Events

R.I.D.E (Research, Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship) is the flagship event of MIT-WPU that took place from August 20th to 24th, 2024, where innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students come together to exchange cutting-edge ideas and drive sustainable solutions. This event is more than just a conference—it's a dynamic platform that fosters research and creativity, inspiring the next generation of change-makers. Through a series of keynote addresses, research presentations, and panel discussions, R.I.D.E at MIT-WPU nurtures a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Inaugural Ceremony: A Grand Beginning

The Inaugural Ceremony of R.I.D.E 2024 set the stage for what would be a series of dynamic discussions. The event kicked off with thought-provoking addresses by our keynote speakers, Col. Asheet Nath, Executive Director at C-DAC, and Shri Prakash Bang, a celebrated entrepreneur and business mentor. Their insights were a perfect precursor to the day's engaging sessions.

The Research Session featured notable speakers like Ms. Meera Tenguria, Founder of The Academy of Sustainability, and Mr. Krunal Jagtap, CEO at Hab Biomass PVT LTD. An expert panel, including Prof. Raghu Murtugudde from IIT Bombay, Mr. Subodh Morey of Boston Scientific India R&D, and Mr. Salil Rana from TriNANO Technologies, led an in-depth discussion on the future of innovation and design, moderated by Dr. Neeraj Mahindroo. This day set the tone for what R.I.D.E aims to achieve: fostering a spirit of research, innovation, design, and entrepreneurship.

Day 2: Exploring New Frontiers

Day 2 of R.I.D.E 2024 was a day full of inspiration and knowledge-sharing. We were honoured to host an exceptional lineup of speakers who are leaders in their respective fields. The keynote speakers for the day included Dr. Priyadarshani Karve, CEO of Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN), Mr. Shashank Verma, Partner at The Breakthrough Company, and Mr. Sridharan Mani, Founder and Managing Director at Aheesa Digital Innovations Pvt. Ltd. Each speaker brought a wealth of experience and unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within their industries, sparking new ideas and fueling innovation among all attendees.

The day also featured an engaging panel discussion with industry experts like Mr. Charan Lakkaraju, Founder & CEO of Student Tribe, Mr. Shivam Singh, CEO & Founder of ExploreiT, Mr. Ripudaman Bevli, Founder of Litter Free India, and Mr. Vimal Panjwani, Founder & CEO of AgriVijay. Their insights into driving sustainable change and innovation were invaluable, leaving the audience with much to ponder.

Day 3: Knowledge and Inspiration

The third day of R.I.D.E 2024 was all about knowledge and inspiration, with industry leaders sharing their expertise. The keynote speakers, including Mr. Maurya Hanspal from JPMorgan Chase & Co, Mr. Ramanuj Singh, Sr. Vice President at Shri Bhagwati Machines Pvt. Ltd, and Mr. Sandip Paul, Chief Industrial Designer & Co-Founder of Paul Studio, provided deep insights into their respective fields.

A highlight of the day was a lively panel discussion on the future of design, sustainability, and innovation. The panel featured Mr. Chetan Sharma from Titan Watches, Mr. Udit Sood from Ecoright, Ms. Chaitsi Ahuja from Brown Living, and Ms. Sneha Ravishankar, a designer. Expertly moderated by Dr. Saurabh Kumar, this discussion was a treasure trove of valuable insights and takeaways.

Day 4: Enriching Experiences and Insights

On the fourth day of R.I.D.E 2024, we had the privilege of hosting thought leaders who shared their invaluable experiences and insights, making it a truly enriching day for all participants. The day began with an insightful address by Mr. Melvin Rufus, Business Head for Pune, Ahmedabad & Nagpur at Swiggy, who provided a deep dive into the strategies that drive success in the highly competitive food delivery industry.

Following this, Ms. CA Rachana Ranade, Founder of Rachana Ranade and Associates, captivated the audience with her expertise in finance and entrepreneurship. Her talk was particularly inspiring for budding entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of financial literacy and strategic planning in building successful ventures.

The day continued with a captivating fireside chat featuring Ms. Bhawana Bhatnagar, Co-founder of We Founder Circle. She discussed the challenges and opportunities facing startups in today’s market, sharing her experiences and offering advice to those looking to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

The event culminated in an engaging panel discussion with a diverse group of industry leaders, including Mr. Amod Kulkarni, Founder of The Kapda Project, Mr. Kapel Malhotra, MD & Founder of the Total Solutions Group, Ms. Monica Gupta, Co-founder of Earlyseed Ventures, and Ms. Gauri Kavi, Co-Founder of Swardhara. These panellists brought a wealth of knowledge to the discussion, exploring topics related to entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation, sparking meaningful conversations.

Valedictory Session: A Grand Finale

The Valedictory Session of R.I.D.E 2024 marked the conclusion of our event, celebrating a week filled with knowledge-sharing and collaboration. The day began with a serene Lamp Lighting and Bell Ringing Ceremony, followed by a heartfelt World Peace Prayer and the National Song, setting the tone for a meaningful conclusion.

