CEOthon to Give 50 Students an Opportunity to Run a Startup for a Day in Patna on November 17
PATNA: In an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening the startup culture among young people in Bihar, Patna will host CEOthon (Create. Execute. Own.), a one-day student entrepreneurship competition, on November 17. The event will bring together 50 aspiring student entrepreneurs, giving them an opportunity to experience the challenges of building, managing and leading a startup.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Ayush Kumar Roy, founder of Student Says and one of Bihar’s young entrepreneurs. Presented by the Gen G India Entrepreneurs Association, the event is being organised in association with Student Says and Aarambh Network. The programme will run from 8 am to 8 pm.
Unlike conventional business-plan competitions, CEOthon is designed as an immersive startup simulation in which participants will be divided into teams and assigned key leadership and departmental responsibilities. Students will take on roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
Working in teams, participants will be required to address business challenges, make strategic decisions, manage departmental responsibilities and develop business concepts. They will also receive guidance from mentors throughout the day before presenting their ideas before a five-member panel of judges drawn from the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
A distinctive feature of the competition will be its individual assessment process. Participants will be evaluated not only on their team’s overall performance and business idea but also on their individual leadership abilities, decision-making skills, departmental performance and contribution to the team. Outstanding participants will receive recognition in different departmental categories.
Every participant will receive a certificate of participation and event goodies. The programme will also provide opportunities for mentorship, networking and interaction with professionals from the startup ecosystem.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Entrepreneurship
According to the organisers, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between conventional classroom education and practical exposure to entrepreneurship and industry. Through Student Says, Ayush Kumar Roy has been working towards promoting skill development, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry exposure among school students.
Based in Darbhanga, Student Says focuses on equipping students with skills and opportunities that extend beyond traditional academic learning. CEOthon is an extension of this vision, providing young participants with a collaborative platform to learn through practical experience and take responsibility for business decisions.
The organisers also aim to connect Bihar’s emerging entrepreneurial talent with startup founders, investors, incubation centres and ecosystem builders from across the country.
Participation Limited to 50 Students
The competition is open to student entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs across Patna, irrespective of their school, educational background or academic stream. No prior entrepreneurial experience is required. Participation has been restricted to 50 students to ensure that every participant gets meaningful responsibilities and an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
Interested students can register through the official website, www.ceothon.in. Participation will be subject to seat availability.
The organisers have also invited startup founders, investors, entrepreneurship communities, incubation centres and industry professionals across Bihar to join the initiative as mentors, jury members and strategic partners.
Through CEOthon, the organisers aim to create stronger connections between young aspiring entrepreneurs and Bihar’s growing startup ecosystem while encouraging students to explore entrepreneurship as a potential career path.
The writer is a Delhi-based senior journalist and commentator.
