Some moments stop you in your tracks. Not because you weren't working towards them, but because when they arrive, you feel the full weight of what they mean.
Being featured in Vidarbha Line — one of the most respected regional newspapers in the area — was one of those moments for us.
What Happened
At the Gondia Startup Idea Challenge 2025–26, Shalyam Navneeti was selected as one of only two startups in the entire district to receive a formal Affiliation Agreement with IBFC Gondia, operating under the prestigious IIM Nagpur InFED (Incubation & Entrepreneurship Development) program.
On Page 8 of the February 21, 2026 edition, Vidarbha Line reported that IBFC Gondia signed affiliation agreements with two promising startups from the district to provide structured incubation support — and Shalyam Navneeti, founded by Mayur Tembhare, was named as one of them.
Seeing your startup's name in print, in a newspaper your community reads, carries a different kind of weight. It's validation — not just from the industry, but from home.
Why This Recognition Matters
Let's put this in context.
IBFC Gondia isn't just any incubation center. It operates under IIM Nagpur's InFED program, one of the most credible startup development frameworks in the Vidarbha region. Being affiliated means access to structured mentorship, institutional support, and a network that connects early-stage startups to real growth pathways.
Out of all the startups that participated in the Gondia Startup Idea Challenge 2025–26, only two were selected for this agreement. That's not a participation trophy. That's a statement of belief in what we're building.
For a startup rooted in Gondia, working to solve a real problem for students and professionals across the country, this kind of institutional backing changes what's possible.
What This Means for What We're Building
At Shalyam Navneeti, our mission has always been clear: close the gap between education and industry. We want every student — whether they're in Mumbai or Gondia — to have access to the guidance, skills, and opportunities they need to build a meaningful career in technology.
With the support of IBFC Gondia and IIM Nagpur InFED behind us, we're no longer just building in isolation. We're building with structure, with mentorship, and with the credibility that comes from being recognized by institutions that have been developing entrepreneurs for years.
This affiliation accelerates everything — our platform development, our outreach, and our ability to serve students at scale.
A Signal for Gondia's Startup Ecosystem
This moment isn't only about Shalyam Navneeti.
It's a signal that Gondia's startup ecosystem is rising. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India have always had talent, ambition, and ideas. What they've sometimes lacked is recognition, infrastructure, and investment. Events like the Gondia Startup Idea Challenge — and institutions like IBFC Gondia — are changing that narrative.
When startups from smaller cities get featured in newspapers and earn affiliations with IIM-backed programs, it sends a message to every young builder watching from the sidelines: your city matters, and so do your ideas.
To Every Young Dreamer Watching
If you're a student or a young professional in Gondia, in Vidarbha, or anywhere in India's heartland — this is for you.
You don't need to move to a metro to build something meaningful. You don't need a fancy college or a big city address. You need a problem worth solving, the will to keep going, and the belief that where you're from doesn't limit where you're going.
We started here. We're proud to be here. And we're building from here — for the world.
What's Next
The journey is just beginning. With this affiliation in place and momentum building, Shalyam Navneeti is doubling down on its mission. More campus sessions, more student communities, and a platform that genuinely makes a difference in how people launch and grow their careers in tech.
Stay with us.
Contact us: contact@shalyam.com
Visit the platform: www.shalyam.com
Shalyam Navneeti is an IIM Nagpur InFED–affiliated startup on a mission to bridge the gap between education and industry for students and professionals across India.
.
