Puran Singh

In the last 6 years, I worked towards establishing IIT Mandi Catalyst, a technology business incubator at Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi. From recruiting the first startup in the incubation program in 2016 to the 220th startup in March this year, it has been an inspiring journey. While Catalyst is well stabilized and growing, I am now setting up a research initiative to utilize the learnings from incubation towards creating new knowledge to strengthen the understanding of the startup ecosystem in the country.

The research initiative will have the following interest areas: New Venture Creation Dynamics, National and Regional Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Entrepreneurship Policy Research, Entrepreneurship Finance, Rural Entrepreneurship, Social Impact Venture Creation

EMPLOYMENT

• 2021-Present Associate Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
• 2015-2021 Assistant Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
• 2014-2015 Assistant Professor, Finance, BITS-Pilani, KK Birla Campus, Goa
• 2013-2014 Research Associate, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
• 2012-2013 Academic Associate, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
• 2009-2012 Research Scholar, University Business School, PU, Chandigarh

EDUCATION

• 2013 PhD, Finance, University Business School, PU Chandigarh
• 2008 MBA, Finance, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
• 2006 B.Com, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (Gold Medal)

FELLOWSHIPS

• Fellow, Digital Research Identity Initiative, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, April 2018-Present
• Senior Research Fellowship, University Grants Commission, 2012
• Junior Research Fellowship, University Grants Commission, 2010-12

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Financial Inclusion: Challenges facing business correspondent model of banking
• Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation Dynamics, National and Regional Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Entrepreneurship Policy Research, Entrepreneurship Finance, Rural Entrepreneurship, Social Impact Venture Creation

AWARDS

• "Excellence in Teaching", Teaching Honors Award 2021, IIT Mandi
• "Significant and effective contribution in setting up Catalyst, IIT Mandi's TBI", Foundation Day Awards, Feb 24, 2018, IIT Mandi
• "Excellence in Teaching", Teaching Honors Award 2017, IIT Mandi
• "IIM RAIPUR - ET CASES Award – For a Case Showcasing Futuristic and Progressive Idea", Global Summit on Management Cases, 2014
• “Excellent Contribution by an Academic Associate”, Annual Awards for 2012-13, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
• "Gold Medal", B. Com, 2006, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla