On February 13th, an electrifying session on Design Thinking took place, immersing participants in a world of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving! The energy in the room was undeniable as 15 teams, fresh from the Business Plan Competition, gathered to refine their ideas and transform them into real-world ventures.
Leading this dynamic session was Mr. Praveen Kapoor, Co-founder and Managing Director of Beboss Technology. With his extensive experience and passion for innovation, he guided us through the startup journey, introducing the "Hear & Tall" method and sharing practical, real-world applications of Design Thinking. This was not just another theoretical workshop; it was about equipping future entrepreneurs with actionable tools to bring meaningful change.
The session began with an exciting activity where participants sketched their partners, an exercise that wasn’t just about artistic skills but about careful observation and attention to detail. Following this, we engaged in interactive conversations, discovering each other's likes, dislikes, places of origin, and other key aspects that could identify needs from a customer’s perspective. This exercise set the stage for understanding empathy-driven innovation, the core of Design Thinking.
We then explored SCAMPER, a powerful framework for innovation: Substitute – Can we replace an element to improve the solution? Combine – What ideas or features can be merged for better results? Adjust – How can we tweak an aspect to fit a new need? Modify – Can we amplify or refine certain elements? Put to another use – Can this product serve a different purpose?
Eliminate – What’s unnecessary and can be removed? Rearrange – Can restructuring improve functionality?
The students also explored the ORANGE concept, another creative approach that encourages innovative problem-solving.
Mr. Kapoor captivated the room with inspiring real-life success stories where Design Thinking led to transformative solutions:
- 1) Aarambh’s Help Desk Solution – A support system designed for rural students, ensuring they receive essential resources to improve their learning experience. Aarambh, an NGO working for marginalized families, strives to bridge educational gaps and provide better opportunities.
- 2) Jeevan Bindi – A revolutionary iodine-patched bindi improving the health of women in rural communities. A simple yet powerful innovation.
- 3) Thermal Wraps for Newborns – A heartwarming solution ensuring newborn babies stay warm and safe, especially in resource-limited settings.
These weren’t just abstract concepts, they were real innovations making a tangible difference in people’s lives. The room buzzed with excitement as participants realized the potential of applying Design Thinking to their own ventures.
Armed with Design Thinking principles, the students are now better equipped to challenge norms, solve problems creatively, and turn ideas into impactful businesses.