Deepak Ranjan

It was a pleasant coincidence that the first person I was introduced to at Tieger 08 was none other that Deepak. Deepak clearly turned out to be a businessman in the making - he started the conversation by rattling off statistics! His excitement was palpable - there was a rush for registrations for E-Week at IISWBM, with 140 students enrolling their names in two days. The charged E-Cell core team of the institute, comprising some 15 members, had raised funds, arranged for sponsorship, invited noted speakers and organized an entrepreneurship workshop for local businessmen as part of the celebrations. Deepak was introduced to entrepreneurship at an NEN workshop in February, 2007. "That workshop changed my life," he notes.

Deepak always wished to start something on his own, but he gave himself 15 years to make that plunge. However, his workshop sessions with IIM Ahmedabad professor Sunil Handa changed his career plans. "Now I am planning to focus on my business plan and start my entrepreneurship venture within five years," Deepak says.

Some key learning from the NEN workshop has stayed with him till today. According to him, the workshop Handa busted several myths surrounding entrepreneurship. First, you don't need to raise your own funds - if you have a great idea, investors will follow you. Second, emotional support of your parents is indispensable. Third, leadership skills and passion counts far more that networking. Fourth, the only things that the B school experience teaches you are motivation, negotiation and delegation skills.

Deepak has two business plans in mind - one in internet space, and another in real estate development in tier II and III cities.

To his dreams, NEN gives a hearty thumbs-up. NEN will be there to support his venture in every way possible.