CATALYST 2025 Sets New Benchmark in Startup Law Discourse; LL.B Mania Joins as Event Partner
Patna, August 17, 2025
The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Legal Entrepreneurship (CIILE) at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, successfully hosted CATALYST 2025: Startup Law & Policy Summit, marking the second edition of its flagship conference. Building upon the resounding success of its inaugural 2024 edition, the summit further solidified its position as a premier platform for advancing dialogue at the intersection of law, policy, and the startup ecosystem.
With LL.B Mania as the official Event Partner, CATALYST 2025 brought together leading legal practitioners, policymakers, academicians, and students to engage in high-impact discussions on the evolving regulatory and commercial landscape governing startups in India.
The summit was strategically designed to examine critical aspects of corporate structuring, governance frameworks, cross-border M&A, and regulatory compliance, while also decoding funding mechanisms and policy infrastructure shaping startup growth. It provided actionable insights for founders, investors, and legal professionals navigating M&A-driven expansion and complex regulatory environments.
The event featured a distinguished panel of experts who shared invaluable perspectives:
- Ms. Ranjana Adhikari, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., highlighted regulatory and policy challenges in technology and media transactions, emphasizing the growing importance of cybersecurity and data protection in M&A due diligence.
- Mr. Varun Vaish, Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, discussed dual-track exit strategies and the increasing role of private equity in mid-market consolidation.
- Mr. Sameer Avasarala, Principal Associate at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys, addressed data privacy risks across startup lifecycles and sector-specific regulatory challenges, particularly in FinTech, healthcare, and insurance.
- Dr. Deborshi Barat, Counsel and Head of Public Policy & Knowledge Management at S&R Associates, brought interdisciplinary insights on public policy, emerging technologies, and compliance frameworks.
- Ms. Jyotshna Yashaswi, corporate lawyer specializing in M&A, PE, and VC transactions, provided practical guidance on deal structuring and fundraising strategies.
The summit also showcased strong academic participation through its paper presentation segment, encouraging rigorous research and interdisciplinary engagement on contemporary legal challenges in startup ecosystems.
Competition Results
- Winner: Neelanshu Kashyap and Koitoree Nag, National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi
- Runner-up: Ms. Ashwasti Shravani, National Law University Odisha
The event was meticulously organized by the CIILE team.
Academic and Industry Impact
CATALYST 2025 significantly advanced discourse in startup law by bridging the gap between academic research and industry practice. It deepened understanding of deal structuring, due diligence, data privacy, competition law, and founder protections, while fostering policy-sensitive and commercially aware legal thinking among participants.
The summit reinforced CNLU’s position as a hub for innovation-driven legal education and meaningful industry collaboration. With the support of LL.B Mania as Event Partner, the conference amplified its outreach and impact, contributing to a more informed and dynamic startup law ecosystem in India.
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