Slush 2017: An opportunity for India’s startups to accelerate on a global stage

It´s that time of year again where startups from all over India have the chance to share the stage with the global tech industry. The chance to showcase entrepreneurial talent, accelerate business and connect with investors, executives, and the media. I am, of course, talking about Slush 2017.

Slush Global Impact Accelerator (GIA) has collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, along with multiple global partners, to create a program to support impact startups from around the world. The event takes place in Helsinki, Finland and runs over the course of 2 days, during which startups can reach out to a global audience. Whether that’s finding investors, media exposure or mingling with founders the opportunities are endless. Slush is designed to gather the next generation of world-conquering entrepreneurs who are set to solve the world’s most complex challenges. This year’s theme is sustainability.  

Last year saw 2,336 startups gathered to take their company to the next level, including 3 Indian startups, Cupid Care, Connecting Dreams and Cygni Energy who won the local Slush Pitching Competition in Hyderabad 2016. Candidates in the field of sustainable innovation will have their chance to pitch their startup at this year´s #SlushIndia programme, taking place at the SAP Labs Bangalore facility on October 5th.

This exhibition will be supported by Indian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (IVCA), and judged by an impressive panel of India’s most successful founders and CEOs, including last year’s winner, Sriram Varmar, Founder of Cupid Care.  

After attending Slush 2016 Varmar has been reaching out to India’s next generation of leaders, “[The] International visibility that Slush offers is beyond what an early stage startup can think of! The Slush community is something truly awe-inspiring.” Cupid Care, a startup breaking the taboo around sexual health in India by creating easier and anonymous access to support online, was met with huge success in Helsinki last year. It was featured in the top pick of health and wellbeing at Slush 2016, allowing it to rocket up the startup scene and rake in investors.

Next month India’s new set of startups will have the possibility to follow in the footsteps of Cupid Care and join the podium of global entrepreneurs.

With the exceptional pace that the startup ecosystem in India has grown in this year alone, #SlushIndia looks set to be a promising day.