities. He spoke how Karma-Bhoomi is creating a virtual cycle where improved educational outcome is leading to improvement in socio-economic indicators.

Ms. Divakshi Nayar did her MA in Sustainable Development Practice from TERI University in 2013. She is now successfully running her own enterprise by the name Hope Collective, an e-commerce marketplace for unique products made by NGOs and Social Enterprises supporting a variety of causes. The venture aims to develop social entrepreneurship and reduces dependence of NGOs on funding by charity. She highlighted the challenges one may face during the initial period in starting up a business emphasizing how market competition may sometimes let us down. She inspired current students to be resilient and to never give up. She also advised the students regarding the importance of being persistent and focused and passionate about their dreams.

Current students got answers to questions they had in creating an idea and implementing it into a successful business.