Govt Wants To Create Shark Tank Type Show For Indian Startups & A Dedicated TV Channel For Entrepreneurs

PM Modi’s Startup India, Stand Up India has now taken interesting turn after Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has proposed a Shark Tank type reality show for Indian startups; besides launching a dedicated TV channel meant only for Indian entrepreneurs and startups.

These proposals have been shared with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and a decision would be soon taken.

Interestingly, the finalists of the desi version of Shark Tank has been proposed to be showcased at Startup Fest, which would be conducted next month in Hyderabad.

As per reports, an external agency would be roped in to search for daring entrepreneurs and their ideas; and to assemble a panel of venture capitalists who will grill these entrepreneurs, and select their ideas for funding. Live on TV.

The show would be aired on Doordarshan (DD National)

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

Shark Tank TV Series in India?

Shark Tank is immensely popular TV show from USA, which runs on ABC channel and premiered on August, 2009. Infact, Shark Tank is based on another Japanese show callled Dragon’s Den which premiered in 2001, where entrepreneurs pitched their ideas infront of venture capitalists, and they decided on their fate of funding.

Once finalized, the VCs announces the funding live on TV, just like any other reality TV show.

Shark Tank is currently running their 8th season and they have won the prestigious ‘Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Structured Reality Program’ twice.

Besides Shark Tank, several other countries have adapted Dragon’s Den into their own version of reality TV shows.

In India, Colors Infinity, a new English language channel from Colors have already launched Shark Tank on their platform. Reportedly, heavy marketing has already been done to attract viewers into the original English show, which included live pitch seasons at IIMs and other prominent institutions.

Even celebrities like Karan Johar are hooked to this show, and have shared their tips for aspirants.

New Startup TV Channel?

Besides a reality TV show like Shark Tank, DIPP is also planning to launch a dedicated TV channel for startups, wherein 24*7 programming would be fed for helping entrepreneurs.

The idea was inspired from a similar TV channel, dedicated for farmers. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is right now considering this proposal as well.

The unnamed DIPP official said, “Just like there is a channel for kisan (farmers) there can be one for startups,”

DIPP is planning to inspire and encourage Indian entrepreneurs to find out solutions pertaining to actual problems faced by Indians, and especially in the environment and climate sector.

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