For investors, accelerators and mentors in the StartUp eco-system, there are some wonderful companies emerging that use the power of the internet combined with a well-researched market opportunity that would be truly worthy of support
In every challenge lies an opportunity. Ever since doubts started to be raised on the valuations of e-Commerce, companies like Flipkart and Snapdeal and stories started to abound of hundreds of e-Commerce and other B2C startups beginning to fold up-the opportunities for entrepreneurial companies built to serve a real or latent need in the country and the world-for investors, accelerators and mentors in the startup eco-system, there are some wonderful companies emerging, that use the power of the internet combined with a well-researched market opportunity that would be truly worthy of support.
Three examples will make this clear. The oldest is Studio Coppre, a wonderful initiative that seeks to enhance the work of copper artisans in the country and expand their business opportunity to national and international markets. Here is a company that started as a social enterprise committed to helping a few copper artisans in Tambatali in Pune by providing them some mentoring and some low cost automation support. The induction of professional designers with an eye for internal design and marketers well versed with the art of leveraging social networks is ensuring that Studio Coppre is a profitable entity today with an artisan network of over a hundred. Expanding their artisan and market coverage and extending their reach to other artisan communities presents a significant opportunity which they will address in future.
Skills Alpha is another example of a latent need being served. Skills Alpha uses the power of new technology to shift the responsibility of career planning and learning from the HR department to the millennial. Learners are encouraged to go on a voyage of discovery on their computers or mobile phones, understand alternative career paths within the organisation and the skills gap they have to bridge to meet the goals they set for themselves. And a host of new digital technologies – Smart Bots, Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Computing and Adaptive Learning to power their educational journey and makes it entertaining and enlightening.
Finally, there is an amazing new startup that can not only change our understanding of one of the most ignored facets of our learning but also make a significant contribution to the quest for jobs in the country. Live History India (LHI) is a first of its kind digital multimedia platform that is creating exciting content on India’s rich heritage and history and developing a platform to bring together the finest minds including historians and policy makers in the area of tourism and culture. It will also create and develop a network of key stakeholders who will help take Live History India mission into every district of the country-help people understand the stories and histories that make India, through innovative, in-depth multimedia content and expert views. The company set up by veterans in the digital technology and new age content space will be a first of its kind platform and create a community of India enthusiasts. This will play a vital role in developing India’s tourism and LHI will help local national and global audiences rediscover and reconnect with India’s history and culture.
“Clearly, there is a need to enable startups of this ilk to be heard, get funded and scale, if India is to successfully meet its tryst with a ‘‘Startup India, Stand up India’’ destiny”
Studio Coppre, Skills Alpha and Live History India are three completely different initiatives but they have three common factors-the management team consists of experienced professionals, not “wet behind the ears” startup enthusiasts. All three use commonly available technology uncommonly well and finally they have thought through their path to profitability and are raising adequate funding to ensure their mission is accomplished without any short cuts.
Clearly, there is a need to enable startups of this ilk to be heard, get funded and scale, if India is to successfully meet its tryst with a “Startup India, Stand up India” destiny. Two recent developments give hope that the wheels of fortunes can be changed for the better. One is the setting up of a company called Zeva Capsol in Mumbai with four complementary offerings – a series of incubators, with a cloud based accelerator, a crowd sourcing funding platform for first time investors to participate in startup funding, a fund to co-invest in the platform and a well-orchestrated mentoring and corporate partnership platform to enable the entrepreneurs to scale. Set up by experienced investment bankers with global experience, this could be the kind of entity that needs to emerge in future.
And right here in our backyard of Pune, a mini revolution is beginning to take shape. The Pune Smart City will soon see a unique citywide Smart Startup movement that enables entrepreneurs, mentors, hosting platforms and investors to collaborate to create an eco-system of success. Guided by an advisory team and embodying the best of public private partnerships, we believe that this meta incubator will enable multiple startups in FinTech EduTech, HealthTech, manufacturing and scientific research to blossom and make a true impact on the city and the country. The best is clearly yet two come!
by Ganesh Natarajan
