NOVA Unplugged 2025: Insights on innovation, digital startups, and the rise of creator CEOs at BBA (DBE) Campus Immersion
Industry leaders share insights on key influences reshaping business in the digital age
10 May, 2025, Bengaluru: NOVA Unplugged 2025 marked the first campus immersion for students of IIM Bangalore’s BBA (Digital Business & Entrepreneurship) programme, bringing together 1,014 students from 359 cities across 29 states. The inaugural cohort, comprising 65% male and 35% female learners, includes nearly 80 participants with student-led startups already underway. A majority are pursuing dual degrees primarily in B.Com/BBA (59%), followed by B.Tech, BA, and niche areas like B.Des, BSc Agri, B.Pharm, CA, CFA, and CS.
Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIMB, inaugurated NOVA Unplugged and previewed insights from his upcoming book on scaling digital startups. He emphasized that “Innovation doesn’t end at checkout—it begins there,” highlighting the need for startups to continually innovate across the entire customer journey.
Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Chairperson, Digital Learning, spoke on essential 21st-century skills, underlining how strong communication, like effective email writing, remains vital for workplace success.
A discussion on adapting to emerging technologies was led by Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula, Chairperson, BBA(DBE), with insights from Prof. R Srinivasan, Chairperson, Center for Digital Public Goods (CDPG), and Prof. Shankhadeep Banerjee, Chairperson, Centre for Software & IT Management (CSITM). The panel explored how entrepreneurs can leverage generative AI and ensure inclusive access through digital public goods.
Utanka Sarma, Head of Alumni Relations, highlighted the strength of the 30,000-strong IIMB alumni network, encouraging students to tap into its opportunities for mentorship, networking, and growth.
Rishi Kulkarni, founder of RevvSales and 1Click, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey and the power of self-discovery. He urged participants to take measurable steps toward overcoming personal roadblocks and realizing their potential.
The fireside chat on ‘From Curiosity to Commitment’, moderated by Vaikunt Prasad, AVP at NSRCEL, featured Mayank Nagori, co-founder of Gud Gum, who shared how a childhood love for chewing gum evolved into an ethically sourced brand that secured funding from four investors on Shark Tank. He also runs a small ice cream parlor with friends, blending passion with purpose.
Kanchan Gupta, co-founder of CADRA ODR, detailed her pivot from an early travel-tech venture to building a successful legal-tech platform. She emphasized resilience, having leveraged digital arbitration and mediation to scale during the pandemic.
Nithin Chandran Nair, CEO of MedPiper Technologies, took the audience through his transition from game design to aviation tech, launching India’s first airline Wi-Fi product. He spoke of his pivot into the B2B healthcare space and the necessity of agility and innovation in navigating changing markets.
The panel discussion on ‘The Rise of Creator CEOs—How Influencers Are Disrupting Traditional Entrepreneurship’, moderated by Jacob Chacko Mundapallil, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, BBA (DBE), featured Manjyoti Parasar, AI educator, student mentor, and content creator, who discussed the use of data, direction, and consistency in developing impactful strategies. Lalith Dhanush, TEDx and Josh Talks speaker, emphasized that “authenticity and quality followers are key to success”.
Vargab Bakshi, Vice President and Country Head, India, Wix.com, shared his journey of helping others through bite-sized content. He also touched on the merit of hustle mentality. Meanwhile, Vibanshu Golia, Junior Associate, McKinsey & Co., and Content Creator, stressed that “the quality of content is a key differentiator”. The session brought to light the ways in which influencers, today, are disrupting traditional entrepreneurship best practices through authentic content, audience connection, and data-driven storytelling.
Click here for photo gallery
NOVA Unplugged 2025: Insights on innovation, digital startups, and the rise of creator CEOs at BBA (DBE) Campus Immersion
Industry leaders share insights on key influences reshaping business in the digital age
10 May, 2025, Bengaluru: NOVA Unplugged 2025 marked the first campus immersion for students of IIM Bangalore’s BBA (Digital Business & Entrepreneurship) programme, bringing together 1,014 students from 359 cities across 29 states. The inaugural cohort, comprising 65% male and 35% female learners, includes nearly 80 participants with student-led startups already underway. A majority are pursuing dual degrees primarily in B.Com/BBA (59%), followed by B.Tech, BA, and niche areas like B.Des, BSc Agri, B.Pharm, CA, CFA, and CS.
Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIMB, inaugurated NOVA Unplugged and previewed insights from his upcoming book on scaling digital startups. He emphasized that “Innovation doesn’t end at checkout—it begins there,” highlighting the need for startups to continually innovate across the entire customer journey.
Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Chairperson, Digital Learning, spoke on essential 21st-century skills, underlining how strong communication, like effective email writing, remains vital for workplace success.
A discussion on adapting to emerging technologies was led by Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula, Chairperson, BBA(DBE), with insights from Prof. R Srinivasan, Chairperson, Center for Digital Public Goods (CDPG), and Prof. Shankhadeep Banerjee, Chairperson, Centre for Software & IT Management (CSITM). The panel explored how entrepreneurs can leverage generative AI and ensure inclusive access through digital public goods.
Utanka Sarma, Head of Alumni Relations, highlighted the strength of the 30,000-strong IIMB alumni network, encouraging students to tap into its opportunities for mentorship, networking, and growth.
Rishi Kulkarni, founder of RevvSales and 1Click, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey and the power of self-discovery. He urged participants to take measurable steps toward overcoming personal roadblocks and realizing their potential.
The fireside chat on ‘From Curiosity to Commitment’, moderated by Vaikunt Prasad, AVP at NSRCEL, featured Mayank Nagori, co-founder of Gud Gum, who shared how a childhood love for chewing gum evolved into an ethically sourced brand that secured funding from four investors on Shark Tank. He also runs a small ice cream parlor with friends, blending passion with purpose.
Kanchan Gupta, co-founder of CADRA ODR, detailed her pivot from an early travel-tech venture to building a successful legal-tech platform. She emphasized resilience, having leveraged digital arbitration and mediation to scale during the pandemic.
Nithin Chandran Nair, CEO of MedPiper Technologies, took the audience through his transition from game design to aviation tech, launching India’s first airline Wi-Fi product. He spoke of his pivot into the B2B healthcare space and the necessity of agility and innovation in navigating changing markets.
The panel discussion on ‘The Rise of Creator CEOs—How Influencers Are Disrupting Traditional Entrepreneurship’, moderated by Jacob Chacko Mundapallil, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, BBA (DBE), featured Manjyoti Parasar, AI educator, student mentor, and content creator, who discussed the use of data, direction, and consistency in developing impactful strategies. Lalith Dhanush, TEDx and Josh Talks speaker, emphasized that “authenticity and quality followers are key to success”.
Vargab Bakshi, Vice President and Country Head, India, Wix.com, shared his journey of helping others through bite-sized content. He also touched on the merit of hustle mentality. Meanwhile, Vibanshu Golia, Junior Associate, McKinsey & Co., and Content Creator, stressed that “the quality of content is a key differentiator”. The session brought to light the ways in which influencers, today, are disrupting traditional entrepreneurship best practices through authentic content, audience connection, and data-driven storytelling.
Click here for photo gallery