Her Excellency Begoña Gómez and Spanish Delegates Visit Parul University

In a significant milestone highlighting India-Spain collaboration in the startup sector, Parul University in Vadodara hosted Her Excellency Begoña Gómez, spouse of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, alongside a delegation from the Spanish government. This visit, facilitated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, offered a unique opportunity for Her Excellency to interact with student-led startups and explore the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Gujarat.

Her Excellency’s visit to Parul University’s incubation center underscores the university’s pivotal role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in Gujarat. Parul University was uniquely selected by the Ministry of External Affairs of Spain as the top incubation center in Gujarat, a testament to the institution’s dedication to fostering a vibrant startup culture.

Renowned for its contributions to the Indian startup ecosystem, Parul University has consistently prioritized entrepreneurship through initiatives aimed at nurturing innovation. Recognized in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 within the prestigious 11-50 rank bracket for innovation, Parul University has earned its place as a leading innovation-driven institution, surpassing notable IITs, IIMs, and business schools across India.

Further reinforcing its standing, the university’s incubation center holds a 4/4 star rating from the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell for three consecutive years. This rating recognizes Parul University’s consistent efforts to empower students to innovate, create, and launch successful ventures.

The highlight of Her Excellency Begoña Gómez’s visit was her tour of the Parul Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Center (PIERC), a thriving hub where students develop startups with mentorship, funding, and market launch assistance. PIERC has supported over 200 student-led startups, reflecting Parul University’s vision of building an ecosystem that nurtures groundbreaking innovation.

Her Excellency interacted directly with 12 pioneering startups led by Parul University students, including Galanto Innovations, Medref Healthbridge, Yield Earth Pro Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Cardio, Dori Handicrafts, PlanPact Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Cligent, Vcare Ostomy, CareKali, Indiesemic Pvt. Ltd., Ecorrect Pvt. Ltd., and CareBotech. These startups span diverse industries, from technology and healthcare to sustainable energy and agriculture, showcasing the wide-ranging impact of student-led innovation.

Her Excellency’s engagement with Parul University’s student entrepreneurs provided valuable insights into the challenges and breakthroughs within India’s growing startup sector. Through discussions with the founders and co-founders of various startups, she gained an understanding of the unique strategies these young entrepreneurs employ to address pressing global issues, such as eco-friendly agriculture and advanced healthcare solutions.

Expressing her admiration for the university’s efforts, Her Excellency noted, “The focus on social innovation and the dedication to addressing global challenges through entrepreneurship is truly inspiring. Interacting with these passionate young innovators has been a remarkable experience. Entrepreneurship has the potential to tackle some of the world’s most significant challenges, and it’s inspiring to see such a commitment to making a positive impact.”

The warm reception of Her Excellency by Parul University’s esteemed leaders, including President Dr. Devanshu Patel, highlights the university’s recognition on an international scale. Dr. Patel expressed pride in hosting the Spanish delegation, remarking, “Her Excellency’s visit is a significant moment for Parul University. This event has strengthened our commitment to support entrepreneurial excellence and has opened pathways for collaborative opportunities with Spain.”

With a shared interest in fostering an entrepreneurial exchange between India and Spain, the visit set the stage for future collaboration. Spain’s burgeoning entrepreneurial sector offers an exciting opportunity for cross-cultural startup growth and academic partnership. Parul University envisions broadening its offerings to include academic and entrepreneurial exchange programs, enhancing innovation by uniting India’s emerging talent with Spain’s vibrant startup ecosystem.

PIERC CEO Mr. Jay Sudani reflected on the significance of the visit, stating, “Our vision at Parul University’s incubation center is to cultivate a supportive ecosystem where creativity, resilience, and sustainable innovation converge. Today’s engagement with Her Excellency reinforces the value of bringing together diverse perspectives to shape a future where sustainability and innovation are inseparable.”

Her Excellency Begoña Gómez’s visit to Parul University is a landmark event underscoring the university’s leadership in the startup and innovation space. This collaboration between India and Spain not only celebrates Parul University’s achievements but also fosters a global outlook toward a sustainable and innovative future.