The 4^th YESummit was concluded in which 25 ideas selected from 5 different categories for support and mentorships out of 85 ideas presented by youth and women who have come from different parts of India. Mr. Nawab Mallik, Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Maharashtra and Youth Abhinav Kumar, Vice President, Paytm distributed the prizes for the winners. The program was organised by  YouthAid Foundation in association with various social organisations and support organisations in Pune.

Deepika Patil Pune, Prem Kumar Osmanabad, Neelam Ambre Pune, Kaushal Kumar from Raipur, Murali Krishna Hyderabad, won best idea prizes in the categories, Hospitality and Tourism, Agri & Allied Business, Mirco-Business, Social Impact, Technology and Innovation respectively.

The Yesummit was inaugurated in the presence of  Shri Remesh Thorat, Chairperson PDCC Bank, Prof Ujjwal Choudhury, Pro-vice chancellor, Adamas Univeristy, Mini Bedi, Chairperson DST and Cijo Varghese, Manager, Innovation Society, GoM, in the presence of 200 entrepreneurs from 10 states.

Kalpana Dhotre from Indapur was awarded the best entrepreneur of the Year. She expressed her gratitude and shared how as a woman who was restricted to kitchen,  motivated to come out and even providing employment to another 10 women from her village.

Mini Bedi, Founder of DST appreciated the fact that women are breaking domestic barriers to become entrepreneurs and added that  mentoring and motivation will change the scenario and lead to more women in entrepreneurial role and increase their participation inour economy.

Mathew Mattam shared that the vision of YESummit  is to  initiate entrepreneurship program which can convert the challenge of unemployment into an avenue for suitable livelihood especially for young people and women from urban, rural and tribal areas and there by achieve the sustainable development goals.

Hansdhoj Sonawane, Deputy Director TDD shared that need for promoting entrepreneurship among tribal who live in the periphery of society and geography but have immense creative and entrepreneurial potential.

Experienced mentor and entrepreneurship trainer BR Venkatesh spoke that a forum like this an  opportunity for those willing to ASK “Always Seeking knowledge”. Through his session he convinced entrepreneurs to break mental blocks and notions that all business requires investment. He explained YESUMMIT tagline of “ CONCEIVE….BELIEVE ..ACHIEVE’.  The starting point of business is an idea contrary to the prevalent notion of investment.

Mr Vikram Ugale, Managing Director of Chain of hotels,  Curry Leaves group shared his story of building Curry Leaves group from a road side outlet in Nashik. Lata Gaikwad from Jhimil Electronics shared her story of starting LED Lights Business in Pune. The session was chaired by Mr Umesh Bansi, Founder and CEO of Eyes Group Mr Umesh highlighted the need to have conviction in one’s ideas.

Kajol Jha, Glocal Nepal inaugurated the exhibition supported by NABARD to provide a platform to Self Help Groups from different parts of Maharashtra, who showcased their products. The exhibition will also provide a business platform for them to sell their products.

“Shivar’ soap born out a social entrepreneurship, Sejal Phenyl, handwash and dishwash products made by women entrepreneurs of Yerwada community YouthAid.Nidhi to provide credit to the entrepreneurs were launched

Why Business fail?, The power of entrepreneurs, scripting your business plan, legal compliances for successful business, the power of digital spaces etc were taken up by various resource persons and mentors come from different parts of the country.

Business legends like Dr Ganesh Natrajan, Chairperson 5F World, PCC & SVP India, Dev Bhattacharya, President, Aditya Birla Groups, Uma Natrajan, Chairperson, GTT, Ruchi Mathur, CEO, Pune City Connect, Reshmi Ranade, Co-founder of Studio Copper spoke on the occasion. Pravin Jadhav, Director CYDA welcomed the guests and Priya Kothari, head YESUMMIT gave the vote of thanks.