TechSparks™, India's biggest product tech startup event, comes to Pune

After the massive success of the Delhi edition, TechSparks moves to Pune to engage with high-potential tech startups in the domains of cloud computing, mobile VAS & web 2.0

After a wildly successful run in the Delhi Regional Round Table, TechSparks™ 2011, the product tech startup showcase event conducted by India’s leading entrepreneurship platform YourStory, has initiated the next RoundTable in Pune.

TechSparks™ is a multi-city series of events designed to turn the spotlight on India’s finest product technology startups. It may be recalled that the previous edition, TechSparks™ 2010, was referred to as “India’s biggest product technology startup showcase” by a number of media outlets, with entries from more than 200 product tech startups across the country.

TechSparks™ 2011, a YourStory flagship event, is being presented by the online entrepreneurship platform in association with Google, IBM, Amazon Web Services and Sequoia Capital. Entries are currently being accepted for TechSparks™ 2011 and will be evaluated by a panel of experts. The top 20 startups, thus selected, will be showcased in the grand finale, scheduled to happen in August in Bangalore.

Startups registering for TechSparks™ will also receive invites to the by-invitation-only TechSparks™ Regional RoundTables (RRTs), a city-centric mini-event designed for entrepreneurs (established and budding) to network with VCs, corporates and other players in the startup ecosystem.

The first RRT happened at IIT Delhi on the 7th of May 2011 and was a resounding success. This was also one of India’s trending topics on Twitter, on Saturday, the 7^th of May (#tsparks).

The second RRT is in Pune on June 11, 2011 followed by RRTs in Chennai (June 25^th 2011) and Hyderabad (July 9^th 2011).

So, why TechSparks?

Speaking about TechSparks 2011, Shradha Sharma, founder of YourStory, said "Traditionally, everyone believes that India doesn't have any product tech startups. But there are some great companies out there, doing some really innovative work. But they have trouble getting out of the proverbial garage and getting into the market. That's what TechSparks 2011 is all about - getting product tech startups access to meaningful opportunities."

The TechSparks Pune Regional RoundTable (RRT) will be characterized by three focussed activities – Keynote Speeches where successful product tech entrepreneurs will speak about their journey to the market and how they dealt with challenges along their way, a Panel Discussion featuring key stakeholders in the startup ecosystem and an Open House where entrepreneurs, for the first time, will be given the opportunity to ask any question to any panelist and engage in meaningful discussions and not just be a spectator.

The idea is to have an absolutely open interaction over the topic of discussion, which will be – ‘Out of the Garage, Into the Market.’ Through the collective might of a speakers list full of ‘rockstars’, the TechSparks Regional RoundTable intends to support startups by helping them kickstart their product’s journey. In short, the RoundTable intends to help startups get their products ‘out of the garage and into the market.

Pune

TechSparks Regional RoundTables ‘Out of the Garage, Into the Market’

Date

Saturday, 11^th June

Venue

Dewang Mehta Auditorium, Persistent Systems,402, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411016

Agenda

2 pm to 2 50 pm – Registrations over Coffee, Networking

3 pm to 4.10pm – Keynote Speeches

How to dial the right number with The “JustDial” Story by Founder, VSS Mani

How to build a Global product enteprise with the “QuickHeal Technologies” Story by Founder Kailash Katkar and CTO, Sanjay Katkar

4.15pm to 4.45 pm- Cloud Workshop

Cloud for Startups by Janakiram MSV, Technology Evangelist, India, Amazon Web Services

4.45 pm to 5.45 pm- Panel Discussion – Go to Market for Startups

Probir Roy, Co Founder, Paymate

Vimalraj Abrahman, IBM,Strategy and Marketing, ISV and Developers Relations, India

Shailesh Lakhani, Sequoia Capital

Kris Nair, Opdrage Venture Partners

Shradha Sharma, Founder, YourStory

5.45 pm to 6.30 pm – Open House (Q&A)

6.30 pm - Networking Over Snacks

It looks like exciting times are here for product tech startups. To get access to genuine support, substantive networking opportunities and eventually, national recognition, register your product tech startup for TechSparks™ 2011 by clicking here.

About YourStory

YourStory is India's first comprehensive online platform for entrepreneurs. Launched in 2008, YourStory is the Official Online Partner of CNBC TV18’s Young Turks programme. Over the years, it has emerged as the most followed web platform for entrepreneurs and startups, having cemented robust partnerships with British Council, NASSCOM and Microsoft Bizpark, to name a few.

Widely trusted, YourStory connects with over 4 lakh entrepreneurs and allied industry professionals on a monthly basis. YourStory has built brand properties with events like TechSparks™ (for product tech entrepreneurs) and Most Popular Entrepreneur Challenge (a bottoms-up approach of evaluating entrepreneurs). Here, we have a singular passion – to tell the world your story. Check out our website here: http://yourstory.in/