Government Engineering College, Buxar hosted the Bihar Idea Festival 2025, a high‑energy district‑level entrepreneurship event spotlighting student innovation. Organized by the college’s startup cell and supported by the District Industries Centre, the festival awarded two standout student founders ₹10 lakh each, under Bihar’s Startup Policy.
Sparking Innovation at GEC Buxar
Principal Dr. Ram Naresh Rai, discussed the growing startup scene in Bihar and the opportunities for student entrepreneurs. Assistant Professor Chandrashekhar Prabhakar, the startup cell coordinator, encouraged attendees to see entrepreneurship as a worthwhile option.
Top Student Winners in Agri‑Tech & Waste Management
Two student entrepreneurs each received ₹10 lakh in seed funding:
- Prashant Gautam, for his waste‑management startup focused on sustainable recycling initiatives.
- Neeraj Kumar Sahu, whose agri‑tech venture has developed vertical farming solutions tailored for Bihar’s small farmers.
Their projects stood out for their impact potential and scalability in local communities.
Inclusive Platform Featuring Jeevika Didis and Local Mentors
The festival’s main attraction was the appearance of 25 Jeevika Didis, female businesswomen from rural Bihar. Programs for livelihoods make them possible. Numerous Didis inspired attendees and added significance to the event by sharing their personal stories.
About Bihar Idea Festival & Seed Funding
Launched on July 14, 2025, the Bihar Idea Festival is a state‑wide initiative under the Startup Bihar Policy. It invites students, youth, and rural innovators to submit original ideas via a mobile‑friendly portal (startupbihar.in). The goal is to collect at least 10,000 ideas from all 38 districts, select 100 finalists, and provide up to ₹10 lakh in seed capital, along with technical assistance and mentorship.
Selected festival winners also earn wild‑card entry into formal seed‑fund pitch rounds supported by the Bihar government.
Why This Matters: Building Bihar’s Startup DNA
The festival model supports Bihar’s goal to encourage local innovation and help young people and women entrepreneurs with funding and mentorship. The seminar hosted by GEC Buxar shows how engineering institutions can help new businesses grow.
The Bihar Idea Festival at GEC Buxar energized local innovation by awarding ₹10 lakh to promising student ventures in agri‑tech and waste management. With inclusive participation, from Jeevika Didis to college students, and government-backed seed support, the festival is shaping up as a powerful first step toward a vibrant grassroots startup culture in Bihar.
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