In a bold endeavor to infuse an entrepreneurial spirit among school students, the Delhi Government launched ‘Business Blasters’ in September 2021. Aimed at sowing the seeds of innovation and self-sufficiency in the minds of the youth, the program has garnered significant attention, not just in India but globally.
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About Business Blasters
Under this groundbreaking initiative, around 450,000 students from grades 11 & 12 in Delhi Government schools were given an opportunity to turn their business ideas into reality. With an initial seed fund of ₹2000 provided to each student, a total of 51,000 teams were formed. These teams, through pooling resources, could access up to ₹20,000 as seed capital.
From conceptualization to implementation, the students were tasked with creating businesses that were either profit-oriented or catered to solving social issues. Out of the plethora of business ideas generated, zonal panels shortlisted 1,000 potential ventures. These select teams were then mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs to enhance and scale their businesses.
Student Ventures and Their Growth
Several students put forth innovative business ideas, showcasing their acumen and creativity. Some of these include:
- Eco-straws:
- Idea: Manufacturing eco-friendly, biodegradable straws as an alternative to plastic straws.
- Potential Growth: With the global shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly products, such businesses have vast market potential. As awareness grows, this business could diversify into other sustainable kitchenware.
- Tech Tutor:
- Idea: Offering tutorials for software applications and digital tools.
- Potential Growth: The digitization wave in India provides ample opportunities for such ventures. They can expand into app development or online courses for broader subjects.
- Agrify Solutions:
- Idea: Organic farming kits for urban households.
- Potential Growth: As urban farming and organic foods become trends, this business has the potential to branch into various agritech solutions.
- Upcycled Crafts:
- Idea: Creating and selling art and utility items from recycled materials.
- Potential Growth: With growing environmental concerns, upcycling businesses could gain traction and diversify into workshops, online sales, or collaborations with sustainable brands.
- Localite Tours:
- Idea: Organizing community-based tourism experiences in Delhi’s historic and cultural spots.
- Potential Growth: Experiential tourism is on the rise, and such ventures can expand to other cities or offer specialized tours like culinary, heritage, etc.
- HealthSnack:
- Idea: Producing and selling healthy, organic snacks for school children.
- Potential Growth: With a shift towards health-conscious diets, the demand for such products is likely to surge. There’s potential for partnerships with schools, cafés, or e-commerce platforms.
- TutorBuddy:
- Idea: An online platform connecting students with tutors in their locality.
- Potential Growth: Edtech is booming in India, and such platforms can scale by diversifying their offerings or expanding geographically.
- ElderlyCare App:
- Idea: An app to connect the elderly with services like health check-ups, grocery deliveries, or companionship.
- Potential Growth: With a growing elderly population in India, such services will be in high demand. The platform could diversify into telemedicine, virtual entertainment, or collaborations with healthcare providers.
- DesiFashion Hub:
- Idea: Selling contemporary clothing with traditional Indian designs and fabrics.
- Potential Growth: The fusion of traditional and modern appeals to a broad audience, allowing for potential expansion both domestically and internationally.
- Clean Energy Kits:
- Idea: DIY kits for households to harness solar or wind energy.
- Potential Growth: As the world shifts to renewable energy, such ventures can capitalize on offering solutions for urban households, eventually leading to collaborations with larger clean energy firms.
These potential business ideas and their growth trajectories align with the initiative’s vision to instill an entrepreneurial mindset among students and make them contributors to India’s socio-economic fabric.
Inception and Aim: Business Blasters
The foundational premise of Business Blasters lies in redefining the educational ethos. As Ms. Atishi Marlena, the Education Minister of the Delhi Government, pointed out, the program aspires to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students. By integrating the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum (EMC) and Business Blasters into the academic structure, the initiative is steering the nation closer to a future where students emerge as job providers rather than mere job seekers. This sentiment is further echoed by Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, who envisions a paradigm shift in the aspirations of India’s youth.
Latest Developments and Outcomes
Since its inception, Business Blasters has witnessed several notable milestones. One of the significant developments has been the mentorship sessions facilitated by industry giants. Recently, teams from Delhi Government schools participated in a mentorship session organized by Amazon India, where they were enlightened about marketing, branding, scaling growth, sales, and financial management.
Earlier sessions saw students gaining insights from stalwarts from leading firms like Dell, TCS, NatWest, and BCG. Such experiences provide these budding entrepreneurs with invaluable exposure and skill enhancement, further equipping them for success in the global business landscape.
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In the words of Delhi Education Minister Atishi, the Business Blasters program isn’t just about businesses; it’s about creating future leaders – leaders who can lead not just India, but the world. Given the program’s initial success and its holistic approach to entrepreneurial education, it seems poised to revolutionize the Indian education system and the entrepreneurial landscape in the years to come.
