As part of the academic curriculum for the subject Innovation Marketing, MBA students from KLS IMER had the opportunity to visit the Deshpande Foundation’s Startups Campus in Hubballi.

The visit aimed to provide insights into real-world innovation and the entrepreneurial ecosystem tailored for semi-urban and rural India. Students explored the 6-acre innovation campus, which houses co-working spaces, smart labs, a 3D lab, and facilities for mechanical and agri-tech prototyping.

The students interacted with Ms. Soumya Chaugala, Incubation Executive, and Mr. Chetan Madivalar, Product Engineer and got to know about the core incubation and acceleration programs that support idea-stage and early-revenue startups and government backed initiatives which provide financial support and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs.

Successful ventures like Sonic Lamb and Pequrel Technologies served as inspirational case studies of how innovation can thrive in tier-2 cities. This immersive experience inspired students to think creatively about how innovation can drive meaningful impact in emerging markets.