In order to boost the government’s Startup India, Standup India movement, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has proposed for a reality show for Indian startups.
The idea came along the lines of Shark Tank – an American reality television series where aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world pitch their business models to a panel of investors.
In the desi (Indian) version, entrepreneurs will be grilled on their ideas pitched to the panel of judges. Also, the idea should be modelled on solving existing industry problems. As shared by a senior DIPP official to ET, an agency would be hired to scout for startups and investors to feature on the show. “Also, the winners will be provided with the funding,”he added.
Interestingly, there are plans to air the show on Doordarshan – one of India’s largest and the oldest broadcasting organisation, which has only a small share of the country’s viewership. Other details regarding amount of funding, judges to be invited, etc., is still under consideration
Also, a TV channel dedicated to startups is there in the offing, for which DIPP has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Earlier this month, a reality TV series – The Vault has also been launched for SME’s, student community, household and rural ventures, and startups at the incubation stage. At present, the show organisers are collecting startup applications and the show will go live in October.
Other Indian shows revolving around startups are TVF Pitchers, Hauslay Ki Udaan, IndianStartupShow, Baked, and ShaadiBoys.
A platform to pitch in front of a national audience will definitely grab the attention of many potential investors. Also, it will bring in focus the inherent problems in the various industries and adding in the skills of the workforce engaged, it will only drive the Skilled India, Startup India movement forward.
