On March 21st, 2025, Inspiria Knowledge Campus buzzed with creativity and innovation as it hosted the Techstars Startup Weekend Siliguri. This event, organised in collaboration with local startup ecosystem enablers, aimed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs through a weekend-long entrepreneurial boot camp and startup ideation program.
Day 1 - Event Kickoff and Introduction
The day kicked off with enthusiastic participants arriving at Inspiria Knowledge Campus for registration and networking. Attendees received their welcome kits, packed with event essentials and Techstars merchandise.
The event officially commenced with a warm welcome from the facilitator, setting the stage for an intense and rewarding entrepreneurial journey. Participants were introduced to Techstars, a global network that fosters entrepreneurship worldwide, highlighting its pivotal role in supporting startups.
Mindfulness and Team-Building Session
Following the introduction, Sunita Lama, a mindfulness and team-building expert, conducted a mindful team-building session. Emphasizing the importance of focus, presence, and stress management in entrepreneurial environments, the session aimed to equip participants with essential skills for the challenges ahead.
This was followed by the highlight of the day: the pitching session. Participants who had prepared startup ideas delivered concise 1-minute pitches, presenting their problem statements, proposed solutions, and envisioned impact areas. The facilitator guided the pitches, emphasizing key elements of a strong presentation.
Networking and Strategy Sessions
Throughout the evening, participants enjoyed refreshments and networking opportunities, further solidifying team dynamics and brainstorming initial strategies. Breakout sessions allowed teams to delve deeper into problem validation and strategic planning, guided by mentor advice and peer feedback. The day culminated with a networking dinner, where discussions continued late into the night, nurturing creativity and camaraderie.
Day 2 - Workshop and Knowledge Sessions
The second day of Techstars Startup Weekend Siliguri at Inspiria Knowledge Campus was packed with learning, mentorship, and hands-on execution.
The first workshop of the day was led by Nisha Kotecha, who conducted an engaging session on business ideation, problem-solving, and execution strategies. Participants explored ways to refine and validate their startup concepts, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and tackle real-world business challenges with critical thinking.
The session provided them with the necessary tools to strengthen their ideas before moving on to structuring their business models.
Following the workshop, teams immersed themselves in focused working sessions, engaging in market validation and identifying key challenges. Collaboration was at its peak as participants brainstormed, debated, and fine-tuned their startup concepts.
This was followed by a hands-on workshop on the Business Model Canvas (BMC) conducted by Mr. Sumit Sinhal. The session helped participants break down their business ideas into structured components, focusing on defining their value propositions, understanding customer segments, and mapping out revenue streams and key activities.
By the end of the session, teams had a clearer roadmap to shape their business models effectively.
One on One Mentorships
The afternoon was dedicated to one-on-one mentorship sessions, where participants had the opportunity to receive personalized guidance from experienced industry experts. Sangeeta Reddy provided insights into market feasibility and customer validation, while Vivek Bawri advised on financial planning, taxation, and legal compliance.
Shayan Saria guided teams on investment strategies and startup growth, and Dominic Syanbo Tamang shared expertise on branding and marketing. Other mentors, including Dr. Tshewang Narbu Bhutia, Pritam Subba, and Ashish Syanbo Tamang, covered topics such as sustainable business models, project management, and storytelling for startups.
These tailored sessions allowed participants to refine their strategies, strengthen their business models, and gain valuable industry perspectives.
Workshops and Feedback
As the evening approached, Mr. Pradeep Yuvaraj led an insightful workshop on storytelling and pitching. Participants learned how to craft a compelling and persuasive startup story, blending emotional appeal with data to make their pitches more impactful. The session also focused on structuring an investor-ready pitch deck and honing public speaking skills, preparing teams for the final presentation.
The day concluded with another round of working time, where teams incorporated mentor feedback, refined their pitch decks, and worked on perfecting their business strategies. With the competition reaching its final stage, the energy was electric, and teams left the venue determined to give their best in the ultimate pitch session.
Day 3 - The finale
The grand finale of Techstars Startup Weekend Siliguri at Inspiria Knowledge Campus was an electrifying culmination of three days of innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial learning.
The morning was dedicated to working sessions, where teams refined their ideas, made strategic adjustments, and prepared for the crucial mentorship and mock pitching round.
During the mentorship and mock pitching session, each team presented their startup idea to mentors, receiving valuable feedback on refining their delivery, structuring their Q&A responses, and improving their slides. The mentors played a crucial role in fine-tuning the teams’ pitches, helping them improve clarity, confidence, and storytelling.
The final Pitch
As the final pitches approached, teams submitted their presentations, and last-minute tech tests were conducted to ensure smooth execution. A mindfulness session by Sunita Lama helped participants overcome nervousness and boost confidence before stepping onto the stage.
This was followed by an insightful closing presentation by Techstars Facilitator Nisha Kotecha, who shared real-world startup success stories and encouraged participants to take their entrepreneurial journey forward beyond the event.
The most awaited moment of the event—the Final Pitching Session—began in the afternoon. Each team had five minutes to present their startup idea, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the esteemed judges, Sharad Lunia and Ruby Ray Ghosh.
The pitches were evaluated based on problem-solution fit, market potential, innovation, scalability, and team execution. Judges noted the strong business models presented across different industries, with some teams excelling in financial planning while others showcased impressive product innovation.
After an intense round of deliberation, the judges announced the winning teams. Kachdawala secured the winner’s title, while Game On and Maa emerged as the 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.
The top teams received trophies, certificates, and exclusive Techstars Startup Weekend merchandise, recognizing their outstanding innovation and execution. The judges shared valuable insights on what made the winning teams stand out and encouraged all participants to continue working on their startup ideas.
The event concluded with networking and celebration, where participants, mentors, and judges engaged in discussions about potential collaborations and future opportunities.
The final day of Techstars Startup Weekend Siliguri was not just about the competition but about fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, strengthening startup ideas, and building a network of like-minded innovators. With the event coming to a close, participants left with new skills, valuable connections, and the motivation to take their startup journeys forward.
