Bangalore: Delhi based Indian Angel Network (IAN) along with Karachi headquartered SEED Ventures and Atlantic Council, a DC based company from Washington has launched ‘Startup Dosti’, a new cross-border business plan competition, reports ET.

The competition will be held in London next month, as entrepreneurs from both the countries may face visa problems, with this it is expected that entrepreneurs and startups from both the borders derive ‘peace out of profits’.  This initiative is a collaborative effort to connect creative minds from India, Pakistan and South Asian diaspora. This business plan competition is also expected to provide access to markets and mentors from both the countries.

"Startup Dosti will interconnect the entrepreneurial communities across India and Pakistan, thus creating a platform for exchange of ideas, mentoring, and assistance in access to markets. Given the similarities in the market stages in India and Pakistan, entrepreneurs from both countries can now look forward to assisted access to a significantly sized market in their neighborhood. This collaboration will help drive the economic growth in the region and build another track of seed / early stage ventures between India and Pakistan," says Padmaja Ruparel, President, Indian Angel Network.

Indian Angel Network, on an average has induced funds into 50 startups in varied sectors and also claims to have around 225 members in its group. It has also increased its funding amount from $8 million in 2012 to $11 million in 2013 thereby investing in two startups so far. 

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