Bridging Academia and Innovation: MBA Students Embark on an Enlightening Visit to Derbi Foundation

In a dynamic initiative to connect classroom learning with real-world entrepreneurial ecosystems, the first-semester MBA students of [Your Institution’s Name] undertook an insightful industrial visit to the Derbi Foundation (Dayananda Sagar Entrepreneurship Research and Business Incubation Foundation) on 25th November 2025. Located at Hosur Road, Kudlu Gate, the visit was an invaluable opportunity for students to witness the journey of innovation from conception to commercialization. The group was expertly guided by Prof. Juri and Prof. Soumya, who facilitated a rich learning experience throughout the day.

Unpacking the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

 Upon arrival, the students were immersed in an engaging session led by Dr. Adithya from the Derbi Foundation. He provided a comprehensive overview of the foundation’s core mission and its pivotal role in the startup landscape. Dr. Adithya elaborated on:

• The Vision of Derbi: An entrepreneurial ecosystem meticulously designed to nurture and support early-stage startups and innovators.
• The Core Offerings: A detailed look into the incubation facilities, one-on-one mentoring, funding support, technical guidance, and a collaborative platform that empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into viable business solutions.

This initial session laid a strong foundation, helping students grasp the nuances of how a dedicated organization can foster creativity, support cutting-edge research, and cultivate a robust culture of innovation.

From Ideas to Tangible Reality: A Tour of State-of-the-Art Labs

 Following the insightful presentation, students were taken on a guided tour of the Derbi Foundation’s state-of-the-art laboratories. This was a highlight of the visit, offering a closer look at the practical tools that power innovation. Students observed a wide array of advanced equipment, including:

• Prototyping equipment for mechanical and electronic product development.
• High-precision 3D printers and rapid-prototyping tools used for creating tangible product models.
• IoT (Internet of Things) development kits and testing equipment that support technology-driven startup ideas.
• Collaborative workstations and co-creation spaces where incubated startups work on real-time projects.

The exposure to these advanced facilities and emerging technologies provided the students with a tangible understanding of the process—how abstract ideas are systematically transformed into working prototypes and, eventually, successful entrepreneurial ventures.

A Catalyst for Future Innovators

 Overall, the visit to the Derbi Foundation was a resounding success, proving to be both highly informative and deeply inspiring. It provided our students with a rare, firsthand experience of the vibrant startup ecosystem. The interaction with industry experts and the exposure to practical innovation have motivated them to think more creatively, embrace a problem-solving mindset, and explore their own entrepreneurial aspirations with renewed confidence.

This industrial visit stands as a testament to [Your Institution’s Name]’s commitment to providing holistic, industry-relevant education that extends far beyond the traditional classroom, preparing our students to be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.