CE Shreekant Patil, conducted a highly engaging four-hour session as part of the AMRUT Suryamitra training program at Rajashri Shahu Maharaj Polytechnic, Nashik on 30th March, 2025. The session, which was part of Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development - MCEDs free residential Solar PV Installation Repairing & Maintenance program, covered important topics such as setting up MSMEs, available government support mechanisms, and the Start-Up & Stand-Up India schemes. Shreekant Patil's session helped open doors for aspiring entrepreneurs to better understand government initiatives and opportunities in the solar energy sector, leaving participants satisfied and eager for more. CE Shreekant Patil, Senior Consultant at the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and Mentor at Startup India, led a four-hour session for aspiring entrepreneurs at the AMRUT Suryamitra training workshop organized by the Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (MCED). The session, held at Rajashri Shahu Maharaj Polytechnic in Nashik, was aimed at equipping participants with essential knowledge on MSME setup, government schemes, and opportunities in the solar energy sector. CE Shreekant Patil, who is also the Committee Chairman of NIMA and MACCIA, used his expertise to explain how aspiring entrepreneurs can set up and manage their own MSMEs. He focused on the Start-Up & Stand-Up India schemes and discussed the various support mechanisms available from the government for entrepreneurs. His insightful session offered a step-by-step approach to understanding these schemes, including the benefits and processes associated with each. Additionally, Shreekant Patil shared insights of Startup India, Standup India, various government subsidy schemes for women, importance & process of udyoam registration, support mechanism for MSMEs, and how to set up MSME or small business. The workshop was held from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the Switch Gear and Protection Lab of the Electrical Engineering Department at Rajashri Shahu Maharaj Polytechnic. The session was highly interactive, with Patil answering numerous questions from the participants, ensuring their full satisfaction with the material presented. Many attendees expressed their gratitude for the practical insights and requested follow-up sessions to further explore the topics. The AMRUT Suryamitra training program is a free residential initiative offered by MCED, running from March 28 to April 5, 2025. It aims to provide training in Solar PV installation, repairing, and maintenance, and is part of MCED's broader efforts to develop skilled human resources and foster entrepreneurship. This session was a valuable opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs in Nashik to gain deeper insights into government schemes and the renewable energy industry, laying the foundation for future business ventures.

A two-hour training session on Entrepreneurship, soft skill and the Startup India Initiative was held for over 35 newly recruited Government ITI vocational instructors in Nashik, organized by DVET. The session covered key topics such as starting a small business, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and available government subsidy schemes. The event concluded with a valedictory ceremony and certificate distribution, where Shreekant Patil expressed his commitment to offering future training via video conference if needed. The session was led by CE. Shreekant Patil, the chief guest, and was felicitated by senior officials from the Govt ITI and DVET. On the auspicious day of Gudipadva, March 30, 2025, a two-hour training session on Entrepreneurship, soft skill and the Startup India Initiative was conducted for over 35 newly recruited government ITI vocational instructors. This session took place at the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Nashik, and was organized by the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Nashik, under the Government of Maharashtra. Despite the government holiday observed across Maharashtra, the trainer – CE Shreekant Patil, showed unwavering commitment to conduct the session, which was aimed at introducing entrepreneurship, the importance of small business setup, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and various government subsidy schemes available to support new ventures. The session was followed by a valedictory ceremony and certificate distribution. The event's chief guest was the distinguished speaker, CE Shreekant Patil, Startup India Mentor, Sr. Consultant at NPCI under ministry of commerce & industry – Govt. of India, who was felicitated by Mr. I.M. Kakad, DVETO, Nashik district, and Mr. Ravindra Mundase, Deputy Director, ITI Nashik. During the event, Mr. Shreekant Patil, also expressed a commitment to providing future training sessions for these instructors via video conferencing if required. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the skills of vocational instructors and empower them to pass on critical business knowledge to their students, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship in Maharashtra.

