The Grand Finale of Leap To Unicorn Season 1 concluded with a flourish as India’s top startups showcased their innovative ideas and secured significant funding and support from a distinguished panel of investors. Organized by IDFC FIRST Bank in collaboration with CNBC-TV18 and Moneycontrol, the event marked a crucial step forward for the startup ecosystem in India.
From a plethora of applicants, the top six startups emerged to present their groundbreaking concepts before the elite jury, which included renowned investors such as Siddarth Pai, Bhavik Vasa, Aakrit Vaish, Shanti Mohan, and Dr. Apoorv Ranjan Sharma.
The format was straightforward: each startup had the opportunity to pitch their ideas and funding requirements to the jury. If a jury member was interested in funding a startup, they activated a buzzer, signaling their intent. The agreements were formalized in a statement of intent, signed by both the startup founders and the respective investors.
Expertia AI led the charge with their innovative approach to simplifying the hiring process using technology. Co-founders Kanishk Shukla and Akshay Gugnani left a lasting impression, securing commitments of up to $3.25 million from Dr. Sharma, Bhavik Vasa, and Siddharth Pai.
Thoughtle aimed to democratize autonomous finance globally, earning an offer of up to $500,000 from Aakrit Vaish and an undisclosed amount from Shanti Mohan, driven by her professional respect for Siddhartha Sharma, one of Thoughtle’s co-founders.
Cygenica, led by Dr. Nusrat Sanghamitra, introduced the revolutionary drug delivery mechanism GEENIE. The captivating presentation garnered investments of up to $3.5 million from Siddharth Pai and Dr. Sharma.
Arficus Private Ltd., represented by Co-Founder Sandeep Sinha, showcased MEDHINI, their AI-powered medical software. The company received funding offers totaling up to $2.25 million from Dr. Sharma, Shanti Mohan, and Bhavik Vasa.
Healthysure demonstrated their insurtech prowess, aiming to expand insurance coverage creatively. Bhavik Vasa offered $0.12 million in revenue-linked funding to support their mission.
TechEagle, operating a burgeoning drone-based logistics network, caught the attention of Dr. Sharma and Shanti Mohan. Dr. Sharma committed up to $1 million, while Shanti Mohan expressed interest in joining the investment with an undisclosed amount.
The Grand Finale of Leap To Unicorn Season 1 was marked not only by generous funding but also by insightful questions and sharp feedback from the jury members. The startup founders showcased resilience and mettle as they addressed all inquiries and doubts, setting the stage for them to become inspiring role models for future generations of ambitious startup founders.
As the curtain falls on Season 1, the promise of startup excellence continues to shine brightly, setting the stage for an even more exciting Season 2 of Leap To Unicorn.
