The inaugural cohort of the programme received an overwhelming response, with nearly 60 startup applications submitted by MBM alumni representing diverse industries and geographical regions. To evaluate the applications, a screening committee was constituted under the leadership of MBM Alumni Association President Vipul Kocher. The committee included Virendra Gupta, Abhishek Kumbhat, Jhilmil Kochar and Sushil Sharma, Founder of Marwari Catalysts. Following a rigorous evaluation process, three high-potential startups were selected for the first cohort. The names of the selected startups will be announced shortly.
The selected startups will receive strategic support through funding opportunities, one-on-one mentorship from accomplished entrepreneurs and industry experts, business scaling guidance, investor connections, market access and international exposure through the extensive ecosystem of Marwari Catalysts Group.
In addition to mentorship and investment support, Marwari Catalysts will provide startup acceleration credits worth nearly USD 200,000. The package includes Amazon Web Services credits, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence and developer tools, software subscriptions and other technology resources designed to help founders build, operate and scale their ventures more efficiently.
The programme will also facilitate participation in international startup delegations, investor meetings and global business networks, enabling founders from Jodhpur to explore opportunities beyond India and expand into international markets.
Following the announcement of the first cohort, applications for the second batch of the MBM Co-founders Club will be invited. The organisers expect an even stronger response from MBM alumni entrepreneurs across India and overseas, reflecting growing enthusiasm for alumni-led entrepreneurship and innovation.
The initiative is expected to foster a vibrant startup culture within MBM University by creating opportunities not only for alumni founders but also for current students, researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs. It is also expected to strengthen the innovation ecosystem of Jodhpur and Western Rajasthan by encouraging the growth of technology-driven enterprises and employment-generating ventures.
Speaking about the initiative, Sushil Sharma, Founder of Marwari Catalysts Group and a member of the screening committee, said that MBM has produced outstanding engineers, innovators and business leaders over several decades. He said the MBM Co-founders Club has been created to provide alumni founders with structured access to capital, mentorship, industry networks and global opportunities while building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of producing successful startups for many years.
Vipul Kocher, President of the MBM Alumni Association, said the institution's alumni network remains one of its greatest strengths. He stated that the Co-founders Club unites accomplished alumni from different industries and countries to support fellow entrepreneurs and inspire more MBM graduates to pursue entrepreneurship while contributing to innovation-led economic growth.
A defining feature of the initiative is the extensive support received from the MBM alumni community. Alumni from across India, as well as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Dubai, have committed to mentoring founders, facilitating investments and providing access to international business networks for the selected startups.
Over the decades, MBM has produced several distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to government, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure and entrepreneurship. Its notable alumni include Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister; Dr. Prem Shanker Goel, eminent space scientist and Padma Shri awardee; Sunil Chordia, Chairman and Managing Director of Rajratan Global Wire Ltd.; Pratik Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of Jash Engineering Ltd.; along with several accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders across India and overseas. Their continued engagement with the institution reflects the enduring strength and influence of the MBM alumni network.
With the launch of the MBM Co-founders Club, Marwari Catalysts Group and the MBM Alumni Association aim to establish one of India's strongest alumni-led startup platforms. The initiative is expected to transform innovative ideas from MBM alumni into globally competitive enterprises while strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan and beyond.
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