In today’s rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape, learning about startups through
textbooks and presentations is no longer enough. Real understanding comes from stepping into
actual business environments, meeting founders, observing operations, and experiencing the
realities behind building a venture.
With this vision, the Think RAISE program by AIC RAISE introduced an experiential journey
designed to help students move beyond theoretical knowledge and explore the startup
ecosystem.
Building Beyond the Classroom:
The Think RAISE program is structured in progressive learning batches that gradually prepare
participants for the world of innovation and entrepreneurship. Rather than limiting learning to
workshops and sessions, the program focuses on practical exposure, industry understanding,
and entrepreneurial thinking.
One of the key milestone in this journey is the Startup Passport’26- a recognition awarded to
participants who successfully progress through the program and demonstrate active
engagement in their entrepreneurial learning journey.
A Journey into Real Startup Ecosystems:
As part of this initiative, participants who earned the Startup Passport’26 were invited to take
part in a specially curated Startup Field Visit across Coimbatore and Mettupalayam.
The visit to Mettupalayam Agroforestry Business Incubation Forum provided students
with an inside look at how startups and innovative ideas are supported within an incubation
ecosystem. Ms. Kavitha R, Executive Officer at MAFBIF, shared valuable insights into
nurturing entrepreneurial ideas, building sustainable ventures, and creating support systems
that help innovators grow.
Participants also visited Hulikkal Electro (India) Private Limited, where Mr. Karthik
Selvaraj, Director at Hulikkal Electro (India) Private Limited, introduced them to real-time
manufacturing operations and business execution strategies. The visit offered students a
practical understanding of how ideas are transformed into scalable products and successfully
implemented in industry.
The visit was designed to bridge the gap between classroom concepts and real-world execution
by providing direct exposure to startups, manufacturing environments, and innovation-driven
organizations.
Earning the Startup Passport is more than just a certificate or title. It becomes an entry point to exclusive experiential opportunities that allow participants to witness how businesses operate in real time. Each destination offered a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, innovation, and business operations.
Learning Through Experience:
During the field visit, students explored live manufacturing processes, startup workflows, operational systems, and business strategies. Importantly, they gained the opportunity to interact directly with founders and teams who shared their experiences, challenges, and lessons from building their ventures.
These interactions helped participants understand that entrepreneurship is not just about ideas, it is about persistence, adaptability, execution, and problem-solving. From understanding production processes to observing how startups manage growth and operations, every interaction added a practical dimension to their learning journey.
What made this experience meaningful was the way it encouraged participants to think differently. Instead of simply listening to theories about startups, they were able to observe real businesses in action, ask questions, and connect their academic learning with practical realities.
Experiences like these help young innovators to gain clarity about entrepreneurship and develop confidence in exploring their own ideas in future.
The Startup Passport’26 journey reflects a larger vision of AIC ARISE, creating opportunities that inspire students to move from curiosity to clarity and from learning to meaningful realworld exposure.
By combining structured learning with immersive industry experiences, the initiative continues to nurture the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. For participants, this was not just a visit to companies or startups, it was an opportunity to witness their ecosystem.
