Manipal, India (April 23, 2024): MIT Manipal held FINENT-2024, a conference focused on the intersection of financial technology (fintech) and entrepreneurship. The event, held on April 18th, brought together industry leaders and academics to discuss the future of finance and innovation.
Fintech’s Role in Shaping the Future
FINENT-2024 kicked off with a powerful message from Dr. Milind Agarwal, CEO of Quickwork. He emphasized that fintech is more than just technology; it’s a way to make financial services more accessible and empower a new generation to tackle global challenges.
Academia and Industry Working Together
Dr. Yogesh Pai, head of MIT Manipal’s Department of Humanities and Management, welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities and businesses. Leaders from MIT Manipal, including Dr. Milind Agrawal (alumnus), Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana (Director), and Dr. Giridhar Kini (Registrar), all spoke about how this kind of collaboration can drive innovation in both technology and entrepreneurship.
Thriving in the Dynamic Fintech Landscape
Industry experts like Mr. Venu Madhav (Fidelity Information Services) and Ms. Sabrina Khatri (MSCI) shared their insights on the ever-changing world of fintech. They discussed the skills needed to succeed in this field, with Mr. Madhav emphasizing adaptability and Ms. Khatri focusing on the value of having a broad range of skills and keeping the customer at the center of everything.
Fintech Entrepreneurship for Social Change
The morning sessions concluded with a keynote address by Mr. Prakash Ganeshan, co-founder of LCode Technologies. He spoke about the power of fintech entrepreneurship to create positive social change.
Harnessing Data and Fostering Entrepreneurship
The afternoon featured presentations on data and entrepreneurship. Mr. Nithin Seth, CEO of Incedo Inc., spoke about the importance of data, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s world. Following this, there was a panel discussion led by Dr. M H Bala Subrahmanya that explored the rise of Manipal as a hub for entrepreneurship.
Shaping the Future Through Innovation
The closing session featured inspirational remarks from Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, and Mr. Nithin Seth. Lt. Gen. Venkatesh stressed the importance of FINENT-2024 in creating an environment where innovative ideas can flourish. He highlighted the university’s goal of preparing students not just to be part of the future, but to actively shape it. Mr. Seth concluded the event by emphasizing the vast opportunities in India’s booming entrepreneurial landscape. He encouraged participants to seize these opportunities to not only succeed themselves, but also to propel India’s economic and technological advancements.
Event Credits
The successful FINENT-2024 conference was organized by Dr. Raveendra Rao and Dr. Sumukh S Hungund, with support from co-convenors Dr. Rajesh R Pai and Prof. Lidwin Kenneth Micheal.
