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MITSDE Centre for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

MITSDE CRIE

About CRIE at MITSDE

CRIE at MITSDE is the Centre for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, positioning MITSDE as a credible hub for applied, interdisciplinary, and impact-oriented research, enabling innovation and entrepreneurship that responds to national and societal challenges — especially sustainability and climate action.

Vision

To position MITSDE as a credible hub for applied, interdisciplinary, and impact-oriented research, enabling innovation and entrepreneurship that responds to national and societal challenges — especially sustainability and climate action.

Mission

Objectives

Governance Framework

An efficient governance mechanism ensures functional autonomy, transparency, accountability, and adaptability by strengthening interlinkages to create a conducive research environment. All activities of the IIC, Climate Cell and R&D Cell with Idea Café will be monitored by the Research Advisory Council (RAC) under CRIE, ensuring strategic direction, compliance, and measurable outcomes.

Research Advisory Council

A "Research Advisory Council" has been established starting from the academic year 2025–26 to provide regular guidance to the verticals under CRIE. This initiative aims to advance research activities within the institution, adhering to the directives of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) and the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in March 2022.

Sr No Name Designation
1 Dr. Suhrud Neurgaonkar (Director) Chairperson
2 Dr. Nitin Zadpe Associate Professor
3 Dr. Rajesh Raut Head — Centre for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
4 Avneesh Mishra (Senior Legal Counsel — Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited) External Member

Based on the guidelines provided by the Research Advisory Council, the responsibilities of various research and development initiatives have been delegated under the Centre for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Structural Components Under CRIE

3.1 Institution's Innovation Council (IIC)

MITSDE's IIC is aligned with the national IIC framework promoted through MoE's Innovation Cell (MIC), which supports institutional innovation culture through structured activities, innovation challenges, IPR focus, startup support, and innovation repository building.

Core Focus Areas (IIC at MITSDE):

What We Do Under IIC

We conduct the following activities to promote entrepreneurial thinking among students.

Innovate NEXT

Innovate NEXT is a national-level annual business plan competition aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through this competition, students get the opportunity to present their innovative business ideas, develop structured business plans, and interact with industry experts and mentors.

In addition, we have conducted the following activities as per the IIC Activity Calendar to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among learners. The details of the activities are presented in the table below.

Sr. No. Name of Activity Date
1Persuasive Presentation & Public Speaking Techniques18-Jan-25
2Advanced Negotiation and Conflict Resolution2-Feb-25
3CRM Tools and Strategies – Session 19-Feb-25
4CRM Tools and Strategies – Session 22-Mar-25
5AI Powered Website Creation: Simplifying Web Design10-Mar-25
6She Innovates; She Leads – Women Entrepreneurs Session8-Mar-25
7InnovateNEXT 1.0 – National Level Business Plan Competition2025
8AI for Sales 101: Prospect Smarter, Close Faster7-Sep-25
9Python Powered Stock Analysis using GenAI12-Oct-25
10Campus to Capital – Investor Pitch Session1-Nov-25

Connect X

Under ConnectX we conduct networking events, one on one dissection that offer an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and potential collaborators. These events foster meaningful interactions, allowing you to expand your professional network and explore new opportunities. Whether you are seeking mentorship or simply want to exchange ideas, our networking events are the perfect platform for professional growth.

The following are the details of the mentors/experts associated with us

Yogesh Kudale

Yogesh Kudale

PGDM in Finance Management
B.E. in Mechanical Engineering

Mentorship Areas: Solar Energy, Robotics

  • Co-founder & CEO, TAYPRO
  • Leading innovations, in autonomous solar panel cleaning robots at TAYPRO
  • Experience in R&D and sales in HVAC products at Cosmos Group
  • Expertise, in digital campaign management at ASME Student Section
  • Team leadership, at ISHRAE Student Section
  • Mechanical Design Development at N.D. Machino Tech
  • Exploration of bus transport systems at BEST Mumbai
Nitin Sonawane

Nitin Sonawane

MBA in Financial Management

Mentorship Areas: Drone Technology, High-tech Farming, MSME

  • Senior Business Development, Finance, Sales & Marketing Strategist
  • Sales Head, IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt. Ltd. (Driving agri-drone sales with AI, IoT, and robotics)
  • Regional Sales Manager, Fyllo (Scaled high-tech farming solutions and revenue across 11 states)
  • State Head, Jai Kisan (Advanced farmer finance and MSME growth)
  • External Advisor, McKinsey & Co. (Improved sales strategies for agricultural machinery)
  • Leadership roles at Sonalika, John Deere, Swaraj, and Eicher
Mohan Chaudhari

Mohan Chaudhari

B.E. in Mechanical Engineering

Mentorship Areas: System Engineering, Process Engineering, Dyes and Chemicals

  • Managing Director, Technodry System Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
  • Founder, Technodry System Engineering Pvt. Ltd. (Specializing in industrial drying, mixing, evaporation, and distillation solutions)
  • Extensive experience, in process engineering, marketing, project execution, and management since 1995
  • Expertise, in System Engineering, Process Engineering, Dyes, and Chemicals
  • Advisor/Mentor, for multiple Startups

Contact us: edcell@mitsde.com

3.2 Climate Cell

The Climate Cell acts as a thematic driver for climate-responsible research and innovation. NEP 2020 explicitly highlights climate change, sustainability, and environmental challenges as areas requiring interdisciplinary capability and research capacity.

Core Focus Areas (Climate Cell at MITSDE):

What We Do Under the Climate Cell

1. 1M1B Activity

Under the Climate Cell, our learners are actively participating in the 1M1B (One Million for One Billion) Internship Program, which focuses on climate action and sustainability. Through this initiative, students engage in projects related to environmental awareness, climate education, and sustainable development. The internship helps learners develop practical skills, global perspectives, and a strong sense of responsibility toward building a sustainable future.

2. Faculty and Student Research

The Climate Cell encourages faculty members and students to participate in research and academic activities related to environmental sustainability and climate-related issues. These initiatives promote awareness, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of sustainable practices that support environmental responsibility.

3.3 R&D Cell with Idea Café

MITSDE's R&D Cell with Idea Café is designed as the institutional engine for research ecosystem building — aligned with national expectations for robust research governance and output. The UGC's R&D Cell (RDC) Guidelines provide a clear structure for building institutional research capacity, ethics, funding facilitation, and output mechanisms — this framework is adopted as a reference model for institutional strengthening.

Core Focus Areas (R&D Cell with Idea Café):

What We Do Under the R&D Cell and Idea Café

1. Udyam — The Journal of Business Insights

Under the R&D Cell and Idea Café, we encourage learners to participate in the Udyam Research Journal by contributing research papers and innovative ideas. This initiative promotes academic research, critical thinking, and knowledge sharing among learners.
Visit Udyam – The Journal of Business Insights Website

2. X-Culture Research Internship

We also encourage learners to participate in the X-Culture Research Internship, an international experiential learning program that provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with global teams, work on real business challenges, and gain exposure to international research and business practices.

3. Faculty and Student Research

The Climate Cell encourages faculty members and students to participate in research and academic activities related to environmental sustainability and climate-related issues. These initiatives promote awareness, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of sustainable practices that support environmental responsibility.

4. MITSDE Business Research Lab Program

The MITSDE Business Research Lab Program is a live industry-based learning initiative where learners work on real business problems shared by companies. Under expert mentorship, participants conduct research, perform data analysis, and develop innovative, practical solutions to address industry challenges.

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