Business Ideas For Young Entrepreneurs

I had a chance to revisit the 10th Jaipur Literature Festival, a world-class event, which had an impressive lineup of authors and stars. With its increasing popularity every year, this year was special. The festival saw huge footfall attracting a large number of young enthusiasts. This has never been the case in my earlier visits to the
festival.

The young India has certain inspirations and goals. They prefer to follow their favourite and established icons. They are charged up and full of passion to achieve success in life. Similarly, the entrepreneurial domain is building a new world for young and enterprising entrepreneurs. India is home to some outstanding opportunities and business solutions that have made our lives easy. All thanks to Google, Uber and Airbnb!

When I started my journey as an entrepreneur, there was no organisational guidance or group to provide structured mentorship. As an entrepreneur, it is highly advisable to be associated with programmes that help you provide the much-needed path for success. One such organisation that helped me tremendously was the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). In my opinion, it is the only place where an entrepreneur is exposed to resources and experiences that help in achieving transformational growth. It is an experience of a lifetime that money can’t buy.

How often would one get a chance to interact with a Holocaust survivor at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.; or dine at the 1,000 Columns, a world heritage site in Istanbul; or listen to Sir Richard Branson; or be at the United Nations General Assembly; or get coached and trained at an EO Leadership Academy by celebrate business expert, Warren Rustand? Such exclusive and curated events allow for a 3600 development of an entrepreneur, and are priceless.

Last year, I had a chance to judge the finale of EO’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (EO GSEA), an annual and global program that inspires student entrepreneurs in all corners of the world to excel in entrepreneurship. In all, 50 qualified student entrepreneurs met in Bangkok to vie for the title of “Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year.” The fairest way to judge such a competition does not depend on how unique or scalable the business model is, but rather, if it is based on the core values that each entrepreneur must demonstrate. For example: how eager and heartfelt your journey has been, and how you have navigated through the challenges of business. The winner is judged on the criteria of adaptability, as well as their thirst of learning, commitment, attitude to never give up, resilience, leadership and the ability to present their business to the judges. Such traits tend to differentiate a struggling and a successful entrepreneur.

This Entrepreneurs’ Organization GSEA experience reminded me of just how powerful entrepreneurship can be, and how it helps shape the lives of people everywhere—young and old—while also contributing to the improvement of communities and economies. These student entrepreneurs represent those visionaries who are making a mark through passion and purpose, and it is an incredible and inspirational sight to see.

Navneet Mathur is the Managing Director of Vermeer India, Rajasthan, providing solutions in infrastructure projects. Mathur is a member leader in the Jaipur Chapter and a Trainer for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Accelerator Programme.