HSNC University Highlights Mumbai’s Invisible Economy And Empowers Street Vendors Through 25-Day Experiential Learning Challenge

In April 2024, something remarkable unfolded at the Worli campus of HSNC University, Mumbai.

In a one-of-its-kind initiative, the campus quadrangle transformed into a dynamic stage where streetpreneurs and ideas born in the hustle of daily life found their spotlight. Streetpreneurship 2024 wasn’t just an event—it was a vibrant celebration of resilience, raw creativity and community-powered innovation. Today, a year later, we are not just reminiscing, we are revisiting the roots of a movement that continues to grow.

One year on, Col. Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla, Vice Chancellor, HSNC University and Director, Niranjan Hiranandani School of Management & Real Estate (NHSMRE), offered an  exclusive behind-the-scenes reflection of the trail-blazing initiative which was shaped through months of brainstorming, thoughtful planning and fine-tuning.

“Street vendors are the backbone of our economy, yet their contributions often go unnoticed. By inviting them to our campus, we tried to empower them with knowledge and skills that can help them grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods. From these informal interactions, our students developed concrete initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between formal education and street-level business realities. This was also an informal ‘Wisdom Exchange’ with informal mentorship sessions where students shared trends and tools, while vendors shared street-smart selling insights.” Dr. Bagla explained. 

“Start-ups are receiving a boost nationally and the new National Education Policy (NEP) also puts emphasis on setting up innovation and incubation centers in higher education institutions across the country. Our University students took it up a notch higher with the conception, launch and successful execution of this 25-day Streetpreneurship Challenge,” Dr. Bagla affirmed.

“Our goal was to create an immersive learning experience for our students while also supporting local street vendors. The success of the Streetpreneur Challenge has far exceeded our expectations, proving the incredible power of community engagement and collaboration,” Dr. Bagla avered.

Dr. Bagla likened the initiative to the visit by Harvard Business School students over a decade ago. They came to Mumbai to study the supply-chain and logistics of the Dabbawalas—lunchbox delivery men renowned for their efficiency. Despite having no formal business education, the Dabbawalas operate with such precision that they hold a Six Sigma rating of 99.99%—meaning fewer than one in six million deliveries goes wrong. 

The event centered around empowering Mumbai’s street vendors and fostering collaboration between them and the students. Through this unique initiative, students actively engaged with street vendors, not just as helpers but also as eager learners. The event served as a symbiotic learning experience, where students gained insights into the challenges faced by street vendors while vendors in turn, shared their entrepreneurial skills. With a focus on practical, real-world solutions, ‘Streetpreneurship Challenge’ attempted to catalyse growth for the street vendors, turning the bustling streets of Mumbai into a vibrant marketplace of ideas and opportunities.

Since that day, several of the featured “streetpreneurs” have taken their ideas far beyond the pavement. Their stories are powerful reminders of what happens when local talent gets the platform it deserves.

Streetpreneur Challenge was a three-phase 25-day challenge designed to accelerate the growth of local street vendors through strategic collaboration with HSNC University students. 20 teams comprising six students each ‘adopted’ 20 different street vendors for 25 days and navigated the problems faced by them. The focus was on quick, impactful interventions to enhance visibility, operational efficiency, problem solving and community support. Phase 1 involved students adopting, shadowing and observing local street vendors to deeply understand the challenges and creativity of street vendors. The aim was to increase sales and enhance profitability for these street vendors by leveraging student-led insights, innovative marketing strategies and community-driven engagement. Phase 2 brought these insights to life with a one-day StreetFlea event on campus, where these vendors set up stalls. The journey culminated in Phase 3 with a final presentation, where 20 teams vying for the top spot, showcased their learnings, innovations and scalable ideas to a panel of mentors and experts. 

In the buzzing urban sprawl of Mumbai, where luxury high-rises tower over tangled alleyways and neon-lit malls cast their glow onto roadside stalls, an often-overlooked economy thrives—street entrepreneurship. This dynamic system, built on grit, adaptability and sheer human spirit, reflects the core principles of a free market economy: open access, competitive diversity and decentralised participation.

 A case in point: Rajesh Gupta & the marketplace for aspirations

Rajesh Gupta sells multi-purpose home utility products and time-saving kitchen gadgets near Crawford Market. He carefully arranges his goods under the harsh mid-day sun. Sweat beads his brow, but his spirit is unshaken. His stall, modest yet meticulously curated, sits opposite a high-end branded store—an unlikely juxtaposition that mirrors Mumbai’s own contradictions. 