Training Session on Entrepreneurship Development for Scheduled Caste Entrepreneurs in Nashik. Shreekant Patil conducted a workshop on 29th March, 2025 with MCED covering MSME setup, government schemes, and emerging business sectors. An 18-day free entrepreneurship program for Scheduled Caste candidates was held from March 18 to April 4, 2025, sponsored by the Maharashtra Government and organized by MCED Nashik. Maharashtra Government Industries Directorate, Mumbai, sponsored and organized by the Maharashtra Entrepreneurship Development Centre (MCED), Nashik, and in collaboration with the Maharashtra Entrepreneurship Trade and Investment Facilitation Cell (MAITRI), Mumbai, conducted the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Group Promotion Scheme. The 18-day free Residential Entrepreneurship Development Program was held for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates from March 18 to April 4, 2025. On March 29, 2025, CE. Shreekant Patil, Senior Consultant at NPCI and a Startup India Mentor, conducted an energizing training session for 40 candidates from Nashik, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar districts. The session focused on crucial topics such as setting up MSMEs, available government support for MSMEs, the Startup India and Standup India schemes, and opportunities in emerging sectors. CE. Shreekant Patil discussed the challenges of entrepreneurship, ways to overcome them, and provided insights into the SCSTHub platform, highlighting its role in supporting SC/ST entrepreneurs. The session was well-received, with participants requesting a follow-up session due to the depth of information shared. The event was hosted at the Maharashtra Entrepreneurship Development Centre - MCED, Nashik, and concluded with a strong emphasis on how government initiatives can help foster entrepreneurship in the SC community.

Nashik Exporters Celebrate Strong Global Ties through NIMA's Buyer-Seller Meet with Vietnam. Shreekant Patil, Startup India Mentor and NIMA Committee Chairman, successfully organized a Buyer-Seller Meet with a Vietnam delegation ay NIAM to promote Nashik region's exports in food processing, agriculture, and medicinal herbs. Over 20 factory visits and discussions with over 100 exporters were held, strengthening Nashik's international trade opportunities. From March 29 to April 1, 2025, Shreekant Patil, Startup India Mentor and Senior Consultant at NPCI under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, along with NIMA (Nashik Industries & Manufacturers Association), organized a productive Buyer-Seller Meet with a Vietnam delegation. The event was focused on promoting Nashik region's export potential, particularly in food processing, agriculture products, and medicinal herbs. Mr. Kha, the founder of Lekhamart, led the Vietnamese delegation, which met with local exporters to explore international opportunities. As part of the initiative, more than 20 factory visits were conducted across Nashik to discuss export possibilities. On March 31, a significant discussion session was held at NIMA House, with over 100 exporters attending. During the session, Shreekant Patil addressed exporters on government schemes, incentives, and export promotion councils, while emphasizing the importance of utilizing incentives for export growth. Mr. Kha was honored for his contribution and commitment to promoting global trade relations. Shreekant Patil expressed gratitude to Mr Ashish Nahar, Mr. Santosh Mandlecha, Mr. Milind Rajput and Mr. Shubham Kankrej for their invaluable assistance in ensuring the success of the program. Moving forward, NIMA plans to continue fostering international trade relationships, aiming to bring more foreign delegates and embassies to Nashik. This initiative is aligned with the Indian government's vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Shreekant Patil, a prominent entrepreneur, sr. consultant at NPCI under ministry of commerce & industry, renown startup India mentor and thought leader, delivered a powerful speech on the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship to students at the inauguration of the Startup and Innovation Cell at G H Raisoni International Skill Tech University (GHRISTU), Pune. The event, held in hybrid mode, was attended by Vice Chancellor Dr. M. U. Kharat, Yogeshwar Ade, Prof. Ravi Kumar, and a large number of aspiring students. The newly established Startup and Innovation Cell at GHRISTU is designed to create a supportive and encouraging environment for startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The primary goal of this cell is to foster an entrepreneurial culture among students and provide them with practical tools and knowledge to help them become successful entrepreneurs. The cell will also focus on bridging the gap between industry and academia by offering students the opportunity to work on real-time industrial problems. In his speech, Shreekant Patil emphasized the importance of building a robust startup ecosystem, which can help young entrepreneurs identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and scale their businesses. He highlighted how startups play a crucial role in shaping the future economy and the need for innovation in addressing real-world problems. Patil also shared insights on the significance of mentorship, networking, and hands-on experience in the startup journey, urging students to take proactive steps toward realizing their entrepreneurial ambitions. The Startup and Innovation Cell will offer students the chance to work on innovative projects, collaborate with industry experts, and gain valuable exposure to the world of business. This initiative is crucial in providing the next generation of leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the competitive business landscape.