The British High Commissioner for India has launched this year’s edition of the Tech Rocketship Awards that connect tech startups in India with UK’s growth ecosystem of VCs, advisors, customers and support networks.
Touted as the UK government’s largest tech awards, Tech Rocketship awards started three years ago by UK’s Department for International Trade. There are seven prize packages where startups can win a paid trip to the UK, with a designated programme to meet partners, VCs, and gain the exposure needed to take the startup to the next level. One of the prizes for winners of the Tech Rocketship awards include a paid-for tailored programme taking place during London Tech Week.
Winners will also be able to pitch to UK Venture Capitalists, curated partnerships with established UK companies and exposure to the UK’s tech ecosystem, financial services and R&D opportunities.
As per the International trade department’s website, the awards will help startups find an actual business-match and connections tailored to the startup’s specific business needs.
Indian startups founded after the year 2000 by tech entrepreneurs under the age of 40 are eligible to apply for these awards.
There are seven categories: MedTech, FinTech, Big Data and Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, AI, and the Judges’ Award for Creativity.
For MedTech startups, the award will be presented to a startup demonstrating true innovation while making an impactful change in the health ecosystem. The winner will have the chance to explore the UK as a future market for its product or service.
Under the FinTech category, award will be given to a startup disrupting the financial sector with solutions that make it more efficient and effective.
Under the IoT category, Startups across sectors such as transport, healthcare, energy, etc can apply. Tech Rocketship is looking for a startup demonstrating ground-breaking innovation in this space.
The Judges’ award for creativity will be given to a company with a scalable idea and proven business model. Judges will look for a game-changing idea and a business model that is ready for international growth.
The judges of the Tech Rocketship awards are Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD of Biocon, BVR Mohan Reddy, founder of IT giant Cyient and founding director of one of India’s largest startup engines T-Hub, T. V. Mohandas Pai, one of the founding members of Infosys and now co-founder of investment firm Aarin Capital, Raman Roy, chairman of Nasscom, Saurabh Srivastava, founding member of Indian Angel Network, Shradha Sharma, founder of YourStory and Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, British High Commissioner for India.
Tech Rocketship awards is being supported by Indian Angel Network, along with delivery partners Including T-Hub, Startupbootcamp, TiE Delhi, Deloitte and various potential investors.
Applications for the awards are now open and close on December 9. Candidates will be shortlisted by December 31, which will be followed by pitching sessions and winners will be picked on January 15, 2018 and awarded on February 6. The program for the winners in UK will begin in June 2018.
Ten startups across domains such as IoT, fintech, energy, reputation management, job management, and ecommerce won the Tech Rocketship awards last year.