Woodstock Entrepreneurship Fest

Woodstock Entrepreneurship Fest

By Neil Kapoor, Student Intern

The 2024 Woodstock Entrepreneurship Fest, centered on Woodstock’s Guiding Principle of  Well-being, was held on August 23-24, 2024 at Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India.  The Fest united innovative students from schools across India to address global challenges through creative entrepreneurial endeavors. A collaboration between the Centre for Imagination and the Individuals & Societies Department, the event aimed to enhance students’ entrepreneurial abilities, build relationships among peers and experts, and prompt creative problem solving around the theme of Wellbeing.

Focusing on improving emotional, physical, intellectual, and/or spiritual health, student teams came to the Fest with their well-being business proposals and participated in high-level workshops focused on design thinking, well-being, and the skill of pitching to improve those proposals. Workshops were led by Woodstock alumni and visiting professionals, and gave students an opportunity to see the Woodstock entrepreneurial spirit in action.

The well-being theme was designed to motivate students to develop businesses that focus on both financial sustainability and the well-being of individuals/communities. By embracing Woodstock’s goal of establishing a harmonious, safe atmosphere, the event inspired upcoming business owners to prioritize the broader societal effects of their initiatives over merely focusing on financial gain. Workshops leaders led students through thought-provoking exercises to help them identify their “Ikigai,” or sense of purpose, as a means to finding a sustainable, passion-driven focus for their entrepreneurial enterprises.

The Fest was impactful for students as it enabled them to investigate different aspects of wellness and recognize how they are all connected to entrepreneurship. Students developed important skills such as communication, innovation, and leadership through teamwork, creative problem-solving, and competitive pitch presentations. The occasion also offered an opportunity to connect with professionals, expanding their entrepreneurial outlooks.

After pitching their proposals before a panel of professional judges, the first, second, and third place winners received generous cash prizes from sponsors Xavier University, Monash University, and University of Oregon in order to further pursue their wellbeing entrepreneurial ventures.