In a bid to jump start seed funding and capital for entrepreneurs, Gujarat government supported incubation institute iCreate is looking to engage start-ups with venture capital (VC) players for the first time at its annual event WhatNext 2015.
An Ahmedabad-based not-for-profit institute, iCreate was set up as public-private partnership, to encourage and support next generation entrepreneurs leveraging innovation and technology to create rapidly scalable businesses for local/ global markets. Launched by Narendra Modi as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, iCreate is guided by an advisory board consisting of highly eminent personalities led by N R Narayana Murthy.
WhatNext is the flagship annual event organized by iCreate to provide a platform for participants to holistically explore trends in emerging technologies, engage with successful entrepreneurs and experts, interact with investors, and network.
In its second edition this year, for the first time the event will see participation from VC firms such as Acumen PE Fund, Kalaari Capital Advisors, Mumbai Angels, Ryerson Futures and GVFL Limited. To be connected with the VC firms through one-on-one meetings, WhatNext has seen applications from 10-12 start-ups for the same.
"This is for the first time we will have VCs participating in our flagship event. This will increase the prospects for seed funding to the start-ups," said Madhu Mehta, chief mentor, iCreate.
The theme of this year's WhatNext - 2015 event is 'The Journey - Converting Ideas into Wealth' for opportunities in the realm of 12 empowering technologies relevant to India as identified by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI).
The event will feature sessions from global technology experts and academicians such as Israel-based academic and practitioner Dr Harry Yuklea, Prof Oded Shoseyov from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Sunil Parekh, founding curator and GSI at World Economic Forum (WEF) in Geneva, among others.
The event will also see coverage of topics ranging from nano biomimetics, ICT, nano technology, payment technology, renewable energy, etc.
"As more and more economies recognize the benefits of shifting paradigm towards entrepreneurship and innovation, the real question is what are the optimal technologies and funding instruments that leverage existing resources and local talent. whatnext 2015 is structured around these important questions. We are convinced that the contribution of the world class speakers, mentors and sponsors we were able to bring will trigger a real impact on the formation of entrepreneurial capital in India," said Dr. Harry Yuklea, Academic & Practitioner, Technion University , Israel and the Conference Convenor for WhatNext 2015.
