Building on the success of its first edition, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) today launched the LEAP AHEAD 2nd Edition at the Indian Mobile Congress 2024. The initiative was inaugurated by K.K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), alongside Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI, Dr. Rasappa Viswanathan, Director of ICAR Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Pradeep Gupta, Chairman & MD of CyberMedia and Board Member of TiE Delhi-NCR, and Shri Roshan Lal Tamak, Executive Director & CEO of DCM Shriram Ltd.
After the success of the LEAP AHEAD 1st Edition, which empowered young entrepreneurs and tech startups, the second edition is set to revolutionize startup growth, product diversification, and regional expansion. With up to ₹1 Crore in funding, the program features a three-month mentorship plan combining virtual and in-person sessions. Startups will also benefit from tailored one-on-one mentorship by seasoned investors and industry leaders.
Pradeep Gupta, Chairman & MD of CyberMedia, emphasized the essential factors for startup success, stating, “LEAP AHEAD 2 will give wings to the next generation of startups by providing them with the 3M’s – Mentorship, Money, and Market. With the rise of 5G and, eventually, 6G, STPI’s Centres of Entrepreneurship will help Indian startups reach new heights.”
Roshan Lal Tamak, CEO of DCM Shriram Ltd, highlighted the importance of leveraging technology in agriculture, noting the positive impact on crop maturity estimates. Dr. Rasappa Viswanathan, Director of ICAR, praised the initiative for its potential to transform the Agri-Tech startup ecosystem, especially benefiting farmers in North India.
K. K. Singh, Joint Secretary at MeitY, emphasised the program’s focus on business growth, saying, “Startups excel in innovation but often need more support in business development. The LEAP AHEAD initiative will focus on nurturing global connections, business growth, and IP filings, empowering startups to thrive independently.”
Arvind Kumar, Director General of STPI, shared insights on the initiative’s objectives: “The goal is to create a pool of real investors. The first edition led to investment commitments from TiE Silicon Valley and beyond. LEAP AHEAD 2nd Edition will focus on sectors like MedTech, FinTech, and electronic manufacturing, driving startup growth, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.”
During the event, the Smart Farm Grant Challenge winners were announced, with Satyukt Analytics Pvt. Ltd from Karnataka taking the top prize. The company received ₹50 lakhs from MeitY for product development, plus ₹10 lakhs annually for the next two years to maintain and scale their solutions for farmers.
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A key highlight of the event was the launch of Electropreneur Park 2.0, a partnership between MeitY and STPI aimed at supporting emerging startups in the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector. Two insightful panel discussions followed, focusing on startup investment insights and networking opportunities created through LEAP AHEAD.