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Local commerce platform Nukkad Shops emerged as the winner of the ‘Get in the Ring‘ challenge hosted by National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in Hyderabad.
Select Indian startup entrepreneurs got into a one-on-one pitch battle inside a boxing ring as a part of the Indian chapter of a global startup competition, ‘Get in the Ring‘ hosted by NASSCOM 10K startups. The international event which is targeted at innovative startups in India and abroad was co-hosted by DHI Labs, a German based Startup Incubator.
The winner, Nukkad Shops, has qualified to represent India at the Finals of the Get In the Ring.
Founded in April 2015 by Vivek Shukla, Kula Sekhar Reddy and Lipok Imsong, Nukkad Shops helps people access their neighbourhood shops through a mobile app, browse through the inventory, order and get goods delivered in 30 minutes.
Vivek Shukla, Founder at Nukkad Shops commented, “ Winning GITR will help Nukkad Shops in generating more exposure at a global platform towards the good work we have been doing for local retailer community. We are thankful to Nasscom 10000 startups for providing us this platform.”
Nukkad Shops provides retailer the opportunity to digitise their entire inventory and make it accessible for all their regular customers. Further, it allows the retailer to create specialised offers as well as enable loyalty programs.
‘Get in the Ring’ is a startup pitching model mimicking a boxing match which assesses the potential of a startup in quick five 30-second back-to-back duels between two competitors standing in a ring.
The challenge saw participation from 32 startups, both Indian and International.
Rajat Tandon, Vice President, NASSCOM 10K startup program, said “Platform like GITR is ideal for young entrepreneurs who are looking at getting an extended exposure to the startup community of other countries. It gives the startups visibility internationally which is useful for market access. Initiative like GITR will not only support current startups in India by facilitating them in scaling up their operations, but will also encourages more people to join the league”.
The first GITR challenge was organised last year, on the sidelines of the NASSCOM Product Conclave, where it became the official partner for the Get in The Ring Foundation in India. GITR is a non-profit organisation that helps startups avail existing opportunities, including capital requirement, expertise and talent acquisition. It has been hosted in more than 80 countries so far, providing startups a chance to connect with mentors, investors and corporates.
During five brief rounds startups presented their startup to a jury of champion investors, and an audience of potential investors and fans, in a competition that would result in a potential investment for the winner.
The reward for the winner includes a flight ticket to the international finals, credits from Amazon, Cameras and credits from Microsoft and funding pitch with Indian Angel Network for the semifinalists.
Prior to this in March 2016,Nukkad Shops raised $1 Mn (INR 6.7 Cr) in a funding round led by PurpleTalk Inc, a mobile solutions company.
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