A fresh entrepreneurial forum convened on Saturday in Guwahati, bringing together startup founders, institutional investors, and strategic finance professionals from Assam and neighbouring states. The platform was established to foster actionable conversations around commercial ventures, technological deployment, capital allocation, and inter-industry collaboration. The initiative was spearheaded by Kunal Barthakur, a Venture Builder, Founder of MVB Group, and an MBA alumnus of the University of Chester in the United Kingdom.
Pioneering Advanced Manufacturing and Clean Technologies
The gathering commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting ceremony, followed by an artistic tribute dedicated to Assam's celebrated musician and singer Zubeen Garg. Attendees subsequently introduced their enterprises, detailing their operational journeys, ongoing work, and future business roadmaps. During his keynote presentation on emerging technologies and venture creation, Kunal Barthakur underlined practical pathways to launch commercially viable operations focused on modern engineering materials.
He specifically highlighted industrial opportunities in Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP), metallic bonded surfaces, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Barthakur and his team are actively working to introduce and deploy specialised technologies across the Northeast. Their portfolio of targeted solutions includes plasma waste-to-energy facilities, a patent-pending solar-powered water filtration system, and diverse industrial applications utilizing FRP. The overarching vision of the initiative is to equip budding business leaders with the tools needed to pinpoint tech-centric market opportunities and establish resilient, sustainable regional companies.
Cross-Sector Representation from Finance, Tech, and Social Ventures
The session witnessed extensive participation from established bankers, social sector advocates, agricultural innovators, and digital enterprise leaders. Among the notable participants were Alok Bora, Regional Head at the Export-Import Bank of India; Dr. Prasanta Buragohain, Chairman of NEPEDS; Daisy Bhattacharya, Venture Builder; Sreya Das, Aspiring Entrepreneur; Arindom Bharali, Director at Haaku Digital Pvt. Ltd.; Mollika K. Buragohain, Director at NEPEDS; and Rajlakshmi Saikia Lahon, Entrepreneur.
Other key professionals in attendance included Rinku Roy, Branch Head at IDFC Bank; Milan Borah, Founder of FwthrAgri Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Ipshita Baruah of Nivrit Foundation; Bhargav Deori, Director at Renergy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Sandeep Jain, Founder of The Employment Express; Barsha Dutta, Founder of Oorjaman; Babiba Sultana, Founder of Avanzotech; Prachurjya Kaushik representing Aaroh, Guwahati; Prabaln Sarmah, Founder of Estate Brew; Banashree Das, Co-founder of The Wedbees; Anilesh Gogoi, Entrepreneur; Harun ARM Ghalib, Founder of CodQuiSkill; Bhuchitra Bhushan, Founder of The Wedbees; and Syed Rizwan Umar from the R&D wing of the Socio Economic Development Organisation NGO.
Youth Innovation Mindset and Cultural Homage
Event organisers underscored the urgency of exposing young minds to entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving early in their educational journey. They highlighted that students in schools and colleges should be systematically encouraged to evaluate enterprise creation alongside conventional employment routes.
The later part of the evening integrated musical tributes honoring Zubeen Garg. Innovator and flutist AK performed the composition 'Endhar Hobo Nuware' on the flute, alongside musical renditions by Farhan Kutub, Nabangshu Aryan, Nishan Kumar, Rupjyoti Gautam, Sanjay K. Borah, and Kartik Kakati. A distinctive highlight was a vocal performance by three-year-old Master Aviraqj Barthakur, who rendered Garg's popular track 'Maya Mathu Maya'. The tribute concluded with an open-mic segment featuring songs from the late artist's repertoire.
Fortnightly Schedule to Strengthen Regional Self-Reliance
The organisers announced that this collaborative business meetup will operate as a recurring fortnightly event, taking place twice a month on alternate Saturdays. The planned sessions will serve as an ongoing incubator of ideas where local innovators, investors, and founders can review project pipelines and explore joint ventures, with a sharp focus on industrial manufacturing and tech applications. The broader mission is to boost job creation, foster domestic production, and enhance overall economic self-reliance across the Northeast. Innovators and founders looking to join future sessions or explore tech venture development can reach Kunal Barthakur by phone at 7896829091 or via email at kunal@kunalbarthakur.com.