Guptaji doesn’t just sell utility products. He sells affordability, accessibility and an experience of choice. He effortlessly pulls in customers with an extraordinary charm. He has a welcoming demeanour, friendly smile and a wit to match. He explains to a customer that his products come straight from manufacturers who value people like them. His business model may lack formal funding or marketing campaigns, but it is rooted in trust, consistency and grassroots knowledge of supply chains and consumer behaviour. 

On a slow evening, a student team approached Guptaji with a simple request—to shadow him for a day. Moved by their keen enthusiasm, he agreed without hesitation. He opened up to students about the art of pricing, the psychology of customers and negotiation tactics. He has never gone to college but he learned all this through trial and error, guided by instinct and honed by hustle. 

When asked why he hadn’t formally registered his business, Guptaji candidly replied, “Bribing is cheaper than the official paperwork and compliance.” It was a blunt, honest reflection of the hurdles small traders face in navigating regulations. 

His success has inspired others around him—vendors who now see the footpath not as a constraint but as a canvas for enterprise. Soon, more stalls appear, more hands trade and the street pulses with renewed entrepreneurial life. The majority are immigrants from regional States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Gujarat & Rajasthan. 

Against this backdrop of this bustling economy, HSNC University students embarked on an unconventional journey. The idea was to dissolve the boundaries between classroom theory and real-world entrepreneurship by directly engaging with street vendors.

Business education is all too often limited to textbooks and air-conditioned classrooms. This initiative aimed to break that mould—encouraging students to step into the real world, engage in dialogue, collaborate and learn alongside Mumbai’s vibrant community of informal street entrepreneurs.

While observing and working with vendors across markets like Colaba Causeway, Chor Bazaar, Andheri, Bandra and Dadar, students began to grasp the intricacies of pricing, supply chains, customer engagement, persuasion, market demand dynamics, customer satisfaction and adaptability—lessons rarely taught but deeply felt. 

A student, moved by their resilience, noted, “Why does society fail to recognise their determination? These aren’t just vendors—they’re creators, risk-takers, innovators and masters of jugaad.” That student, along with others, has since taken on the task of documenting these stories, amplifying their voices through interviews, photography & social media, bridging a psychological and cultural gap that academia has long overlooked.

“I never realised how much hard work goes into running a street vending business until I met these vendors. Their stories are inspiring I’ve learned so much from them,” said Diya Ahuja, a wannabe entrepreneur from HSNC University.

Dharti Patel, who moved from Bangalore to study MBA at HSNC University, recalled a street vendor telling her, “I don’t need a big shop to feel successful—just enough to feed my family and sleep in peace.” Reflecting on the moment, she said, “That taught us what no textbook ever could—sometimes, enough is everything.”

In April 2024, at the end of the 25-day challenge, the campus hosted StreetFlea -a vibrant, open-air flea-market where these street vendors came together to pitch their ventures in front of a live audience. It was more than a showcase; it was a stage for unrecognised genius—the kind that powers communities from the ground up.

For instance, the flea had a unique chaat stall offering 8 panipuris (water balls) per plate with 8 different flavours of water for just Rs 40, while offering stuffing variations (aloo, sprouts, cheese-corn, spicy chana-boondi) and creating a fun, value-packed taste experience. The stall upsold by selling extra sweet & tangy pani-shots as a drink at Rs 20 and added mini portions of dahi-puri, bhel or masala soda for Rs 40 more.  

The student team which worked with the chaat vendor focused on loss-leader/ bait pricing and used vibrant branding, clever upselling techniques, street-level buzz and social media to attract food lovers and build a loyal following. The stall also experimented with unique fusion chaat items such as panipuri with nachos & tacos to catch the attention of adventurous eaters.

To improve hygiene perception, students introduced disposable gloves, tissue packs and colourful signage with a “Hygiene First” slogan. Their efforts not only boosted customer trust and repeat visits—especially among health-conscious youth—but also led to the innovative idea of a sleek, multi-layered, spill-proof, eco-friendly panipuri takeaway box, tailored for high-rise urban living.With bulk discounts, chilled pani compartments and easy assembly, it brought the joy of street-style indulgence straight to skyscraper doors.

Another example is that of Tai Chinese, a Pan-Asian food stall run by a mother-daughter duo which underwent a student-led transformation. They have perfected their recipes over the years and their secret blend of spices is what keeps people coming back for more. The student team introduced a new name, redesigned the menu and created a strong visual identity that drew in more customers. To spice things up further, they introduced an exciting spicy challenge. To better connect with college students, they added affordable combo meals and implemented a QR-based ordering system, making the experience quicker, smarter and more appealing. There was emphasis on spice customisation – mild, medium & Tai-level spicy! They even introduced DIY combos – build your wok by choosing your own (base + sauce + protein/veg) = fun + personalized experience. They  also introduced a “Tai Trials” tasting tray—mini portions of 3 dishes with sealed disposable cutlery for first-timers. The staff wore branded aprons, gloves and hair caps to enhance perception of hygiene and quality. They sought customer feedback using QR codes on boxes linking to Google Forms or a fun emoji-based survey.

