Pitch in Public at Sapthagiri NPS University | E-Cell

Umesh Kumar N N, Head Digital Marketing

Pitch in Public at Sapthagiri NPS University: Inspiring Student Entrepreneurs Through Innovation and Public Speaking

Sapthagiri NPS University continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to explore their creativity, develop entrepreneurial thinking, and gain practical exposure beyond the classroom. As part of this commitment, the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) of Sapthagiri NPS University organised “Pitch in Public”, an engaging extracurricular activity designed to encourage students to present innovative ideas, receive feedback, and develop the confidence required to transform ideas into meaningful ventures.  The initiative was conducted under the leadership of Dr. A Vishesh Lal, Director – International Collaboration, Sapthagiri NPS University, and its valedictory ceremony was held on 25 September 2026 at the B-Block Seminar Hall of the University.

Pitch in Public: Turning Ideas into Opportunities

Pitch in Public was designed to provide students with a platform where they could step forward, present their startup and business concepts before an audience, and demonstrate their entrepreneurial abilities.  Unlike conventional classroom activities, an initiative such as Pitch in Public allows students to experience the practical challenges involved in communicating an idea. Participants had the opportunity to think creatively, structure their ideas, explain their concepts clearly, respond to feedback, and build confidence while speaking before others. The central message of the initiative was simple yet powerful: Pitch. Persuade. Prevail.

The activity encouraged students to look at problems from different perspectives and consider how innovative ideas could become practical solutions. By bringing together creativity, communication and entrepreneurial thinking, Pitch in Public created an environment where students could explore the possibilities of turning their ideas into startups.

Entrepreneurship Cell Encourages Innovation

The Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) of Sapthagiri NPS University plays an important role in creating an entrepreneurial environment on campus. Through student-focused activities, workshops, idea-pitching sessions and innovation initiatives, the E-Cell encourages students to look beyond traditional academic learning.  Pitch in Public was another step towards this objective.  Entrepreneurship is not only about starting a company. It also involves identifying opportunities, understanding challenges, developing solutions, communicating ideas and having the confidence to take the first step. Through this extracurricular activity, students were encouraged to develop these skills in a practical and engaging setting.

Building Confidence Through Public Speaking

One of the key benefits of Pitch in Public was its focus on public speaking and presentation skills.  Having a great idea is only the beginning. Students must also be able to communicate that idea effectively to different audiences. Whether they are presenting a startup proposal, participating in an interview, attending a business meeting or eventually meeting investors, communication skills can play an important role.  Pitch in Public gave students the opportunity to experience this process. Presenting before an audience requires preparation, clarity, confidence and the ability to respond to questions. The activity therefore helped students understand the importance of presenting not only what their idea is, but also why the idea matters and how it can create value.

From Dreams to Startups

The event carried an inspiring theme of “Turning Dreams into Startups.” This message reflects the growing importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in higher education. Universities today provide students with opportunities to explore ideas that can potentially address real-world challenges.  Through Pitch in Public, students were encouraged to view their ideas from an entrepreneurial perspective. A simple observation, an everyday problem or a creative concept can become the starting point for a larger solution when combined with research, planning and determination.  The initiative therefore provided students with a valuable opportunity to move from simply having an idea to learning how that idea can be communicated and developed.

Valedictory Ceremony on 25 September 2026

The valedictory ceremony of Pitch in Public was held on 25 September 2026 at the B-Block Seminar Hall, Sapthagiri NPS University.  The ceremony formally marked the conclusion of the initiative and provided an opportunity to recognise the efforts and participation of the students.  The event also reflected the University's commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and student-led initiatives. Participation certificates were presented to students who took part in the initiative, acknowledging their involvement and willingness to step outside their comfort zones and participate in an entrepreneurial learning experience. Such recognition can motivate students to continue exploring new ideas and participating in future innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives at the University.

A Platform for Student-Led Innovation

The Pitch in Public initiative demonstrates how extracurricular activities can complement academic education.  Students gain valuable exposure when they participate in activities that require teamwork, creativity, communication, problem-solving and leadership. These experiences can contribute to their overall development and prepare them for the expectations of higher education, professional careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.  The initiative also created a platform for students to learn from one another. Listening to different ideas and approaches can broaden perspectives and encourage students to think differently.  For aspiring entrepreneurs, such an environment can be particularly valuable because innovation often develops through collaboration, discussion and constructive feedback.  Sapthagiri NPS University: Encouraging Beyond-the-Classroom Learning.

At Sapthagiri NPS University, education extends beyond textbooks and traditional classroom instruction. Initiatives such as Pitch in Public provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge, develop confidence and discover their potential.  The University's focus on extracurricular and student-led activities reflects the importance of holistic development. Students are encouraged to participate, experiment, communicate and take initiative.  The leadership and support provided by Dr. A Vishesh Lal, Director – International Collaborations, further contributed to creating an environment where students could explore entrepreneurial thinking and showcase their creativity.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

The conclusion of Pitch in Public is not simply the end of an event. For participating students, it can represent the beginning of a journey towards exploring entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership.  Every startup begins with an idea. Every idea needs someone willing to communicate it. And every entrepreneur needs the confidence to take that first step.  Through Pitch in Public, Sapthagiri NPS University provided students with an opportunity to take that step.  The initiative brought together entrepreneurship, public speaking, creativity, innovation and student participation in a meaningful extracurricular experience. It demonstrated how a university campus can become a place where students are encouraged not only to learn, but also to imagine, create and present their ideas to the world.

As Sapthagiri NPS University continues to encourage innovation and student-led initiatives, activities such as Pitch in Public can inspire more students to transform their ideas into opportunities and their aspirations into action.

Pitch in Public — Pitch. Persuade. Prevail.