VENIX 2025: A new vision for business and entrepreneurial engagement
Leaders of modern enterprise, Ms. Joohi Smitha Sinha of SBI and Shyam Unnikrishnan of Bain & Co., set the tone
01 August, 2025, Bengaluru: The inauguration of VENIX 2025, a bold new vision that marks the merger of two of the IIM Bangalore’s premier student-led events: Vista, the international business summit, and Eximius, the entrepreneurship conclave, was held earlier this evening. With this year’s theme, ‘Vision. Venture. Victory’, VENIX called upon the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders to think bigger, build faster, and collaborate smarter.
Chief Guest’s address
Chief Guest, Ms. Joohi Smitha Sinha, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, brought with her nearly three decades of leadership in India’s largest public sector bank. Overseeing more than 1,700 branches across Karnataka and managing a balance sheet of over ₹5 trillion, she plays a pivotal role in shaping SBI’s regional strategy and growth.
In her address, Ms. Sinha spoke about the wide range of opportunities available for startup companies, emphasizing SBI’s commitment to supporting innovation through tailored financial solutions. She also shed light on the various loan schemes and financial aid options specifically designed for students and early-stage entrepreneurs, reaffirming SBI’s mission to empower the next generation of business leaders and change-makers.
“Bangalore as a city of creators and founders, and institutions like SBI are committed to enabling growth for India’s next generation of innovators”, she noted.
Keynote address
“There’s no better time to be in business than now. With disruption comes possibility. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, build in the moment”, said Shyam Unnikrishnan, Partner, Bain & Co., as he delivered a keynote that reflected on energy, resilience, and purpose-driven ambition.
He shared five powerful takeaways on the topic ‘Lessons that shaped my journey’ for anyone stepping into leadership. First, he said, “Find your energy, draw it from your passions, your life, and the people who inspire you”. He added by saying, “Don’t shy away from discomfort because that is where real growth happens. When challenges come your way, don’t waste them; every downturn holds a hidden opportunity. Along the way, surround yourself with mentors, not just milestones. And most importantly, put your heart into everything you do, or as the Greeks say, work with Meraki, leaving a part of your soul in your work”.
Fireside Chat: Lessons in Leadership from the Top of Indian Finance
In a conversation with Mr. K.V.S. Manian, MD & CEO of Federal Bank, moderated by Prof. Ashok Thampy, Finance & Accounting area, he shared his journey and reflections on leadership in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian finance.
Reflecting on the transformative decades of the 1990s and early 2000s, he described it as a golden window, when key financial institutions like SEBI and NSE were taking shape and internet banking was just beginning. For someone starting out, it was the perfect storm of opportunity and innovation, he told the budding entrepreneurs seated in the audience.
He spoke about how, despite the rapid shift of savings into capital markets, banks continue to remain critical players, whether it’s distributing financial products, managing flows, or building customer relationships.
To aspiring professionals, his advice was refreshingly grounded: “You don’t need to have it all figured out today. What matters is staying curious, learning constantly, and being open to change”. He asserted the importance of evolving with time, collecting experiences, and embracing uncertainty.
Welcome address
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome by Prof. Rajluxmi V Murthy, Chairperson, Student Welfare and faculty of Decision Sciences, who spoke about VENIX as a platform that encourages students to go beyond passive participation to engage deeply, collaborate with innovators, and take full advantage of the diverse opportunities the summit offers.
Prof. M Jayadev, Dean of Administration and faculty of Finance & Accounting, followed with remarks reiterating the excitement around the inaugural edition. He noted how VENIX has grown more ambitious this year, bringing together the energy of business and entrepreneurship under one cohesive banner. He noted that the VENIX summit was not just a platform for learning, but a space for forging meaningful connections with people, ideas, and future possibilities.
VENIX 2025: A new vision for business and entrepreneurial engagement
Leaders of modern enterprise, Ms. Joohi Smitha Sinha of SBI and Shyam Unnikrishnan of Bain & Co., set the tone
01 August, 2025, Bengaluru: The inauguration of VENIX 2025, a bold new vision that marks the merger of two of the IIM Bangalore’s premier student-led events: Vista, the international business summit, and Eximius, the entrepreneurship conclave, was held earlier this evening. With this year’s theme, ‘Vision. Venture. Victory’, VENIX called upon the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders to think bigger, build faster, and collaborate smarter.
Chief Guest’s address
Chief Guest, Ms. Joohi Smitha Sinha, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, brought with her nearly three decades of leadership in India’s largest public sector bank. Overseeing more than 1,700 branches across Karnataka and managing a balance sheet of over ₹5 trillion, she plays a pivotal role in shaping SBI’s regional strategy and growth.
In her address, Ms. Sinha spoke about the wide range of opportunities available for startup companies, emphasizing SBI’s commitment to supporting innovation through tailored financial solutions. She also shed light on the various loan schemes and financial aid options specifically designed for students and early-stage entrepreneurs, reaffirming SBI’s mission to empower the next generation of business leaders and change-makers.
“Bangalore as a city of creators and founders, and institutions like SBI are committed to enabling growth for India’s next generation of innovators”, she noted.
Keynote address
“There’s no better time to be in business than now. With disruption comes possibility. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, build in the moment”, said Shyam Unnikrishnan, Partner, Bain & Co., as he delivered a keynote that reflected on energy, resilience, and purpose-driven ambition.
He shared five powerful takeaways on the topic ‘Lessons that shaped my journey’ for anyone stepping into leadership. First, he said, “Find your energy, draw it from your passions, your life, and the people who inspire you”. He added by saying, “Don’t shy away from discomfort because that is where real growth happens. When challenges come your way, don’t waste them; every downturn holds a hidden opportunity. Along the way, surround yourself with mentors, not just milestones. And most importantly, put your heart into everything you do, or as the Greeks say, work with Meraki, leaving a part of your soul in your work”.
Fireside Chat: Lessons in Leadership from the Top of Indian Finance
In a conversation with Mr. K.V.S. Manian, MD & CEO of Federal Bank, moderated by Prof. Ashok Thampy, Finance & Accounting area, he shared his journey and reflections on leadership in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian finance.
Reflecting on the transformative decades of the 1990s and early 2000s, he described it as a golden window, when key financial institutions like SEBI and NSE were taking shape and internet banking was just beginning. For someone starting out, it was the perfect storm of opportunity and innovation, he told the budding entrepreneurs seated in the audience.
He spoke about how, despite the rapid shift of savings into capital markets, banks continue to remain critical players, whether it’s distributing financial products, managing flows, or building customer relationships.
To aspiring professionals, his advice was refreshingly grounded: “You don’t need to have it all figured out today. What matters is staying curious, learning constantly, and being open to change”. He asserted the importance of evolving with time, collecting experiences, and embracing uncertainty.
Welcome address
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome by Prof. Rajluxmi V Murthy, Chairperson, Student Welfare and faculty of Decision Sciences, who spoke about VENIX as a platform that encourages students to go beyond passive participation to engage deeply, collaborate with innovators, and take full advantage of the diverse opportunities the summit offers.
Prof. M Jayadev, Dean of Administration and faculty of Finance & Accounting, followed with remarks reiterating the excitement around the inaugural edition. He noted how VENIX has grown more ambitious this year, bringing together the energy of business and entrepreneurship under one cohesive banner. He noted that the VENIX summit was not just a platform for learning, but a space for forging meaningful connections with people, ideas, and future possibilities.