Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, inaugurated the Centre for Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship of XISS (CIINEX) on its campus on 6 December 2024. This initiative marks a significant step in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on providing support to students, tribal communities, and aspiring entrepreneurs to create sustainable solutions.

The centre was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Fr Ajit Xess, Chairman, XISS GB, Dr Saurav Snehvrat, Associate Professor at XLRI Jamshedpur, Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS in the august gathering of faculty members, dignitaries, and other guests. Fr Xess in his address elaborated on the importance of innovation and incubation, explaining how they can shape the future of entrepreneurship and extended his best wishes for the success of CIINEX.

The event began with a welcome note by Dr Amar Tigga, Dean Academics, who emphasized the center’s mission to solve real-world problems. He remarked that this effort is not just about starting businesses but about nurturing ideas and transforming them into impactful ventures that could reach IPO levels.

Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director of XISS, in his address shared with the audience that CIINEX will address the growing number of queries from small business owners seeking guidance. The role of business and social incubation in enabling sustainable development and XISS is committed to social upliftment, he stated.

Dr Saurav Snehvrat, Associate Professor, XLRI and an expert in entrepreneurship management, delivered an inspiring keynote address. Quoting Winston Churchill, he said, a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Dr Snehvrat said that India’s global position in innovation is rising, and the situation suggests breakthroughs in defense, pharma, and IT sectors in the coming years. Niche areas like ed-tech, ag-tech, and health-tech for entrepreneurship in Jharkhand, should be explored more particularly focusing on branding forest products and improving healthcare in remote areas, he concluded.

Later, during the event, Dr Tina Murarka, Coordinator, CIINEX, presented the centre’s key objectives and plans focusing on collaborations, case studies, networking events, guidance from established entrepreneurs, awareness campaigns, and leveraging local and social media for outreach. Adding to the vision, Dr Binit Lakra, Coordinator CIINEX, emphasized sustainability and creating a balanced entrepreneurial ecosystem to improve the survival and growth rates of startups.

The event concluded with insightful remarks from the audiences including Mr Manish Kumar, Mr Jaydeep, and other entrepreneurs, who shared their experiences and offered valuable advice to budding entrepreneurs. Their reflections underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Later, guests visited the stalls put up by the entrepreneurs.  The inauguration of CIINEX marks a pivotal moment in XISS’s journey toward empowering communities and fostering impactful entrepreneurship.