9 Startups Graduates from GenNext Hub Summer 2016 Program
GenNext Hub is the startup accelerator by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) that is nurturing digital entrepreneurship in India. At GenNext Hub, RIL is catalysing a unique start-up ecosystem, which rests on the tripod of talent, technology, and trust. This venture is aimed at spotting and encouraging ‘talent’, helping them harness their ‘technology’ and backing them by putting total ‘trust’ in them. During the four-month-long programme, GenNext Hub conducts workshops and mentoring sessions for start-ups in the areas of customer development, market traction, operations, product roadmap, fundraising, and pitching. It also provides expertise in IP, legal, financial compliance, HR, and specific sectoral expertise. GenNext Hub is uniquely positioned as a global programme that helps startups think big and grow fast.
GenNext Hub RELAY, the graduation ceremony of the 9 startups of the summer 2016 cohort is scheduled on Tuesday, 20th September 2016. The cohort of summer 2016 is the third batch of startups to participate in the GenNext Hub accelerator program. These 9 startups were selected from a pool of over 500 qualified applications received from startups spread across the length and breadth of India, and abroad. With a stringent acceptance ratio of 50:1, the selection process also included a jury made up of senior RIL management, established entrepreneurs, renowned investors, and industry thought-leaders. To be selected, the startup has to be a registered entity, have a strong founding team consisting of a mix of business and technical expertise, a commercialized product with rich intellectual property and market traction.
With its structured program, GenNext Hub is able to revisit, refine and reinforce the startups’ core product offering and business model. Its rich mentor panel consists of thought-leaders, industry icons, subject matter experts, and established entrepreneurs. Along with the external mentors, startups at GenNext Hub also have access to select leaders of RIL for business and technology guidance. The resources made available through GenNext Hub’s global partner network including Microsoft Accelerator offers startups a holistic support system. Startups leverage the networking events organized by GenNext Hub for both customer and investor connects.
What truly makes GenNext Hub a Scalerator is an unparalleled access to Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the startups to potentially collaborate and co-innovate. With its diverse portfolio of businesses across various sectors and domains, RIL is able to provide the testing bed for the startups to validate their technology and business, execute Proof of Concept (PoC) and develop win-win partnerships.