India's start-up ecosystem is thriving, with over 1.12 lakh DPIIT-recognised start-ups of which 111 are Unicorns, spread across 763 districts of the country. Despite challenges like funding and regulation, Indian start-ups contribute significantly to the economy, reflecting the nation's resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
Dell Technologies presents the Entrepreneur Challenge powered by CNBC-TV18 was conceived as a platform to encourage the start-up culture, towards promoting innovation and job creation, fostering economic growth, and, thus, playing a pivotal role in India's economic development.
The grand finale marked a significant milestone in India's entrepreneurial journey, showcasing the country's vibrant start-up ecosystem and the innovative solutions emerging from it. This event, aimed at empowering young and aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighted the crucial role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and fostering innovation. It brought together the top entrepreneurial ideas, selected after rigorous screening based on criteria such as innovation, resilience, technological adoption, and scalability.
The esteemed jury, comprising Siddarth Pai, Founding Partner & Chief Financial Officer ESG Officer, 3one4 Capital; Vargab Bakshi, Vice President & County Head - India, Wix.com; Kritika M, Senior Director,10,000 Startups, NASSCOM; Biren Ghose, Managing Director – Asia Pacific & Global Executive Committee Member, Technicolor Creative Studios; Sathyanarayana BV - Chief Executive Officer, DERBI Foundation (Dayanand Sagar Entrepreneurship Research & Business Incubation); Kavita Mehra Senior Director, General Management, India COE, Dell Technologies and Shruti Mishra, Deputy Editor, CNBC-TV18, faced the daunting task of evaluating these innovative solutions.
The entire journey established the importance of technology for sustainable growth and provided participants with opportunities to showcase their innovations, secure investments, and receive mentorship. After screening over 1,700 entries from across India, 200 contenders were selected by Ernst & Young, the event's process partner, for further evaluation. The top 11 entries then advanced to the finals, where they competed for the coveted title.
The finalists presented a diverse range of entrepreneurial ideas, addressing various challenges and opportunities across sectors. From ideas such as comprehensive relocation and learning solutions for the visually impaired to AI-powered agricultural analysers and cutting-edge medical innovations, these ventures showcased the breadth and depth of India's entrepreneurial talent.
A panel discussion on the start-up ecosystem in India highlighted the significant contributions of start-ups to GDP growth, employment generation, and inclusivity. Moderated by Shruti Mishra, Deputy Editor, CNBC-TV18, the panellists - Madan Padaki, President, TiE Bangalore; Shashi Kumar, Founder & CEO, Akshayakalpa Organic and Samriddhi Bhattacharyya, Country Head, Small Business Solutions, Dell Technologies - shared insights into emerging trends and opportunities in the sector, emphasising the transformative impact of entrepreneurship on society.
The event concluded with the announcement of the winners of Dell Technologies presents Entrepreneur Challenge powered by CNBC-TV18. Mohit Dadhich, Co-Founder of Nebulaa Innovations, emerged as the winner in the general category, while Pooja Venkatesh, Co-Founder of Next Big Innovation Labs Private Limited, won in the women's category.
Geetha Manjunath, CEO and Founder, Niramai Health Analytix and Jyotirmayee Dash, Founder, TeraLumen Solutions Pvt Ltd, the runners-up in the general and women’s categories, received recognition for their outstanding contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape. In addition to the main awards, a special Audience Choice Award was presented to Pooja Venkatesh, further endorsing popular admiration for her idea.
The grand finale of Dell Technologies presents Entrepreneur Challenge powered by CNBC-TV18 was a celebration of entrepreneurial excellence and innovation, reaffirming India's position as a global leader in the start-up ecosystem. As the nation continues to nurture and support its entrepreneurial talent, the future looks bright for innovation, growth, and prosperity.
(Edited by : Vrushali Sawant)
First Published: Mar 27, 2024 4:47 PM IST
