Introduction
What does it take to build a tech startup from scratch in a traditional industry? That question found its answer during the Power Talk session at ENEXT 2025, the flagship event of PSG Tech's E-Club. The atmosphere was charged with energy and anticipation as students and aspiring innovators gathered for one of the most awaited sessions of the entrepreneurship fest. The guest of honor, Mr. Abhilash Thirupathy, Founder and CEO of AgriFi.AI, delivered more than just a keynote—he shared his journey, his setbacks, and the raw reality of life as a first-generation entrepreneur.
From Roots to Revolution
Mr. Abhilash Thirupathy’s narrative began not in a boardroom, but in the heart of rural India—where farming isn’t just a livelihood, but a way of life. He painted a vivid picture of his early days, where questions outweighed answers, and resources were scarce. Entering the startup space as a first-generation entrepreneur with no legacy backing and limited exposure to the investor ecosystem, he faced an uphill climb.
Yet what made his journey stand apart was the unshakable belief that technology should not just serve the elite—it should empower the grassroots. That belief laid the foundation for AgriFi.AI, a platform that now integrates AI, IoT, satellite data, and data science to address real-time agricultural challenges. Whether it’s predictive analytics for crop planning, AI models for yield forecasting, or tools for accessing agri-finance, AgriFi.AI is revolutionizing the agricultural sector—one farmer at a time.
For students and aspiring founders in the audience, this part of his story served as a wake-up call: innovation doesn’t have to be flashy. It has to be impactful.
The Power Talk: A Glimpse into the Entrepreneurial Grind
The stage setup may have been polished, but the story that followed was anything but sugarcoated. Mr. Abhilash shared the raw truths of entrepreneurship—the kind that seldom makes it to social media feeds.
From facing multiple rejections from investors to pulling all-nighters debugging faulty code in pilot runs, the journey was far from linear. He spoke of launch failures, missed milestones, and the emotional toll of leading a startup while trying to convince stakeholders of a dream only he could see.
And yet, there was no bitterness in his voice—only resolve.
"You don’t need a silver spoon to start; you need an iron will to continue."
This quote struck a chord with every attendee, a reminder that startup success is not about being in the right place at the right time—it's about staying in the game, long enough to create your moment.
Lessons That Lit the Hall
The Power Talk was filled with lessons that go beyond business—they were about life, leadership, and legacy. Some of the standout takeaways included:
Validate your problem first.
Many startups fail not because the solution is weak, but because the problem is unclear. Fall in love with the problem, not your idea.
Tech is a tool, not the product.
Engineers and founders often chase cutting-edge tech, but Mr. Abhilash urged the crowd to solve real pain points. Farmers don't need AI—they need timely rain predictions, soil health reports, and better market access. Let tech serve, not shine.
Hire for hunger, not just skill.
A high-IQ developer who lacks purpose won’t last long. Passion is the real fuel for early-stage startups. Skills can be trained; drive cannot.
Data empathy matters.
In rural sectors, raw numbers mean little without context. One of AgriFi.AI’s biggest challenges was building interfaces that translated tech outputs into actionable advice for non-tech-savvy farmers.
He further emphasized that failure is feedback, not finality. In sectors like agriculture—where user trust takes time and digital adoption is gradual—adaptability and consistency win over speed and scale.
The ENEXT 2025 Effect: Igniting Sparks That Last
Beyond the tech talk and entrepreneurial insight, there was something intangible yet undeniable in the air—hope. The crowd wasn't just impressed—they were moved.
Whether it was final-year students rethinking their career paths, freshers discovering purpose beyond placements, or startup enthusiasts itching to ideate—the Power Talk shifted mindsets.
The E-Club’s initiative to bring in a speaker like Mr. Abhilash reflected their commitment to real learning. Not just lectures and theory, but stories that stick. It’s rare to witness an event where motivation meets roadmap, and ENEXT 2025 nailed that balance.
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| "AgriFi.AI Founder shares his journey at ENEXT 2025's Power Talk, inspiring the next generation of innovators." |
"You don't need a silver spoon to start; you need an iron will to continue." — Abhilash Thirupathy
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to PSG Tech, the E-Club Faculty Advisor, the Office Bearers, and the Volunteers who made this event a grand success.
Key Takeaways – Lessons that Echo Beyond the Event
First-Generation Entrepreneurs Redefine the Rulebook
Mr. Abhilash Thirupathy’s story underscored how first-generation entrepreneurs aren't just breaking barriers—they're rewriting narratives. With no safety net and few precedents to follow, they bring unmatched determination, hunger, and perspective to the startup ecosystem. Their journeys are not just business ventures but blueprints of courage.
Innovation in Agriculture is a Game-Changer for India and Beyond
Agriculture often gets overlooked in tech conversations, but it’s where disruption can make the most tangible impact. With AgriFi.AI, Mr. Abhilash showed how precision analytics, satellite imaging, and AI can transform how farming decisions are made, bridging the gap between rural realities and digital possibilities.
Failures Are Stepping Stones, Not Full Stops
From early-stage uncertainties to scaling challenges, his transparency about failure was refreshing. Each misstep became a pivot point, reinforcing that failing fast and learning faster is key to evolving in the startup space. It's not about avoiding setbacks—it's about responding with resilience.
Empathy is the Secret Ingredient in Tech Startups
It's easy to get consumed by data, code, and metrics, but startups that genuinely listen to users win in the long run. Mr. Abhilash’s approach of "building with farmers, not for them" emphasized the human-centered design mindset, reminding budding founders that user empathy often determines product-market fit more than any algorithm.
Authenticity Over Applause
In a world obsessed with picture-perfect success stories, his unfiltered talk stood out. It wasn’t a highlight reel—it was the full story, struggles and all. And that’s what made it powerful. The audience walked away feeling seen, heard, and inspired—not by perfection, but by persistence.
Leadership is Listening Before Speaking
True leaders, like Mr. Abhilash, begin by understanding ground realities. His journey exemplified that change begins when leaders step off the podium and into the field—when they observe, empathize, and iterate with humility.
Tech is a Tool, Purpose is the Driver
Whether it's AI, satellite tech, or machine learning, technology alone isn’t the magic. The clarity of why you’re building something drives the how. Mr. Abhilash’s purpose—to empower farmers and revolutionize agri-finance—served as his compass through every obstacle.
Conclusion – Turning Ideas into Impact
The Power Talk session by Mr. Abhilash Thirupathy at ENEXT 2025 was more than just a keynote—it was a call to action. It wasn’t just about AgriFi.AI or agritech—it was about courage, vision, and relentless execution. His journey became a mirror for every dreamer in the room, reflecting both the struggles they feared and the victories they hoped for.
Through his unvarnished truths and powerful anecdotes, Mr. Abhilash shattered the illusion that innovation is only for the privileged or well-funded. He proved that with clarity, consistency, and compassion, even the most grassroots-level problems can be tackled with tech.
More importantly, his story planted a seed in every listener’s mind—a seed of possibility. It challenged them to stop waiting for the perfect time, the ideal team, or the flawless idea. Because as he exemplified, transformation begins when one decides to start.
As the audience dispersed from the buzzing hall of PSG Tech, there was a shared energy—an unspoken commitment to not just dream, but to do. For many, this Power Talk wasn’t the end of an event; it was the beginning of a movement.
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