Fifty shades of nifty growth: ETSA jury spots next giants

India’s startup calendar features two crucial dates: the ET Startup Awards, typically in October, and the recent event on August 25. The latter featured a distinguished jury, chaired by Rishad Premji, executive chairman of Wipro, and consisting of corporate leaders and tech visionaries, including Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Paytm), Mukesh Bansal (Myntra), and Sachin Bansal (Flipkart). The jury evaluated nominees based on executional power, institutional building, future potential, and trailblazing journeys.

The discussion among the panel was marked by admiration for the strategies employed by successful nominees and the promising trajectory of the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem. The jury expressed particular enthusiasm for deep-tech ventures, recognizing the audacity of young founders tackling fundamental technology challenges. This sentiment was evident in the comments of Paras Chopra (Wingify), who highlighted the inspiration drawn from engineers developing innovative products.

The deliberations were not always straightforward, with some categories requiring deeper clarification of the nominees' achievements. There were even moments when the jury questioned the possibility of awarding multiple companies within the same category, underscoring the competitive nature of India’s startup scene. Despite these challenges, the panel's commitment to recognizing excellence was evident as they prepared for the ET Startup Awards ceremony on October 9 in Bengaluru.