TechSparks 2011 Endeavours to Spot the Emerging Stars of Technology Startup Space, 19th Aug, IIM Bangalore

The technology landscape is changing. The Indian tech startup space is a happening story that I last heard that even is discussed in places like the Harvard Business School. The startup space is unlike what it was last year. When we picked five TechSparks out of the fifteen pitches last year, it was watched as a novelty. The startup ecosystem professionals were eager to know. But now, there is a total transformation. So many promising companies are getting covered in the press.

As regards the technology itself, cloud computing and e-commerce have become the buzz words. The recent $1 billion valuation of Flipkart is heartening. Snapdeal’s $40 million fund is warming our hearts. The question now asked is: Has the Indian startup story come of age? With these kind of valuations, will it be just a hype or real? We sincerely want Flipkart and Snapdeal to succeed to change the Indian technology space for ever. The world needs to know we are capable of doing something big. Mobile internet is also likely to set in a new paradigm of technology business in as short as 5 years from now. With a 800 million mobile user base, there is pregnant air of optimism in India.

Come August 19, we at YourStory.in will be launching our second edition of TechSparks in a completely redesigned form that is consistent with the technology space today. The investor community and leading technology giants have shown us an overwhelming support. Technology startups have expressed their wish to be on our list of stars. Technology enthusiasts are just waiting for the day to arrive. CXOs are eagerly wanting to be there. Every technology ecosystem player is watching us keenly for the day.

What did we do special this year? We had four regional roundtables to begin with leading to the Grand Finale. The Delhi, Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad roundtables saw as many as 1000 entrepreneurs in all in attendance and awesome keynotes from Micromax founder, JustDial founder, BharatMatrimony founder, RedBus founder and QuickHeal founders. These technology companies have emerged stronger and have rewritten the rules of the game one way or the other. It was pure inspiration for all present to have listened to their success stories. Then the panel discussions involving entrepreneurs, investors, corporates on go-to-market strategy gave real takeaways for budding entrepreneurs as well as the startup entrepreneurs. We gave ample time for them to interact with the panel. We were just overwhelmed by the response.

On August 19, we have awesome keynotes. That’s for sure. Do take a look at our agenda page. You will just want to be there. Then a panel discussion involving heavyweights will provide fodder for your strategy on go to market. Real lessons can be learnt in this one hour discussion. You will have lunch for networking. Then, 20 pitches will roll one after the other. We will give truly a fabulous end to the day’s proceedings by identifying the top five TechSparks.

This apart, we are also bringing Tech30 Report, which itself is significant on many counts. With over 400 registrations for TechSparks 2011, the technology startup space is looking vibrant than ever. Will any startup scale and make it big is the question we constantly ask and that’s what investors, technology enthusiasts, incubators, and many others are eager to know. In our effort to identify the emerging stars, we select the 30 of them that show promise to emerge as a star or even a superstar in the coming years. This is a must-have report for you!

You will also witness the App4India pitches by the Top 10 mobile/netbook apps.

We hope you will not mind missing other to-do’s in your calendar and be with us. Register now.

–Venkatesh Krishnamoorthy, chief evangelist