Executive Director's Message
August 2008 

Thanks for visiting our website. It is such an exciting time to be associated with the Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development. In all of our activities, we strive to fulfill our underlying vision: to create and disseminate a body of knowledge, to enhance the strength and vitality of entrepreneurs, and to enable them to be an integral and important part of the global economy.

The TiE-ISB Connect 2008 event, organised by the WCED and the Hyderabad Chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), was held on the ISB campus in November. An annual event since 2005, this year’s conference attracted a large number of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, academics, and other delegates. The event provided budding entrepreneurs unprecedented opportunities for mentoring, networking and, in many cases, a chance to pitch their business plan directly to the VC community. A special theme for this year’s TiE-ISB Connect event was how to tap ‘The Next 800 Million Opportunity,’ and focussed on uncovering the vast opportunity that lies beyond India’s 300 million middle class population.

We are hard at work planning or rolling out a variety of other initiatives that will help create the critical ecosystem that is vital for a vibrant entrepreneurial environment. In March 2009, we will host the first International ISB-Rand Conference on Entrepreneurship and Public Policy in India. The event will bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to address the unique challenges associated with entrepreneurship in India.
Our K-Hub Growth Initiative is in full swing and, with the support of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, provides high technology ventures with expert mentoring, a range of business development services, and access to a global knowledge network.

Other exciting initiatives include the Women Entrepreneurs Connect conference, and the ISB Entrepreneurs Development Initiative, which provides up to two years of financial and other support to students’ ventures in order to get them “VC-ready.” The ISB Growth Initiative places ISB students in short-term consulting roles with organisations in the SME sector, which enhances the student experience and at the same time adds value to the organisation.

Of course, complementing these ambitious activities are academic course offerings that focus on skill-building and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. Our instructors are renowned academics from the best schools in the world. Attracting world-class faculty has been a cornerstone of our success, along with creating strong partnerships with government, industry bodies, institutions, and alumni.

We are looking forward to an exciting few months ahead, and I will be sure to keep you posted on all our activities.

Thanks again for your interest in the WCED.

Dr Krishna Tanuku
Executive Director