Indian innovation in technology is the world’s largest startup ecosystem with 61,000 plus startups and on a rapid growth trajectory, according to Dr. Aman Puri, Consul-General of India in Dubai.
Dr. Puri said: “Amid Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 was an exceptional year that saw a rise of over 40 unicorns. The UAE is a global hub for entrepreneurs and global businesses, and with its futuristic vision has emerged as a prominent proponent of innovation and talent. With about 3.3 million Indians in the UAE who are deeply committed to the growth and development of the UAE, India and the UAE stand as natural partners to co-create unicorns, soonicorns in both the countries and contribute to the capacity of the world in impacting the lives of millions of people positively.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called this decade the ‘techade of India’. A dedicated ‘National Startup Day’ was recently announced to celebrate and acknowledge the startup landscape in India.
The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai with its India Innovation hub initiative has been instrumental in strengthening the Indian startup ecosystem and facilitating Indian startups to network with their global counterparts. Elevate pitching series organized by the India Innovation hub provides an opportunity for these startups to access investors, venture capitalists, and financial institutions in the UAE and expand their businesses.
“We are associating with key stakeholders in propelling the innovation drive within the UAE such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, and TiE Dubai to facilitate innovators and investments to forge successful partnerships. India Innovation Hub’s joint initiative with DSO supported by EaseMyTrip and HSBC will bring in some of India’s best innovators and startups during Expo 2020 Dubai,” added Dr. Puri.
Recently, the India-UAE VC Fund of $150 million was also launched at the India Pavilion with the purpose to support and develop early-stage startups in India and the UAE into viable global ventures and make them attain the unicorn level.
Fourteen startups across diverse sectors presented a range of top-notch innovative business ideas to global investors at the eighth edition of the ‘Elevate’ series held recently. Founders of these startups showcased their scalable business solutions across key sectors including healthcare, medical devices, agriculture, MedTech, and life sciences, and made a strong pitch at the popular pitching series.
The event was attended by Dr. Aman Puri, Consul-General of India in Dubai and Deputy Commissioner General of India at Expo 2020 Dubai along with leading investors including Neelesh Bhatnagar, managing director, NB Ventures, Prashant K. Gulati, President, TiE Dubai, Kamal Vachani, group director, Al Maya Group, Suresh B Kapadia, CEO, Arkin Ventures, Neelivethil Rajeev, MD (ME & SAARC), ESPA Group and Sanjit Advani, vice-president Operations at Blossom Trading.
Vachani said: “India is committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial wave which has paved huge disruption among key sectors and this was evident at ‘Elevate’ series. We witnessed some interesting startup pitches which are promising and require the right funding and mentoring.”
This pitching series is one of the main initiatives of the India pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai where the best startup offers are showcased to a global audience and with the 8th Elevate session, 130 ideas were given the opportunity to promote their insights. hence, this initiative aims to display innovative solutions created by the chosen startups and attract B2B connections.
