Pune has long
been seen as a good place for startups to get ready to hit the world, and the
marketplace. There is a huge range of businesses young entrepreneurs are
venturing into and this city offers the right kind of eco-system for those
bright ideas to flourish. There is a readily available talent pool, a wide
variety of resources, and then there is the thriving software industry for
support. So much so, that research says there are some 322 startups in the
city! (Source – Inc.). If yours is one of the startups among this number but waiting
for the right push to explode onto the scene here is an opportunity not to be
missed - Pune Connect 2016. A platform to bring together new businesses with
industry professionals and other associates, this is the most sought after
event to make a mark for yourself. Pune Connect is organized by the Software
Exporters Association of Pune (SEAP) and Pune Tech and is now in its sixth
year. The gathering brings together investors, potential customers, partners,
and mentors for an interaction with budding entrepreneurs. Thus, at the same
time it gives a great chance to startups to directly interact with industry
stalwarts and expose their potential to venture capitalists and angel
investors.
Since the event
is all about displaying the best, startups need to go through a rigorous selection
process to be selected as the top participants. Here are some figures to depict
the true picture - in 2014, of the 150 total entries received only 36 startups
were selected. The challenge got more harder when last year, of the 180
participants only 27 could make it to the final list. The numbers just go on to
show the stiff competition startups face to be eventually identified as the
most promising ones. The chosen ones are privileged to have access to a lot of
new information, networking with the core industry people, exclusive sessions
with venture capitalists, just to name a few benefits. They even get to exhibit
free of charge at the event. Also, the startups could score a mention in the print
media and social media coverage before and after the event. That is a lot of
exposure for a startup which is only beginning its foray into the real world.
The showcase,
this year, is scheduled for the month of November. While that seems like far enough
away, however, if you are keen to make the cut, the application process needs
to start right now. Remember to spend time over the application as getting
through to the finals is tough. Yet all the hard work does pay off. Hence, it
would be worth starting with the application process to complete the entire
procedure well in time. The last date for accepting nominations for this year
is 8th October 2016. To begin with, you can log on to the Pune Connect website
at www.puneconnect.com and register yourself as a startup. You will receive an
email with your username and a temporary password. The website will then further
guide you to the selection criteria and procedures.
So if you have a
product or technology startup or a startup with a dazzling idea that has
started seeing light of day, this is the chance to gain recognition as one
among the best. See you ate PuneConect 2016!
