CNLU Patna Organises “Vyapaar: The Ultimate Pitch Battle” in Association with LL.B Mania

Patna, April 2024:
The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Legal Entrepreneurship (CIILE), Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, in association with LL.B Mania as the Event Partner, successfully organised the 1st National Business Plan Competition, “Vyapaar: The Ultimate Pitch Battle,” on 7th and 13th April 2024 in online mode.

Vyapaar was conceptualised as a platform to foster a new start-up culture in India, providing aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch innovative business ideas before an eminent panel of judges. The competition was open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across disciplines, with teams consisting of a minimum of one and a maximum of two participants.

The inaugural edition witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 35 teams representing more than 15 prestigious institutions across India, including Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar; Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala; Symbiosis Law School, Noida; Christ University, Delhi NCR; Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak; AIIMS Patna; Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur; and Chanakya National Law University, Patna, among others.

Event Structure

The competition was conducted in three structured rounds designed to assess different dimensions of business planning and execution:

• Preliminary Round: Teams submitted detailed business plans evaluated on parameters such as feasibility, innovation, market potential, and financial planning. The top 12 teams advanced to the semi-final round.
• Semi-Final Round: Shortlisted teams presented their business proposals before a panel of judges, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. The top 4 teams were selected for the final round.
• Final Round: The finalists delivered comprehensive pitch presentations highlighting their unique value propositions, scalability, and growth strategies. Evaluation was based on overall impact, strategic fit, and execution potential.

Judging Panel

The judging panel comprised Senior Advocates from the Supreme Court of India, Partners and Associates from leading law firms, startup founders and CEOs, and Professors of Law and Business from reputed institutions, ensuring a robust and multidisciplinary evaluation process.

Results

• Winner: AIIMS, Patna
  The winning team presented an innovative healthcare startup model aimed at delivering affordable medical solutions in rural areas. The judges appreciated the proposal for its strong social impact and scalability.
• Runner-Up: Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar
  The runner-up team proposed a legal-tech platform focused on simplifying legal processes for startups, which was commended for its practicality and market relevance.

Feedback from the Panel

The event received widespread appreciation from the judges and panelists.

• Mr. Gautam Busi, Partner, King Stubb & Kasiva, described Vyapaar as one of the best-organised competitions he has judged, praising its seamless execution and professional coordination.
• Mr. Priyan Garg, Senior Marketing Communications Manager, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, appreciated the initiative and its excellent execution, noting its innovative nature.
• Mr. Vikash Kukreti, Partner, Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, highlighted the smooth articulation, logistics, and overall management of the event.
• Dr. Amlanika Bora, Assistant Professor of Law, Vidyashilp University, Bengaluru, termed the event concept innovative and commended the organising team for their exceptional efforts.

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Vyapaar aims to:

• Expand participation to include a larger number of institutions nationwide
• Strengthen industry collaboration for mentorship and networking
• Introduce follow-up incubation and startup support programmes for top-performing teams

Acknowledgements

CIILE, CNLU Patna extends sincere gratitude to LL.B Mania for partnering with the event, and to all participants, judges, mentors, volunteers, and the university administration for their invaluable support. The organising team looks forward to hosting future editions and continuing its efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within the legal community.