Startups awarded at SiliconIndia Startup City

Bangalore: For startups across India, siliconindia Startup City 2010 Chennai turned out to be a multifaceted platform allowing them to flex their muscles to warn the corporate biggies that they ought to be counted upon and in the process grab some awards. Around 30 technology startups exhibited their products and services and gave live demonstrations in their booths. They also had an opportunity to present their business plans in the auditorium in front of an audience, which comprised of Venture Capitalists (VCs) and entrepreneurs. These startups also had an opportunity to have lunch with the VCs and they tried to pitch about their products and services to the VCs.

The event saw some startups clinch awards after their performances were evaluated by an expert panel of judges, which comprised of highly experienced VCs. Best Startups from four IT segments including software, internet, services and mobile were recognized. A software solution provider to the Gem and Jewelry industry, Precious Microtech won the best startup award in Software segment. GLOPORE IMS, an IT Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) company clinched the best startup award in Services sector. Home Plan Guru, which helps Indian customers to get homes on par with developed countries homes in quality at lower or same price, emerged as the best startup in Internet segment. While Shorthand mobile, which uses text messaging to send and receive information to and from favorite web sites, without a data plan solution provider, won the best startup award in the Mobile segment. Awards were given based on the following criteria: the company overview, market opportunity, the team, solution value proposition, competitive positioning, growth plans, go-to-market plan, current status and investment opportunity. The judges who did the evaluation were Satya Raghavan, Vice President, Helion Ventures, Anand Daniel, Principal, Accel Partners, Ashwin Raghuraman, Vice President, India Innovation Fund, Manoj Gupta, Nexus Venture Partners, TCM Sundram, Founder, Managing Director, IDG Ventures India and Ashish Jain, Bharti Airtel Innovation Fund.

The event started with inaugural keynotes on the idea of 'Concept to Success: Milestones for startups' by Murugavel Janakiraman, Founder & CEO of the Consim Info, Suresh Sambandam, Founder & CEO, OrangeScape and Satya Prabhakar, Founder & CEO, Sulekha.com.

Following the keynotes there was a panel discussion, where VCs and CEOs of technology companies discussed on Innovation & Monetizing Opportunities for Mobile Entrepreneur'. The speakers for this exciting discussion were TCM Sundram, Founder, Managing Director, IDG Ventures India, Sateesh Andra, Venture Partner, DFJ India, Shanker Janakiraman, Director & CEO - India, Symbioun Technologies, Raj Oswal, Business Development, Shorthandmobile, India, and Ashish Jain, Bharti Airtel Innovation Fund.

Also, SiliconIndia brought some of India's leading VCs to one platform to discuss on "Mistakes entrepreneurs make when approaching VCs."

Over 2,000 people from different walks of the IT industry thronged Image Auditorium in Chennai siliconindia Startup City, which also had the participation of over 200 CEOs, 20 VCs and 500 entrepreneurs.