Dubai: BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus successfully concluded the 11th edition of its Young Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp (YEB) 2025 after five days of intensive academic and experiential learning. Designed for high school students from Grades 9 to 12, the bootcamp provided a structured and in-depth introduction to entrepreneurship, combining analytical thinking, technology exposure, and industry-aligned problem solving.

YEB 2025 adopted a framework-based approach that guided participants through the complete venture creation process. Students learned to identify real-world challenges, develop validated business models, understand revenue and financial feasibility, and present investor-style pitches with confidence and clarity.

The bootcamp commenced with an inaugural address by Prof. Souri Banerjee, Director, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, who highlighted the importance of cultivating founder mindsets and analytical reasoning at an early stage. He noted that entrepreneurship education goes beyond launching startups and focuses on building resilience, structured thinking, and the ability to address complex challenges effectively.

The inaugural ceremony also featured H.E. Laila El Atfani, who underscored the importance of youth-led innovation in building inclusive and future-ready economies. Industry leaders Mr. Rizwan Adatia, Chairman of COGEF Group – RAF Global, and Mr. Prateek Suri, Founder of Maser Group and a BITS Pilani alumnus, shared insights on scaling enterprises through discipline, long-term vision, and ethical leadership.

Throughout the week, students participated in academically driven sessions led by faculty members and industry experts from the UAE and the United States. The sessions were conducted by eminent speakers, including Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani Campuses, along with professors and practitioners such as Prof. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Ms. Eti Bhasin, Mr. Anand Raj OK, Mr. Nandi Vardhan Mehta, Dr. Abdullah AlSalmani, Ms. Kasturi Jha, Mr. Pavan Gupta, Mr. Mubashir Ali, Prof. Aman Srivastava, Prof. Harpreet Bedi, Prof. Souvik Kumar Paul, Prof. Kanchan Sen Sharma, and Prof. Neenu Thomas. Topics included idea generation, business model design, revenue strategies, financial literacy, leadership, risk assessment, communication, and pitching skills. Technical workshops on 3D printing, space technology applications, and sustainable materials further reinforced the link between engineering and innovation.

Applied learning was a key component of the bootcamp. Participants interacted with startup founders from the BITS Pilani ecosystem and undertook an industry visit, gaining practical exposure to manufacturing processes, quality standards, and innovation workflows.

The program concluded with a student pitching competition, where teams presented original startup ideas addressing challenges in sustainability, renewable energy, food safety, worker welfare, and inclusive commerce. The quality of research, feasibility, and clarity demonstrated by the students stood out as exceptional for the school level.

Team TAERS won the top prize for their concept on harvesting renewable energy generated by high-speed trains. The team included students from Private International English School, Al Ain Juniors School, and Sir Mutha School, Chennai. Team FreshGuard secured second place for its smart food shelf-life monitoring solution, while Team SwapSole won third place for its modular footwear innovation.

Awards were presented at the valedictory ceremony by Chief Guest Mr. Mahesh Advani, CEO of MyGovindas UAE, and Guest of Honour Mr. Hitesh Bhayani, who encouraged students to focus on purpose-driven ventures and long-term value creation.

Reflecting on the program, Prof. Trupti Gokhale said the bootcamp successfully transformed ideas into actionable solutions, equipping participants with confidence, clarity, and leadership skills. She emphasised that entrepreneurship is fundamentally about solving real-world problems.

As YEB 2025 concluded, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus expressed gratitude to the YEB core team and organising committee for their academic planning, mentorship, and coordination. The bootcamp reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to nurturing future-ready innovators through academic rigour, ethical values, and strong industry alignment.