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First-time Proto.in host, Pune emerges a haven for new companies. Mirror sniffs out one of the city-based nominees from the secret list

Vishal Gangawane

Posted On Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 04:36:46 AM

I am delighted with the nomination. Proto.in is a great platform to showcase my startup and a good opportunity to attract investors’ interest”

— Anup Tapadia,
founder of TouchMagix Media
Pvt Ltd, one of the Pune startups to be featured this time

It’s building up slowly but surely — Pune’s reputation as a city which allows startups to be conceived, brought up and exist without the pressures of resources that a metro can bring.

But for a long time, the city never quite got its due. For instance, one of India’s largest startup events, Proto.in was never held in Pune until now. The event is slated to be held in the city on July 25. However, things are set to change.

Apart from the host city benefits that the event will bring, the city’s startup-friendliness has an even more credible indicator — one third of the top 15 startups going to be showcased at Proto.in this time are from Pune, according to a source.

While the names of the five will be revealed only on the day of the event, Pune Mirror has learnt that one of them is the Pune-based TouchMagix Media Pvt Ltd which is developing interactive media products.

Incidentally, Pune Mirror was one of the first to feature TouchMagix as a promising startup from the city.

Why is it a big deal
If you are a startup, being nominated as part of Proto.in, well, makes life a lot more easier. Firstly, the startup is competing with startups from all over the country.

Startups come from numerous sectors. This year, the top 15 have been chosen from among 93 nominated startups from sectors ranging from manafacturing, clean tech, hi-tech media, design and education, to name a few.

The selection process involves nine domain experts from various fields who analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the nominated startups. But once you are shortlisted, you come into the spotlight.

An industry source said, “Once startups are shortlisted, they start to appear in the radar of investors. They create a positive buzz amongst the tech community.

Plus the added media coverage definitely helps.” But the most important thing is that it’s a product validation by experts.

About Touch Magix
Anup Tapadia, the 23-year-old founder of TouchMagix said he was delighted at being nominated. “I am delighted at TouchMagix’s nomination.

Proto.in is a great platform to showcase my startup and a brilliant opportunity to attract investors’ interest,” Tapadia told Pune Mirror.

The company was incorporated in January this year, but Tapadia said R&D (research and development) work has been going on for over two years now.

About Proto.in - the event
It was started about three years ago, as a platform for the ‘wealth-makers of tomorrow’. In its last five editions, a close to 100 startups have found a platform to close funding, develop new business opportunities, create media traction and connect with potential hires.

Some of the post-Proto.in success stories include NextBiT Computing, IXiGO.com, Lucid Software, Desi Crew and Yahoo’s acquisition of a stake in Tyroo.

Proto.in Pune is slated to primarily be a one day event. The event is being hosted at Devang Mehta Auditorium, sponsored by Persistent Systems, Pune.

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