Marwadi University hosted entrepreneur, investor and boAt Co-founder Aman Gupta for a fireside chat during the orientation programme for its incoming first-year students. The session brought together more than 650 students, who interacted with the business leader on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and the realities of building brands in India.The discussion focused on practical experiences from Gupta’s entrepreneurial journey, including challenges, setbacks and key milestones that shaped his career. Students also participated in an interactive conversation covering startup growth, business strategy, leadership, career choices and the changing workplace shaped by Gen Z.Aman Gupta shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journeyAddressing students, Gupta encouraged them to focus on their own decisions instead of external opinions. “You should not worry about the world. Don’t think what people are thinking. Do what you think,” he said.Speaking about young people, he described Gen Z as “the smartest generation in this country” and said they represented the country’s future. Reflecting on his own career, he noted that his biggest lessons came not from business school but from startup failures, urging students to build something of their own.He also spoke about recognising personal value, saying that individuals should understand their own worth rather than allowing others to define it. Gupta added that he relies more on instinct than on insights gathered solely from data. Concluding his remarks, he said, “While some grow older, I grow bolder.”Views on boAt and public marketsDiscussing boAt, Gupta said taking a company public brings accountability to shareholders and the wider public. He stated that he did not believe he was ready to lead a public company at the current stage, while leaving open the possibility for the future.University highlights innovation supportDuring the session, Marwadi University Trustee Dhruv Marwadi outlined the institution’s entrepreneurship initiatives. He said every student startup idea is supported with Rs 2.5 lakh through the University’s Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Research.Marwadi said the university encourages interdisciplinary collaboration by bringing together students from engineering, nursing, management, computer applications and law to develop startup teams. He added that the institution aims to provide learning experiences beyond classrooms by connecting students with industry leaders. The event concluded with an extended question-and-answer session on startup funding, brand building, innovation, leadership and scaling Indian consumer brands.
