DIPP planning a reality show, a separate channel for startups in India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Startup India Mission is making all the right moves to create an enabling startup ecosystem in the country. And this latest move by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) is the perfect icing on the cake. DIPP has reportedly written to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to telecast a reality show based on startups on Doordarshan and has also proposed a separate channel for startups just like DD Kisan for the agriculture sector, reports ET.

Apparently, the department is looking for something like Shark Tank, a reality show quite popular in the US that features startup owners and entrepreneurs who participate in a competition to grab funding from investors.

“We will hire an agency to scout for startups and investors to feature on the show. Actual funding will be provided to the winners,”said a senior DIPP official.

What makes this news even bigger is the prospect of a separate channel for startups and budding entrepreneurs. Explaining about the same, the above-mentioned official said,“Just like there is a channel for Kisan (farmers) there can be one for startups.“

The channel is expected to serve as an excellent medium to make school students and general public aware of entrepreneurship. The government is looking for effective solutions to common problems like drought, soil conservation, agriculture, energy and other segments from startups. It also plans to organize a Grand Challenge competition for innovative startups and entrepreneurs at the national Startup Fest in Hyderabad next month.