We were privileged to have Acharya Sri Shivam, Founder of Shivoham, as our keynote speaker. His inspiring address resonated deeply with all present, setting the stage for the final discussions of the event. The Special Guest of Honor, Smt. Pinky Rajpal, Chairperson of FICCI FLO, Pune Chapter, shared her insights and experiences, offering invaluable advice to the attendees. Following her, Ms. Rajyalakshmi Rao, Founder Chairperson of the All India Foundation of Deaf Women, Author & Former Member Judge of the National Consumer Disputes Commission, and Former 1st Woman President of WIC, delivered an inspiring address that resonated deeply with the audience.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta from the Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), provided a powerful keynote speech, emphasising the importance of resilience and preparedness in today’s world. His words were a fitting conclusion to the event, underlining the significance of research, innovation, and sustainable development.

A dynamic panel discussion featuring Dr. Neeraj Mahindroo, Dr. Prashant Iyer, and the organisers of R.I.D.E and the Startup Expo provided further insights into innovation and entrepreneurship. A special moment of the session was the felicitation of our keynote speaker and organisers, a token of our appreciation for their invaluable contributions. As we conclude this edition of R.I.D.E, we look forward to continuing this journey of learning and innovation with the same enthusiasm and spirit.

Student Experience

"In 2022, the campus buzzed with a single word: R.I.D.E. It was then that my friend suggested, “Let’s attend the orientation,” and that’s where my journey with R.I.D.E began.

Now, in 2024, I reflect on how R.I.D.E has been a transformative platform for me. It provided invaluable insights into startups, industry dynamics, and technology. More importantly, it shaped my entrepreneurial mindset, encouraged innovation, and taught me the essentials of team building and stepping beyond my comfort zone. Through R.I.D.E, I’ve connected with new people, gained their perspectives, and applied these lessons to my own journey. My experience with R.I.D.E has been instrumental in my growth and success."

Harsh Chaudhary ,TY Bsc Cyber Security, Organiser : Speaker Relations

“Reflecting on my journey leading the content team with R.I.D.E. 2024, I’m reminded of the energy, passion, and sense of purpose that characterised not just the event, but also my entire college experience. The late night discussions we had, the connections we made, and the impact we aimed to create all came together as we set the stage for the event. Looking back, I realise that R.I.D.E. 2024 wasn’t just about bringing together people for a cause, it was about bringing together everything I had learned, everything I believed in, and everyone I had grown with during my time in college. It was a powerful reminder that the true value of college lies not just in academics, but in the opportunities it provides to contribute to something greater than oneself.”

Riddhi Attarde, Sy electrical and computer engineering, Innovation Executive : Content Head

Volunteer Testimonies

“R.I.D.E, it was just a normal word that meant to sit on a vehicle and go around. But today, now that I reflect back on the past few weeks, I think it's safe to say that this meaning has changed for good. R.I.D.E, now is not just about Research, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship to me. It's about the joy it brings to me to reflect back on the amazing memories that I made whilst volunteering for it. I will forever be grateful for the people I met, the connections I made, and most of all the amazing mentors and heads I met. Moreover, I really enjoyed the lectures on the diverse topics that helped me grow my learning in different fields, through the journey of the inspirational speakers.

One of my most favourite speakers was Mr. Prakash Bang, he gave an amazing speech on his journey and the particular 6 tips that he mentioned about being an entrepreneur. At last, I enjoyed my heart out at the cultural night with everyone! Overall, I had the most memorable journey of my college life here!”

Vibhuti Bubna, SY BA Liberal Arts

“Despite being in the second year , R.I.D.E was the first event I volunteered for . Ever since my first year I had heard about R.I.D.E and about the amazing experience of organising it . After my experience I can say with 100% certainty that Organising R.I.D.E is one of the most fun , insightful and truly amazing experiences .
Being a part of the marketing team , we organised mini events , set stalls and created a ton of social media content . Although all of this was a lot of work , doing all of this with the amazing team was extremely fun .

The event itself was also very insightful and I learnt a lot from it . One of my most anticipated speakers was CA Rachana Ranade ,whom I have been following for a long time . Her speech was truly a memorable one making Finance Fun . Apart from this the spectacular band performance by the Cultural Club in the Cultural night was definitely a memory that I will never forget . Sitting with the rest of my feelings engulfed in spectacular music definitely was a highlight in my R.I.D.E journey .”

Ayush Agarwal, SY BBA General

“Volunteering for R.I.D.E 2024 at MIT-WPU was a truly rewarding experience that let me combine my love for videography with my interest in entrepreneurship. As the main cameraman, I took on a role almost like a director, creating reels and videos that captured the lively spirit of the event. I worked closely with my team to make sure our content connected with people on social media.

One of the most memorable parts for me was the Entrepreneurship Panel, which I found really inspiring. I even got the chance to interview Maurya Hanspal, one of the speakers, and learn more about the world of entrepreneurship. This whole experience taught me a lot about working in a team, telling stories through visuals, and deepened my understanding of business and innovation. Being part of R.I.D.E 2024 was a special experience that blended my creativity with my curiosity for entrepreneurship.”

Giriraj Chouhan, FY MBA HR