Startup Dosti is a first and one of a kind platform for early age startups in India and Pakistan introduced by Indian Angel Network (IAN) - which is India's largest angel funding group in association with Karachi-London based SEED Ventures and the Washington DC based Atlantic Council. The program will help startups & entrepreneurs from both the countries to exchange markets, ideas, expertise and mentor-ship.
Each entrepreneurs/startups who take part in program will receive individually tailored, cross-border mentor-ship from experienced experts, successful entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders in both India and Pakistan, as well as the opportunity to earn seed funding, free incubation for 3 to 6 months in both countries, and access to a unique network of entrepreneurs to help execute their business idea.
[cp_quote style="quote_right_dark"]The business plan competition is open to early-stage startups based in India and Pakistan. Concept stage startups who are planning to start within 3-months of applying can also apply.[/cp_quote]
The applications for business plan competition will open from August 15, 2013 the day when India celebrates its Independence, the program will however kick-off from July onwards keeping in mind the complexities in getting visas and travelling to each others' countries especially when it comes to India-Pakistan.
The finale will than be organized in late 2013 in Thailand, again probably because of visa hurdles, the finals will invite top 8 to 10 business plan from each country and invite the respective entrepreneurs in person in Thailand and again possibly in Washington, DC for a dynamic follow-up dialogue and mentor-ship session in 2014.
The final round of the competition will feature business plan pitches to a panel of experienced investors from both countries and the diaspora. The pitches, mentoring, and follow–up sessions will all be produce a dynamic television series, in partnership with GEO TV in Pakistan and major media partners in India. The TV program will air in 2014 which GEO TV in Pakistan and Indian TV media partner is yet to be decided.
The supporting organization includes India's major accelerator and incubation centres such as - The Startup Centre (Chennai), Startup Village (Kochi), 91 Springboard (New Delhi) and Centre of Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship – IIM (Ahmedabad)
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