Google is adamant on making it rain IPOs because of the billions of dollars in funding being pumped into the Indian start-up ecosystem. With big names like Zomato, PayTM, Mobikwik, PolicyBazaar, CarTrade and Nykaa headed for IPO at rapid speed, Google cannot afford to miss the chance at offering up their products and services to them. 

Tech giants like Amazon, Facebook and Google have long been actively supporting start-ups in India, taking the cue from the Indian Government’s efforts to bolster the start-up community. Getting help from these tech giants is invaluable because your success rate shoots up. The technology stack and services from tech giants like Google are unparalleled. Start-ups shouldn’t miss the opportunity to apply for support programmes by these big tech firms. 

Google Cloud’s interest for IPO bound start-ups

Google Cloud is interested in IPO bound start-ups and the Indian start-up ecosystem as a whole for two key reasons. One, the capital inflow into the ecosystem is set to touch a high of $19-$23 B by the end of 2021. Two, Google Cloud wants to further bolster the growth of these already-growing start-ups by empowering them with cutting-edge Cloud technology. 

Google Cloud is providing specially designed programmes for start-ups across various growth stages as well as for unicorns and IPO-bound start-ups. Through these programmes, they are providing training, zero credits, mentoring sessions and giving them the opportunity to work with specialists. As start-ups grow and progress towards becoming unicorns, Google Cloud helps tackle their larger problems by making them shift from providing an engagement model to offering solutions. 

How Google Cloud is empowering start-ups and unicorns

Google Cloud is empowering start-ups and unicorns in India by helping them grow the number of monthly active users on their platform. By leveraging Google’s Cloud technology, these start-ups and unicorns are being empowered to achieve key milestones along their growth trajectory. 

Prominent start-ups using Google Cloud infrastructure

Well-known start-ups and unicorns in India using Google Cloud’s infrastructure include Glance (Artificial Intelligence (AI) – based software company), ShareChat (consumer tech unicorn), Rapido (automobile start-up) and Dailyhunt (consumer tech). 

How Google Cloud works with start-ups

Google Cloud works with start-ups by first offering them with cloud solutions and then giving them access to ‘ALL of Google’. What this means is that the start-up will grow with Google. The start-up’s products will also be added to Google Maps. Google will also help with Google Ads integration. 

The public sector organisations in India are yet mired in their archaic working methods and operations thereby, hindering them to match up with the fast-paced technology advanced world. 

With India wearing the crown of the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, more number of startups with its innovative technology solutions can eliminate the bottlenecks in the public sector space that have existed for long. The solutions provided by the startups can empower the entities working under central and state governments towards self-reliance. 

But hurdles appear for an early-stage startup to whom investors might deny funding due to being apprehensive about the idea’s success, which in turn discourages startups wanting to serve the public sector space.

Realising these challenges, Amazon Web Services has (AWS) announced the launch of the AWS Public Sector Startup Ramp in India- a new programme designed to aid technology startups to build solutions for the public sector using its platform.

What is Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector Startup Ramp?

The AWS Public Sector Startup Ramp is an accelerator programme designed for startups focused on building innovative solutions for public sector customers worldwide and not just limited to customers of national and local government, space and defense, and healthcare. 

This accelerator programme is based on AWS EdStart, which works with edtech focused startups, and AWS GovTechStart, a US-based program that backs commercial technology companies serving state and local governments.

As the number of start-ups in the Indian start-up ecosystem grows exponentially, many are unable to get access to industry leading mentorship and resources. Such start-ups struggle to make an impact, despite harbouring sustainable and robust ideas. Accelerator programmes are platforms that propel start-ups forward with the much-needed guidance and support that acts like the backbone in their growth. 

What is this programme?

BITS Pilani’s programme extends help to Indian start-ups to break into the entrepreneurial world which is currently riddled with a number of challenges. It’s a programme that’s working to boost the Indian start-up ecosystem as well as the market for lucrative start-ups that are getting government recognition. 

What is Conquest?

