NEW DELHI (India CSR): IIM Sambalpur, one of the premier management institutes of India, has announced the launch of the Delhi Chapter of I-Hub Foundation, set up by IIM SAMBALPUR is a Business Incubator aims to foster innovation driven entrepreneurship in alignment with India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. The launch took place at the curtain raiser of Marmagya 10.0, the tenth edition, IIM Sambalpur’s annual business conclave, hosted at its Delhi campus.
The I-Hub Foundation aims to connect entrepreneurs, alumni, and industry partners across the National Capital Region, boosting entrepreneurial activities by expanding opportunities for innovation, incubation, and investment for policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders.
The event was honoured by Vibhor Jain, Acting CEO & CFO of ONDC, as the Chief Guest; Altaf Hussain, Head of HR at ITC, as the Guest of Honour; and Farhana Haque, Senior Director – Customer Consulting, Microsoft Asia, as the Keynote Speaker.
In his inaugural speech, Chief Guest Vibhor Jain, Acting CEO & CFO, ONDC, said, “India as a nation stands at the forefront of digital transformation – from the world’s largest biometric identification program to unprecedented mobile penetration connecting every corner of the nation. The introduction of GST has further unified our economy, creating a seamless, transparent, and efficient system that empowers businesses and strengthens our nation’s growth story.”
Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “The Delhi Chapter of I-Hub Foundation marks a new chapter in our journey to create a connected, collaborative ecosystem for innovation. Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of IIM Sambalpur’s mission, and this expansion empowers our alumni and innovators to contribute to the nation’s progress in line with the spirit of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Guest of Honour, Altaf Hussain, Head of HR, ITC Ltd., Haridwar, and President, NHRDN Uttarakhand Chapter, stated, “As leaders, we must concentrate on the 5Cs of true leadership: Core, Coach, Connect, Congratulate, and Contribute. A good leader is not only a visionary but also one who serves society with dedication and stands in support of our nation’s growth.”
On this occasion, Keynote Speaker Farhana Haque, Senior Director – Customer Consulting, Microsoft Asia, added, “The true rise of the Global South begins when progress circles back to uplift society.”
Prof. Atul Prashar, CEO-in-Charge, I-Hub Foundation, IIM Sambalpur, added, “The Alumni Incubation Scheme is more than a platform — it’s a commitment to turning ideas into impact. By connecting our entrepreneurs with the right mentors and investors, we are enabling a new wave of sustainable, purpose-driven start-ups from the IIM Sambalpur community.”
Alumni of IIM Sambalpur, Aryan Kushwaha (Batch of 2019–21), Manager, Shorthills.ai, said, “As an IIM Sambalpur alumnus, it is inspiring to see the launch of the Delhi Chapter of the I-Hub Foundation. This initiative is particularly timely, with the Alumni Incubation Scheme now supporting startups at the frontier of innovation.
Take, for example, Agentic AI — startups developing autonomous, decision-making AI systems capable of planning, adapting, and acting with minimal human input. These ventures represent the building blocks of future AGI, and India must be an active part of this race. For such high-potential but complex startups, early-stage support is critical — not just in funding, but also through access to the right mentors, technical guidance, and policy connections.
I-Hub can truly make a difference by serving as a launchpad for alumni working on bold ideas like Agentic AI and helping them scale with purpose. I am proud to see IIM Sambalpur taking this visionary step toward Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The I-Hub Foundation has already announced its first initiative, the Alumni Incubation Scheme, a dedicated platform to encourage start-ups founded by IIM Sambalpur alumni. The scheme paves the way for entrepreneurial leadership for an Atmanirbhar Bharat by providing access to mentorship, funding networks, and investor partnerships to budding business minds.
The theme for the 10th edition of Marmagya is Navigating Businesses in a Multi-Polar World: Ideas for Viksit Bharat 2047. The flagship business conclave brings together CXOs, policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and students to exchange ideas, debate challenges, and explore the future of business.Over the past decade, Marmagya has served as a premier platform at IIM Sambalpur, fostering meaningful dialogue between academia and industry through its steadfast commitment to Innovation, Integrity, and Inclusiveness.
