GIBS Business School’s Recent Online IRE Talks Webinars: Fueling Innovation & Research
In the GIBS Business School’s flagship platform, IRE talks, participants get access to the latest global trends in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Fostering innovation, research, and entrepreneurship, IRE talks serve as an exemplary learning opportunity. The most recent editions, March and April 2025, focused on powerful verticals such as entrepreneurial resilience, leadership strategies, global business trends, and many more. In attendance for these discussions were global experts from Italy, Vietnam, and India.
Let us take a glimpse of the recent IRE talks webinars that brought forth a world of new ideas and entrepreneurial inspiration.
1. Prof. Paul Allen Benavides
Topic: Entrepreneurship & Mindfulness – The 21st Century Advantage
Date: April 10, 2025
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April’s IRE Talks were kicked off by Professor Paul Allen Benavides from Swinburne University of Technology (Vietnam) who delivered an incredible speech about the 21st century: “Mindfulness is not a luxury; in this day and age, it’s a strategy.”
In a world inundated with information, Prof. Benavides said mindfulness stands out as a significant aid to fostering entrepreneurial clarity and innovation. He pointed out that today’s leaders require not just business skills, but also emotional mastery and self-awareness to fuel sustainable ventures.
His session was interactive and hands-on requiring students to take a thoughtful step back to re-energize towards their objectives, a feat many winding entrepreneurs tend to miss.
2. Prof. Valerio Mancini
Topic: Global Entrepreneurship: Navigating Opportunities in a Changing World
Date: March 25, 2025
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Joining from Italy, Prof. Valerio Mancini from Rome Business School brought a global perspective to the IRE Talks series. He explained how entrepreneurship has taken a new form post-pandemic—with digital innovation, sustainability, and social impact at its core.
He encouraged GIBS students to look beyond borders and think like global citizens. His talk covered case studies of start-ups that have scaled internationally and discussed how changing economic and political landscapes offer fresh business opportunities.
Prof. Mancini’s key advice? “Stay flexible, build cross-cultural skills, and keep learning from failures and successes alike.”
3. Ms. Kanika Vaswani
Topic: Fail, Learn, Restart Your Entrepreneurial Journey
Date: March 12, 2025
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In what at first came off as a gentle monologue, Kanika Vaswani, Co-Founder of the Women Entrepreneur Network (WEN), shifted gears to capture what it entails to be an entrepreneur.
Recollecting her life experiences, she vividly portrayed her failures as the very ingredients that enabled success. Her narrative is one of tenacity garnished proudly with community support and the bold willingness to start afresh.
Her message deeply resonated with the GIBS community—especially young entrepreneurs who may be afraid of failure. Kanika reminded everyone that entrepreneurship isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up, stronger and wiser.
4. Mr. Aditya Kashyap
Topic: Entrepreneurship & Leadership in the New Age
Date: March 6, 2025
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Aditya Kashyap, the visionary behind Cinedubs, brought in a refreshing perspective on leadership. He shared reflections from managing a burgeoning tech-based media startup. In his thoughts, leadership in this age of digitization is less about control and more about collaboration.
Focusing on the contemporary entrepreneur, he spoke of the need for agility, compassion, and tech savviness. Alongside, he shared lessons from a unique venture he built marrying filmography with technology demonstrating how zeal can foster innovation.
One of his most memorable quotes was: “Innovation without leadership is like a ship without a captain.”
5. Mr. Kaushal Thakkar
Topic: Entrepreneurial Mindset
Date: February 28, 2025
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Though technically held just before March, Mr. Kaushal Thakkar’s session set the perfect tone for the IRE Talks season. As the Founder of Infidigit, he focused on the mindset that separates doers from dreamers.
He explained how building a business is as much a mental game as it is a strategic one. With examples from his SEO-focused company, he guided students on how to stay focused, identify market gaps, and create customer value consistently.
His talk was filled with tips on digital branding, goal setting, and dealing with uncertainty—key aspects every aspiring entrepreneur must master.
A Platform that Transforms Learners into Leaders
Each of these IRE Talks served as a reminder that real learning happens when theory meets real-world stories. These sessions were not just lectures; they were conversations—offering students a window into the lives, thoughts, and lessons of global entrepreneurs and leaders.
The IRE Talks also reflect how GIBS Business School continues to lead from the front. As a Top Business School in Bangalore, GIBS ensures that students don’t just receive classroom knowledge but also stay connected with real-time industry insights and inspirational journeys.
Why IRE Talks Matter at GIBS
- Industry Relation Executives: The webinars fit the expectation of GIBS to equip students with relevant insights for use in helping them gain employment post-education.
- Cross-Cultural Exposure: With speakers from different regions, students appreciate business from cross-cultural and international angles.
- Stimulating Entrepreneurship: Students are given a range of ideas that help sustain innovation and build interest in starting new businesses.
- Personal Branding Competencies: Leadership, critical self-reflexivity, digital branding, and mindfulness are some of the relevant topics in contemporary businesses now.
Final Thoughts
The March–April 2025 series of IRE Talks was a huge success—not just in numbers but in impact. It contributed to the already existing Innovation and Research culture at GIBS Business School.
With its emphasis on real-time instructional learning and international collaboration, GIBS sustains his/her vision to encourage students to dream big, act boldly, and lead with impact. These sessions are more than just talks—they are mentorship sessions for future leaders.
If you missed any of these incredible webinars, you can still catch the recordings on the official GIBS YouTube channel and get inspired.
Discover Potential, Discover GIBS.