Wharton India Economic Forum Concludes. 10 Innovative Startups Featured

The Wharton India Economic Forum 2013, an annual student-run India-centric conference hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has become a unique platform where Wharton alumni and thought leaders from various fields gather to discuss opportunities present in India and challenges that need to be addressed. WIEF 2013 happened on 23 March in Philadelphia.WIEF 2013 had keynote speeches by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman, Planning Commission of India; Arvind Kejriwal, founder, Aam Aadmi Party; Shashi Reddi, founder & CEO, Applabs and Ron Somers, president, US-India Business Council. Topics ranging from private equity/venture capital, women empowerment, healthcare, finance, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and media & entertainment were discussed by eminent panelists. This confluence of thoughts and ideas from policy makers and businessmen provided unique insights into the current scenario and the way ahead for businesses to grow.

The also featured an event called Startup Pavillion that featured 10 most innovative startups founded by Wharton/Penn students and alumni in India. These startups highlight the contributions of the Wharton/Penn alumni towards the Indian economy. It also aims to underscore Wharton’s increasing support for entrepreneurship on campus and beyond, through programs such as the Venture Initiation Program, Wharton Business Plan Competition and Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program. The participating startups got a dedicated stall in the Pavilion to showcase their ventures at the event.

The 10 startups that were featured at the event are:

ARE 5 Apparel: ARE 5 Apparel creates apparel for the live concert EDM market. Psychedelic art is translated using specialty inks -- taking the concert experience to the next level.

Bandar Foods: Bandar Foods reimagines traditional Indian condiments to be used with everyday American Foods.

Caffeine Analytics: Provides customer analytics to online service providers.

Genossis: Genossis is an early stage medical device company that develops and commercializes orthopedic implants for fracture care for the benefit of patients.

HealthIndya: HealthIndya was established in 2013 as an effort to improve medical communications to the healthcare, medical community and patients.

Hootboard: Hootboard is an online community bulletin board, which can be used post buy/sell requests, jobs & gigs, apartments and housing availability, events, activity partner requests & more. Each post can be made visible to multiple communities that you choose & are a member of, or you can keep it private to a select community.

LSSPayroll: LSS Payroll offers small and medium enterprises with a fully integrated payroll and statutory compliance solution.

MobileLeads: MobileLeads is an innovative, cost-effective cloud based mobile solution to automate marketing/networking or business development activities.

Prapati: Prapati provides an effective, low-cost solution on the issue of critical power shortages in India.

SocioSquare: SocioSquare is a full service digital marketing agency.

Travspire: An online platform that allows travelers to discover and book very local and offbeat tavel experiences in India.

TrustCircle: TrustCircle is the world’s first social health network for patients/families members impacted by mental health issues and for physicians/organizations dedicated to solve the problem of mental health issues.

VenturePact: VenturePact is a technology focused startup incubator.

ZenKars: ZenKars sells the best priced used cars online.