India’s First Education Technology-Specific Funding Platform will provide mentoring, market access and funding by institutional and angel investors to high-potential startups.
New Delhi: Startup investment platform Applyifi.com has partnered with Educomp Solutions Ltd., India’s largest education company, to launch India’s first Ed Tech-specific funding forum.
The Applyifi-Educomp Ed Tech Funding Forum will provide a much-needed platform to identify and support India’s next big Ed Tech startups, by providing funding, mentoring, and unparalleled market access.
“It is critical that we harness the brainpower of entrepreneurs using technology to help solve the most pressing problems facing education in India,” said Shantanu Prakash, Chairman & Managing Director, Educomp Solutions Ltd.
“The Ed Tech funding forum gives us a dynamic platform to identify and help the most deserving startups addressing opportunities in the education sector”. With our access to 1000s of educational institutions, Educomp is in a unique position to help companies take their products & solutions to the market,” Shantanu added.
Applyifi will shortlist high-potential Ed Tech startups using their proprietary 36-point scorecard and assessment report platform, after which shortlisted companies will be invited to attend one of four first round pitch events to be held in Gurgaon, Pune, Chennai and Bangalore.
A team of mentors from Educomp and Applyifi will work with the top candidates to refine their business plan before visiting the Educomp Gurgaon headquarters in March, where they will pitch to a panel consisting of the Educomp leadership team and prominent venture capitalists.
Prajakt Raut, Co-Founder and CEO of Applyifi said, “Our aim is to go above and beyond to help high-potential startups succeed by providing not only the funding they need, but also the mentorship and market access that will empower them to thrive.” Prajakt added, “Our aim is to become the one-stop shop for the high-potential startups and we will do everything in our power to help these companies succeed.”
The Applyifi-Educomp Ed Tech Funding Forum has partnered with EdTechReview as the knowledge partner to further make sure that talented and innovative edtech startups especially from India are not left out.
Utkarsh Lokesh, CEO of EdTechReview said, "The landscape of education is undergoing dramatic changes. We can see that EdTech is changing the face of education from the substantial amount of funding they have been raising. Funding to educational technology startups is booming; and as it booms across the globe, we love covering it and keeping a close watch, to make sure innovative edtech startups are being talked about."
Up to 5 companies will be selected for funding by institutional investors and selected angels. There is no cap to the amount companies may seek- all ranges will be considered.
To apply, startups can visit edtech.applyifi.com – the application deadline is January 31, 2016.
