Through its educational programs and social initiatives, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), located in Ahmedabad, keeps promoting entrepreneurship and inclusive growth. Acknowledging the necessity of a comprehensive strategy for business development, EDII Ahmedabad is reaching out to underserved communities and providing skills training to prospective entrepreneurs, guaranteeing that opportunities are available to everyone.

EDII’s “Support, Activate, and Build Assured Livelihoods (SABAL)” initiative, which aims to facilitate the creation of 3,000 enterprises for PwDs, including 1500 technology-driven and 1500 general enterprises, included a Roundtable Meet as part of this mission. Corporate executives and government representatives convened at this meeting to plan how to create an atmosphere that allows PwDs to launch and grow their businesses while incorporating them into the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Roundtable Meet discussions were a logical progression of EDII’s broader initiatives to foster a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Dr. Raman Gujral, Professor and Director, Dept. of CSR Partnerships, graced the roundtable meeting.

The institute’s postgraduate diploma programs are a vital starting point for new business ventures because of their high graduate success rate. In addition to giving students the tools they need to succeed as entrepreneurs, these programs foster an innovative and independent culture, which is in line with the SABAL initiative’s objectives.

78% of EDII’s postgraduate (PG) graduates have pursued prosperous entrepreneurial careers, according to a recent survey. A sizable portion of these alumni have led social enterprises, started start-ups, or contributed to family businesses.

EDII offers two specialized, AICTE-approved programs:

• Post Graduate Diploma in Management—Entrepreneurship (PGDM-E): A two-year, full-time program with specialization in New Enterprise Creation, Family Business Management, and Social Entrepreneurship.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management—Innovation, Entrepreneurship, & Venture Development (PGDM-IEV): It focuses on business model development, market validation, and start-up incubation at EDII’s CrAdLE incubator.

Throughout its 42-year history, EDII has helped more than 1,000 family businesses, incubated more than 100 start-ups, and established a strong network of more than 1,800 accomplished alumni. The USASBE Outstanding Entrepreneurship Program Abroad Award (2014) was given to the institute, which also holds National Board of Accreditation (NBA) accreditation. Their outcome-based courses are made to meet industry and market demands. Students receive a comprehensive and useful education thanks to specialized seminars, milestone-based learning, professional mentoring, and practical exposure to tech-driven companies, in addition to a strong core curriculum and a wide range of electives.

EDII is actively collaborating with corporate partners to broaden entrepreneurial opportunities beyond conventional demographics, building on a solid foundation.

EDII Ahmedabad is making sure that entrepreneurship is about social impact as much as profit. The institute sets the standard for comprehensive economic development with its dual strategy of fostering aspiring entrepreneurs through academic programs and increasing opportunities for underserved groups through corporate partnerships.

For more details, visit: www.ediindia.org.

Priyanka Dutta