Conquest is an initiative by BITS Pilani with its 17th chapter currently in progress. It is India’s pioneering non-profit start-up accelerator run by students. It’s also a programme which is the largest of its kind in the country. Conquest provides start-ups in India access to mentors, investors, and a much-needed knowledge base. Start-ups get a chance to have one-on-one interactions with sector-specific mentors. Early-stage start-ups also enjoy individualised feedback and guidance. 

Beneficiaries of the Conquest programme

The beneficiaries of the Conquest programme are mainly aspiring founders. Start-ups backed by sustainable ideas with the potential to solve complex problems are being given the spotlight by Conquest. So far, the most interesting start-ups belonging to a variety of sectors and domains have been picked by Conquest. 

Application process for start-ups

This year’s edition of Conquest is currently underway. Registrations closed on the 25th of May for prototype and early-stage companies at the pre-funding stage. Start-ups can apply for the programme next year by registering on the official website, free of cost. Currently, the Online Mentoring Programme is underway for 15 shortlisted start-ups. 

The Mentoring Programme which is happening online will conclude on the 15th of July. The Grand Finale of the 17th edition of Conquest will take place on the 25th of July in Bangalore where winning start-ups can directly pitch their business models to industry leaders. 

Eligibility criteria for start-ups

The eligibility criteria for start-ups to be considered by Conquest for the accelerator programme are that they should be homegrown, domestic ideas or established businesses. They can belong to any industry sector and must have a team size between 1-20 members (as per Conquest 2020’s criteria). 

Sectors covered by Conquest

Some of the prominent industry sectors covered by Conquest include E-commerce, Packaging-as-a-Service (PaaS), social media (consumer tech) and data intelligence (enterprise tech), IoT based Smart Water Management, Agri-Tech, SaaS, Robotics, Health Tech, and the EV (Electric Vehicle) segment. 

An accelerator programme to a startup is what a rocket is to a satellite, to push it into orbit. Startup accelerators uplift the startup by playing a key role in equipping the startups with funding, mentoring and resources.

Though several startups in the pandemic were on the brink of closure or shut down, it could not deter the entrepreneurship spirit. The covid crisis has highlighted areas in healthcare, retail, e-commerce and remote workforce that can be solved best with technology and innovation. The increased adoption of digital technology across businesses is proliferating the growth of tech startups and is attracting funds. 

According to a study from Venture Intelligence, Indian startups raised $12.1 billion from venture capitalists and private equity firms in the first six months of 2021, beating 2020s overall funding by $1 billion. To aid more startups to bring their innovative ideas to fruition, US-based retail giant Target is opening the doors of its accelerator programme for Indian startups. 

What is the 2021 Target Accelerator Program?

The Target Accelerator Program aims to discover notable startups and provide them with resources, mentoring and essential tools to develop mass retail knowledge. This programme will benefit the entrepreneurs by allowing them to develop, test, and scale their products and solutions by engaging with Target business leaders. It is a 16-week program commencing from August 2021 till January 2022.

Which Startups Can Apply for the 2021 Target Accelerator Program? 

The startups eligible to apply in this accelerator programme will be from the retail space focussing on tech-driven solutions in various aspects of retail such as returns, sustainability, 3D designing and supply chain optimization to revolutionise the retail sector. 

Huawei Spark Ignite 2021, a Thailand-based global startup competition is a chance for tech-startups to enter into the Huawei spark accelerator program. Its aim is to ignite the startups with financial, go-to-market, mentoring, and networking support.

About Huawei Spark Ignite 2021

This competition is all about collaborating with disruptive startups and shaping the future technologies. Huawei, one of the largest telecom companies in the world, offers upcoming startups to surpass the ordinary and build a successful business ecosystem across the globe.

Huawei technologies in collaboration with DEPA, NIA, KBTG, TusPark WHA, and Zanroo Inc. have started this competition. This is a call for tech-startups globally, to get a chance to enter the Huawei Spark Accelerator Program, to build an ecosystem for businesses not only in Thailand but also in the entire Asia Pacific (APAC) region. 

This year it is offering this platform to eight tech-enabled areas:

Transportation
Media and Gaming
Financial services and Insurance
Education
Internet
Mobile
Sustainability
MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conferences, Exhibition)