MERI Group of Institutions’ Global Startup Festival 2025 Ends on a High Note, Fueling Innovation and Collaboration

New Delhi : The Global Startup Festival 2025, organized by MERI Group of Institutions through its MERI Startup Hub, successfully took place on January 7-8, 2025, at the Janakpuri campus of MERI Group of Institutions. The two-day event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, focusing on sharing ideas, addressing challenges, and promoting collaboration within the startup ecosystem.
Day 1 Highlights:
The festival kicked off with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp and the National Anthem, followed by the welcome address from Prof. Lalit Aggarwal, Vice President of MERI, who highlighted innovation as a key driver of societal progress. Mr. Luv Aggarwal, CEO of MERI Startup Hub, spoke about the objectives of the festival and how MERI has played a role in facilitating collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors.
A keynote address by Lt. Gen. A.B. Shivane, Strategic Advisor to the Government of India, discussed how startups can contribute to India’s growth. Mr. Basem Hellis, representing the Palestinian Embassy, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the startup space.
One of the significant highlights of the festival was the launch of Lexyta, an AI-powered tool for investment underwriting and business risk assessment. Lexyta helps businesses assess their potential and identify risks, providing useful insights for both entrepreneurs and investors. Panel discussions during the day covered topics such as startup challenges, entrepreneurship-driven growth, and sustainability, offering practical insights and solutions. The day concluded with a startup pitch session where over 30 startups presented their ideas to investors.
Day 2 Highlights:
The second day began with a presentation by Mr. Luv Aggarwal, providing further details on Lexyta and its potential impact on the startup landscape. Panel discussions for the day included “Technology and Innovation,” led by Mr. Pankaj Jain, Managing Director of VCJ Trust, focusing on the role of technology and collaboration in addressing global issues. Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital led another panel on “Defense and Startups,” discussing how innovation is transforming defense technologies.
ICICI Bank also presented financial strategies for startups, offering guidance on effective resource management and scaling. The festival concluded with a felicitation ceremony recognizing standout startups like Expanse Cosmos, Colmen, and Decor Earth, who were awarded for their innovative approaches.
The Global Startup Festival 2025 provided a valuable platform for networking, collaboration, and learning. MERI Group of Institutions remains committed to supporting startups and fostering an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive. The event successfully contributed to the ongoing efforts of MERI Startup Hub in connecting entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance they need to grow and succeed.