The International Start-up Foundation, a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering the start-up ecosystem, co-powered by NTT Data, is hosting the International Startup Festival (ISF) 2024. The event, themed ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the AI Era,’ kicked off with the International Start-up Foundation signing 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with renowned institutions such as Singularity University, We-Hub, US India Chamber of Commerce, Association of Business Women in Commerce and Industry (ABWCI), RICH (Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad), Telangana State Innovation Cell, Quality Engineering Foundation, World Trade Centre – Shamshabad, GMR Innovation Centre, IIIT Hyderabad, HYSEA, and NIT Warangal. These strategic partnerships aim to bolster the start-up ecosystem, support emerging innovators, and provide mentorship and market access to women entrepreneurs.

The highly anticipated ‘ISF Pitch Fest’ winners were announced at the ISF 2024, held at the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI), Gachibowli.

The 3-day event is set to host over 250+ CXOs, 300+ VCs, 800+ Global Angels, and more than 5000 delegates from over 15 countries, including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, UAE, and several European nations. ISF 2024 offers a unique platform for start-up founders to connect with peers and investors, collaborate on innovative projects, and chart a growth path for their ventures.

The ISF Expo, inaugurated by Mr. D. Shetkar Suresh Kumar, Member of Parliament, Zahirabad, and Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Govt. of Telangana, along with representatives from the International Start-up Foundation and ESCI, featured over 200 curated start-ups showcasing their cutting-edge innovations. The Junicorn pavilion, a standout feature of the expo, provided a dedicated space for school students and undergraduate innovators to present their state-of-the-art solutions to global leaders. Over 30 Junicorns participated, eagerly presenting their ideas and receiving invaluable feedback on how to scale their projects into sustainable businesses. Hover Robotix and Mentor X will further empower these young entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, resources, global networks, and funding opportunities, fostering a dynamic ecosystem for Junicorns.

Following the expo, the event also hosted the Rural Economic Forum Round Table and the GCC Roundtable, facilitating crucial discussions on economic growth and development.

Mr. Shridhar Babu, Minister of IT, E&C, Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Telangana, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, stating, “The International Startup Festival (ISF) is a remarkable initiative by J A Chowdary, who is deeply committed to fostering an IT revolution in India. He has returned to inspire the youth and future generations to drive advancements in technology and software industries with start-ups addressing ground-level challenges through innovation. He introduced the concept of ‘Junicorns’—a category for young innovators. Currently, many start-ups are finding innovative solutions in diverse fields such as mechanical engineering, agriculture, and health tech. The Telangana government is keen to collaborate with both national and international companies to support their growth. We aim to create an infrastructure that will help start-ups access the right markets, both in India and overseas. Our goal is to see 40-50 unicorns emerge from the state. We are establishing an AI City to build an ecosystem that propels growth and makes Telangana a global AI hub. Additionally, we will set up a skill university to train people in advanced technologies like AI to support this mission.”

Dr. J.A. Chowdary, Chairperson & Convenor of the International Startup Foundation, highlighted the importance of a problem-solving mindset, saying, “At ISF, we believe in nurturing a mindset that seeks innovative solutions, laying the groundwork for future enterprises. India is making significant strides towards becoming Viksit Bharat, and initiatives like ‘Startup India’ and ‘Make in India’ provide the framework needed to address real-world problems and drive the nation’s transformation. My advice to the bright minds here is to focus on Rural India, which constitutes 65% of the population but only contributes 46% to the national income. Addressing rural challenges with disruptive technology can transform the lives of millions, connect them to the rapidly growing economy, and be a catalyst for change. At ISF 2024, we pioneered the first Rural Economic Roundtable, discussing challenges and potential enablers to enhance rural economic growth. This effort aims to foster stable, sustainable development, creating employment opportunities for a large segment of the population. We are also planning the ‘Ankura Yatra’ across AP, Telangana, and other states, where teams of CXOs, Mentors, VCs, and Angels will engage with rural innovators to understand their potential and help them grow.”

Dr. Siva Mahesh Tangutooru, Co-founder & Director of ISF, added, “At ISF 2024, we are committed to empowering the next generation of innovators to not only envision change but to actively create it. We have identified 10-15 start-ups for mentorship under the International Start-up Foundation. We are also supporting the Junicorns to integrate them into the start-up movement as future job creators and agents of transformation for the country, enabling them to showcase their innovative solutions.”

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