During the StreetFlea event, Dr. Bagla’s active participation and insightful questions added immense value, showcasing her dedication to fostering meaningful connections and driving impactful change. Her presence underscored the importance of collaboration and community engagement in addressing societal issues.

“StreetFlea demonstrated the powerful synergy between hands-on entrepreneurship and academic knowledge. This initiative offered our students a rare experiential learning opportunity, while also highlighting the resilience and business savvy of local street vendors. The impressive sales made in just two hours highlight the significant impact such collaborations can have in supporting micro-enterprises and driving economic growth,” Dr. Bagla revealed.

“In order to make the StreetFlea more interesting and increase the footfall, we had lemon race, flashmob dance and arcade games (such as Pyramid Toss, Ring a Bottle, Balloon Pop, Hook a Duck, Tin Can Alley, Play Your Cards Right, Darts and Hoopla) ,” Krish Budhwani said.

Another student Pallavi Gupta shared with a grin, “Behind the scenes of the StreetFlea event was a wild mix of organised chaos, creative madness and caffeine-fuelled teamwork. From last-minute banner fixes to midnight brainstorming sessions, we were juggling ideas and coffee cups like pros. Sure, there were frayed nerves and rising tempers, but it was all part of the fun. The real magic happened during those intense 25 days—that’s where friendships were forged, skills sharpened and memories made!”

From Campus to Cart: Students Lending a Hand 

1) Create a memorable brand:

Student teams invested in eye-catching signage, fun branding and catchy slogans that reflect the unique vibe of  the respective stalls. 

2) Digital uplift:

Students helped these vendors launch Instagram, YouTube and Meta accounts (along with usage of popular local hastags) to promote their businesses, boosting their digital outreach and reaching new audiences. Similarly, they were taught how to use contact-less QR code digital transactions. 

3) Customer Engagement:

Student teams hosted contests/ challenges and encouraged customers to share their creations or experiences on social media. They also partnered with bloggers/ influencers for promotions or reviews while also offering free samples or discount coupons to customers who visited after reading a review or seeing a post. 

4) Breaking barriers:

The student teams also shared the success stories. In sharing these stories of success, they softened the divide between the polished world of the elite and the gritty resilience of street vendors—something that’s usually missing in classrooms. 

5) Feedback loop & Improvements:

Student teams actively seek feedback from customers to improve your offering. Use feedback forms, social media polls, or just a simple conversation at the stall to understand what customers like and what can be improved. 

Why this matters:

This initiative was more than just a study of alternative economies. It was a sociological intervention—an effort to connect the formal and informal, the privileged and the peripheral, the theory-rich and the experience-deep. Street vending offers a platform where individuals—primarily from the lower socio-economic strata—can enter and engage in trade without the need for institutional capital, expensive retail spaces or the burdens of bureaucratic red tape. 

Despite municipal raids, confiscation of merchandise by authorities, illegal hafta collection rackets, policy neglect, non-availability of formal lines of credit, inadequate social protection, long working hours and the looming threat of eviction, street entrepreneurs persist. They cater not only to the economically conscious but also to the elite in search of value, authenticity, or novelty. Their presence bridges social divides in subtle but powerful ways, creating shared spaces of exchange and interaction in an otherwise stratified city. Despite their informal setup, these street vendors who operate without venture capital or enterprise software, carry a quiet confidence and mastery that rivals any MBA graduate. 

In a world that increasingly prizes innovation and agility, perhaps it’s time we look beyond boardrooms and business schools. Maybe the future of entrepreneurship isn’t just in start-ups and unicorns—but in the humble brilliance of those who set up shop with nothing but a dream, a few square feet of pavement and the will to survive.

As per government estimates, street-vending accounts for 14% of the total urban informal employment there are around 10 million street vendors in India.  Street entrepreneurship, by its very nature, is inclusive. Overall, with more focus on registration of vendors, using digital transactions, first time access to formal banking channel, change in citizen behaviour towards digital money, the future of the business by hawkers is undergoing sea change. Going forward, for innovators and entrepreneurs, this is a new business model which needs to be established, myths to be broken and promises to be achieved. After all the opportunity with 10 million street vendors in India can by no means be a small-scale business.