Ready, Get-set, Start-up: Win $25K in the Wharton India Startup Competition
Calling all startups – Win cash prizes worth up to $25,000 at the Wharton India Startup Competition.
Celebrating India’s status as one of the top three global startup hubs, the 21st Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) will host a two-day event in January 2017 – starting with the Wharton India Startup Competition (WISC) and followed by a Speaker Series. WIEF is accepting entries from various start-ups from across the country who would like to be a part of this prestigious event.
Thanks in part to PM Modi’s Startup India program, start-up entrepreneurship is thriving in India. According to a 2015 NASCOM Report, “In terms of providing a conducive ecosystem for the startups to thrive, India has emerged as the fastest growing base of startups worldwide. India is one among the first five largest startup communities in the world with the number of startups crossing 4,200.”
Aman Jain, WIEF 2017 Chair shares, “What makes this year’s forum special is that, historically, it clocks in its 21st year of the conference. The Forum takes pride in being the first full-fledged US business school conference that will be conducted for the second time both in India and in the US. As a startup, what contestants will be looking forward to is a unique platform where academic research meets Indian entrepreneurship and leaders, providing a special opportunity to gain from the insights and perspectives of business leaders.”
WISC has been running for four years and is only gaining exposure and prestige with time. It has increased its outreach by 50% to all leading schools, Wharton alumni, incubators, accelerators and VC funds compared to last year.
If you’re a startup with a business idea or model featuring products and/or services targeting the Indian market, irrespective of whether you’re at Pre-seed, Seed or Early stage of growth – send in your entries!
The WIEF panel of experts including entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and investors will pre-screen the entries, where the select semi-finalists will get a 15-minute time slot to present their ideas to the judges (via teleconference) based on which finalists will be selected.
The finalists will pitch to top Indian entrepreneurs and venture capitalists on January 7, 2017 in Mumbai. The pitch will consist of a 5-minute presentation and a 3-minute Q&A session. You can look forward to eminent speakers such as Sandeep Singhal from Nexus Venture Partners and other leading venture capitalists as well.
For those of you who have aspired to be here and not got a chance to apply in the previous years, now is the time. WISC is a brilliant launch pad for startups looking for visibility and winning over $25,000 in cash prizes, 150 hours of free legal advice and up to four months of mentorship by industry leaders.
Start following WIEF on Facebook, Twitter and check out their website to know more. Use the hashtag #wiefstartup to spread the buzz and stay connected.
