Startup Accelerators – why and what is expected ?

India has become one of the world’s favourite ‘startup’ destinations. The numbers say it all!

  • Over 4200 new age companies have come up during the last year. As per NASSCOM’s statistics we have over 3100 startups in IT (as of last year) and expected to have 11,500 startups by 2020.
  • Being the youngest startup nation, and 2 out of every 3 founders are under 35 years.
  • Almost $5 billion worth funding has been pumped into Indian startups in 2015.

Well the stats can go on, but the key point to consider here is that the environment has never been better for a great startup ecosystem to get built. At a time, while the rapid rise is on for the startup industry, how long can it LAST and how many of those can actually SCALE?

Well the stats can go on, but the key point to consider here is that the environment has never been better for a great startup ecosystem to get built. At a time, while the rapid rise is on for the startup industry, how long can it LAST and how many of those can actually SCALE?

Many startups face challenges in even having an office space for their work. With limited funds, lot many of them cannot afford a proper working space and address. Here comes incubators who do provide co-working space for startups and this trend is picking up across various cities over the past few years.

To facilitate startup ecosystem, there are enablers like TiE, NASSCOM, CII, BYST, etc. who provide a platform for startups and bring together mentors, investors, incubators, and other stakeholders. This is also witnessing increasing tractions, as we can see from the number of such events being conducted across cities.

To ensure that we have a solid startup ecosystem, and one that sustains over long term, is to have good accelerators. So who are, and why, ‘startup accelerators’?

Startup accelerators support early stage high growth companies through incubation, mentoring, investments, and guide them through their journey.

Today, many companies call themselves accelerators but not really sure as to what they offer other than incubation space, and possible networking with investors. I would say, ‘accelerators’ are meant to ‘accelerate the startups’ businesses. Startup accelerators need to ensure that startups tread in the right path, direction, and do course correction when and where required. These accelerators need to have a business model that incentivizes them when these startups perform. This gives both the startups and startup accelerators a win-win proposition.

You might have heard about the famous Y-Combinator in the US. Based in Boston, it was the first seed accelerator program that I know of. They add a lot of value for those startups who have the opportunity to work with them. Accelerators typically have a cycle time of 3-6 months of working with startups.

Startups, in order to increase their success quotient, need more nurturing than before due to dynamic market conditions, shift in technology, disruptive innovation, and many other factors that startups need to be aware of during their journey. The growth can be exponential and at the same time can go down deeply, if they tread on a wrong path.

Startup accelerators need to support today’s young entrepreneurs through incubation, mentoring, connecting with potential investors, perfecting their pitch to investors, and guiding them through their journey. By doing this they certainly can create a positive impact in our society and also help build a better startup ecosystem which is essential for our rising economy.

Startup Xperts is a business accelerator supporting startups, small medium enterprises, boutique firms, by driving their go-to-market strategies, digital marketing, smart sales initiatives, to accelerate their revenue growth.

To know more about Startup Xperts, visit us at www.startupxperts.com or write to us at info@startupxperts.comThe views expressed in this article are that of the author’s and Startup Xperts is not responsible for this content. In case of any objection in content, IP violation, incorrect or inappropriate information, please inform us at ceo@startupxperts.com. We will do our best to act on it at the earliest.

Plenary Speaker at International Mentoring Summit – Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi

BYST’S INTERNATIONAL MENTORING SUMMIT @ THE RASHTRAPATHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI

With an aim to support employability initiatives in the country and encourage youth to take up entrepreneurship, BYST (Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust), a not for profit organization dedicated to empower underprivileged youth, organized India‘s first International Mentoring Summit from the 4-6 April 2017. The event celebrated mentorship and discussed its impact on the various sectors will also mark BYST‘s glorious 25 years of foundation in the country. Based on the theme ‘Mentoring Grassroots Entrepreneurs in Smart Grams for Inclusive Growth’, the summit held in association with the Rashtrapati Bhavan. With the inaugural on the 5th of April 2017 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, International Mentoring Summit comprised a day-long conference addressed and attended by reputed dignitaries and ministers, including Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Railways, to name a few. The event also brought together other industry veterans, expert mentors from around 14 countries and BYST‘s entrepreneurs and mentors from different fields, to share their views towards one common goal of achieving sustainable employability. The Honorable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee was chief guest at the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Lakshmi V Venkatesan Founding and Managing Trustee Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust said, ‘As an organization, BYST has always aimed to intensify its operations across the country and empower the underprivileged youth through mentorship and guidance. It gives me immense pleasure that we have covered a long journey of 25 years where we have touched the lives of so many, and created fine examples of successful enterprises.’

Shyam Sekar S, Founder and Chief Mentor of Startup Xperts delivered a speech on the opening plenary and shared his experiences of being part of BYST and building our entrepreneurship ecosystem. During his speech, Shyam quoted that being a mentor just not helps only the mentee to build and grow their businesses, but the mentor also learns during this process, besides feeling the joy of giving itself. Shyam holds the honorary position as the Chairman of the Mentor Advisory Panel for the BYST’s Chennai cluster.

His mentee Ms Shanmugadevi, Founder of Swasti Support Services was awarded the Best Woman Entrepreneur by the Hon. President of India. She thanked and appreciated her mentor Mr Shyam Sekar who not only helped her build her brand and scale up her business, but also for providing emotional support during the tough times that they faced during Chennai floods. She also thanked BYST for the business loan and free mentoring support with which she was immensely benefited.

There were many sessions that included Gurukul Diaries, Promoting Smart Grampreneurs, how entrepreneurship can empower urban development, free-will discussion by name Guftgu, and the event concluded with a special plenary session with Hon. President of India.

Mentor and Judge @ IIT-Madras Startup Expo and Startup Bootcamp

IIT Madras’ Entrepreneurship Cell organized an E-Summit from April 1 to April 3. The highlight of this summit being the Startup Expo, for which they have invited startups with unique products to display them and pitch to the judges.


E-Cell of IIT-Madras invited Mr Shyam Sekar S, Founder and Chief Mentor @ Startup Xperts Business Consulting, to be the part of the mentoring team as well as on the judge panel. Shyam quoted, “There were 12 ideas that was pitched to us, and some of them very innovative. These sort of initiatives are needed to boost the entrepreneurship mindset amongst the student community. Very glad that IIT-Madras’ E-Cell have taken up this initiative; more so, it nice to see that this being their first Startup Expo this was well organized. Look forward to being a part of this in future as well”.


Mr Shyam also addressed the entrepreneurs and students on the third day, and delivered a session by sharing critical pointers that can help them build a successful startup.

SEBA Awards Ceremony – Jury and Digital Marketing Partner

Startup Xperts was the Digital Marketing Partner for the first edition of Small Enterprise Business Awards, organized by Aspire Media, supported by NDTV Profit/Prime, KPMG and others. This initiative was launched to recognize startups and small businesses and recognize their performance.

Mr. Shyam Sekar S, Founder and Chief Mentor @ Startup Xperts, was also one of their core Jury members in shortlisting, evaluating various startups and small businesses on numerous parameters.

At the event, he delivered a Keynote speech and was also felicitated by the SEBA team on stage. The event is scheduled to be aired/telecast in NDTV on 18-19 Mar 2017 for 30 mins on each day.