Trailblazing Startups Shine at WebEngage’s Startup Demo Day

By StartupStory | December 14, 2023

The bustling energy of innovation reached its zenith at WebEngage Startup Demo Day. The flagship event of the WebEngage Startup Program brought together the trailblazers of the Indian startup ecosystem. This eagerly awaited event brought together the avant-garde of the Indian startup realm, featuring 13 carefully curated early-stage startups that not only competed for cash prizes but also engaged in a rich exchange of transformative ideas and valuable connections.

A Stringent Selection Odyssey

The journey to the Demo Day spotlight commenced with an overwhelming influx of creative brilliance. Over 200 startups submitted their applications from every corner of the country, all fervently vying for the opportunity to showcase their revolutionary concepts. A rigorous evaluation unfolded, led by a panel of industry experts, seasoned entrepreneurs, and WebEngage leaders. This discerning process meticulously shortlisted the most promising ventures.

Unveiling Cutting-Edge Solutions

Diverse sectors, including eCommerce, D2C, Healthtech, and Fintech, witnessed a symphony of innovation as participating startups displayed the pinnacle of technological advancement. Each startup granted a succinct 7-minute pitch window, and unveiled their groundbreaking solutions, eagerly absorbing real-time feedback from a distinguished jury.

Beyond mere innovation, the judges scrutinized presentations for convergence of creativity, market viability, scalability, and a robust execution plan. The evaluation aimed not only to identify the potential of the idea but also to gauge the startup team’s ability to translate that potential into a thriving business.

Luminary Judging Ensemble

The panel of judges, featuring luminaries such as Anand Lunia, General Partner, India Quotient, Anjali Sosale, Partner, Waterbridge Ventures, Harman Preet, Founder & Managing Partner, Prath Ventures, Arjun Vaidya, Partner, V3 Ventures, Mandeep Julka, Vice President, Chiratae Ventures, Rohit M A, Managing Partner, PeerCapital, Brandon Rogers, Co-founder & GP, 2AM VC and Hershel Mehta, Co-founder & GP, 2AMVC infused the event with unparalleled expertise. Their incisive queries and insightful comments became guiding beacons for the pitching startups, aiding them in refining their concepts and strategies.

A Triumph of Innovation

In the crucible of competition, P-TAL, manufacturer of authentic and ayurvedic brass utensils, emerged victorious, followed by first runner-up B2B mental-health company Strangify, capturing the jury’s attention with their ingenious solution and compelling presentation. Pet care company Sploot was the audience favorite! Beyond the prestige, they claimed a substantial cash prize of Rs. 3 Lakhs and $30,000 worth of platform credits, propelling their startup journey to uncharted horizons.

Winner, Aditya Agrawal, Co-founder & CEO, P-TAL shared his excitement on the accomplishment, “Winning the flagship WebEngage Startup Demo Day is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team at P-TAL. We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to authenticity and Ayurveda in crafting brass utensils. This victory not only boosts our confidence but also validates the importance of traditional craftsmanship in today’s fast-paced world. Connecting with like-minded individuals and witnessing innovative startups pitching was truly inspiring. The feedback from diverse VCs felt like having the entire ecosystem in one room. Thanks to the entire team for recognizing our efforts and facilitating our win! The prize is a welcome boost that will undoubtedly accelerate our journey to bring authentic and ayurvedic products to more homes with the help of WebEngage.”

Himanshu Rajpurohit, Founder & CEO of First runner-up Strangify exclaimed, “Strangify is built on the belief that mental health solutions should be innovative, accessible, and effective. This accolade is a validation of our approach, and we are thrilled that our solution resonated with the jury. WebEngage Startup Demo Day was one of the finest events I’ve ever attended with top-tier participants and the niche crowd which we think of as a community. The cash prize and platform credits from WebEngage are not just rewards; they are fuel for our mission to revolutionize mental health solutions. We are grateful for this recognition and look forward to making a meaningful impact on the mental well-being of individuals and organizations.”

On being awarded the second runner-up and the ecosystem favorite, Arnav Sahni, Co-founder of Sploot said, “We are honored to be recognized as the ecosystem favorite. Feels amazing to get validation on our passion for pet care and dedication to creating a positive impact on the lives of pets and their owners. Startup Demo Day provided us with a valuable platform to share the Sploot story with a broader audience, fostering growth for our business. This accomplishment is not just a celebration of our success so far, but also an endorsement of our vision for the future of pet care. With the help of WebEngage, we are excited to further expand our reach and make Sploot the go-to brand for all things pet-related.”

Here is the complete list of the 13 finalists that competed:

Beyond Material Rewards

The essence of the Demo Day extended beyond tangible prizes, evolving into a crucible for forging profound connections between startups and investors. It set the stage for potential future funding endeavors, and the networking opportunities during dinner and drinks added depth to these connections, creating a dynamic and supportive ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs.

A Day of Enlightenment

For the attendees, the Demo Day became a wellspring of inspiration and knowledge. They witnessed the dedication and fervor of young entrepreneurs, gaining profound insights into the vast potential embedded in the Indian startup ecosystem. The event left them infused with a renewed sense of optimism, confident in the bright future of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Charting the Course Forward

On the successful conclusion of the flagship event, Nitya Shah, Lead – Startup Program, WebEngage shared, “As we wrap up the inaugural edition of WebEngage Startup Demo Day, it’s truly gratifying to witness the convergence of innovation and opportunity. With a commitment to nurturing early-stage B2C startups, this initiative is a testament to the unwavering support we provide through the WebEngage Startup Program. Congratulations to all 13 startups who seized the stage to pitch their visions.”

The WebEngage Startup Demo Day emerges as a notable event for early-stage startups in India. Providing a platform for idea exhibition, investor networking, and feedback assimilation, it plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the entrepreneurial landscape. As the event continues to evolve and expand, one certainty prevails: it will persist in igniting the entrepreneurial spirit, propelling numerous startups towards triumph and success. To all aspiring founders, remember, this is the platform you’ve been waiting for—where ideas flourish, connections thrive, and the future unfolds!

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