Surat, April 12, 2025 – The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) organized a high-impact Startup Summit on Saturday at Seminar Hall-A, Sarsana. The event focused on critical themes such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), fundraising strategies, and startup pitching, drawing participation from industry experts, investors, and Shark Tank India finalists from across the country.
In his opening address, SGCCI President Vijay Mevawala emphasized that Surat is rapidly transforming beyond its traditional diamond and textile industries. He noted that the city now hosts numerous incubation centers, co-working spaces, and startup platforms that empower youth to turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.
The summit commenced with a panel discussion on opportunities in e-commerce. Ketan Patel (OMS Guru), Hiren Lathia (Sudathi), Mehr Patel (Hector.AI), and Piyush Chhib (Maple Monk) shared their insights on the digital commerce landscape, moderated by Sandeep Kathiriya of EasySell.
This was followed by a masterclass titled "AI First Approach," where Nayan Bheda from Hashtech Ventures discussed the role of AI in business growth and startup development in the Indian context.
In a panel on AI implementation, Arjun Kava (VideoSDK), Chintan Papaiya (KisanAI), and Prerna (Narola AI Studio) explored the practical applications of AI in streamlining business operations. The session was moderated by Manoj Advani of Narad.io.
A dedicated panel on fundraising titled “From Idea to Investment” featured experts like CA Nirav Jogani, Gaurav Juneja, Manish Rathi, and CA Mehul Shah, who shared strategies for securing capital and building investor-ready businesses. This discussion was moderated by Nayan Bheda.
A special “Startup Pitch Arena” session allowed eight emerging startups to present their ideas to a panel of investors. This provided valuable insights into real investment opportunities and feedback on scalability and market fit.
The summit also featured a fireside chat with Shark Tank India finalists including Yash Tarwadi (Solns Energy), Radhika Sundarka (Zebra Learn), and Rakesh Somani (Decode Age). Sharing their entrepreneurial journeys, they praised Surat for its pro-business environment, stable workforce, and high-quality production. They also highlighted the city’s emerging identity as the “Solar City” of India, contributing to over 60% of the country’s solar panel production.
Puneet Gajera, Co-chair of the Chamber’s Startup and Innovation Committee, extended a vote of thanks to all speakers and participants. The summit successfully positioned Surat as a promising ecosystem for startups, providing a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.
