‘Explore ideas fearlessly, learn from failures’: Aequs Private Limited Chief Technology Officer Ravi Guttal

Hubballi: Advising the students to fully leverage the innovation ecosystem available in their institute, Aequs Private Limited Chief Technology Officer Ravi Guttal asked students to explore ideas fearlessly, learn from their failures, and constantly reinvent themselves.

He was speaking at the Institutional Innovation Council (ICC) Regional Meet-2025 organised by KLE Technological University, the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and AICTE at KLE Tech Auditorium in the city on Tuesday. Highlighting his philosophy of the ‘three Ps’, he advised students to cultivate ‘passion’ to begin new ventures, demonstrate ‘perseverance’ to stay committed, and adopt ‘pivoting’ when an idea does not yield expected outcomes.

He stressed the importance of thinking differently, collaborating with peers, and approaching innovation with an open, experimental mindset.

Innovation Ecosystem in HEIs Assistant Director Lt Cdr Akhil Sharma remarked that India’s most promising and impactful innovations are increasingly emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, rather than metropolitan cities, underscoring the significance of decentralising innovation opportunities.

The innovation exhibition was opened by KLE Technological University Vice-Chancellor Prakash Tewari and other dignitaries. The exhibition witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 150 IIC institutions and 55 non-IIC institutions. Around 50 Yukti teams presented a diverse range of innovative prototypes and solutions, while 10 Swadeshi groups showcased indigenous and culturally rooted products.

The meet witnessed the participation of more than 600 delegates, comprising students, faculty members, innovators, startup founders, and school representatives.

AICTE Innovation Officer Abhishek Ranjan Kumar, Indovation Manager S Sam Jaikumar, and IIC former convener Vinayak Kulkarni, among others, were present.