IIT-Madras develops platform to support young start-ups

The technologically advanced platform has been designed to cater to specific needs of early stage entrepreneurs. The range of trainings are spread over a wide range such as providing the competitive landscape for start-ups, valuation estimates, identifying appropriate investors, and hands-on understanding of start-up fundraising.

Professor Thillai Rajan said, “Information and decision-making analytics are not easily accessible to early stage entrepreneurs. Sell-side intermediation is virtually nil among early stage start-ups. YNOS, the start-up centre, uses research insights and technology to provide information and intermediation services for early stage entrepreneurs. Using advanced marker analytics tools, our platform provides estimates of valuation and also identify appropriate investors for the start-up.”

The time has never been better for venturing and helping create start-ups. However, start-up mortality rates have not fallen. While the funding landscape has expanded, it has also become more complex. The proportion of start-ups receiving proper funding is still considerably low. The challenges continue to confound the entrepreneurs still in their early stages.

The objective of YNOS is to help the start-up founders to navigate the terrain in the early stages of their venture life cycle. The technology platform and hybrid offerings have been designed to cater to specific needs of early stage entrepreneurs. Dr Tamaswati Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, said that, “As one of country’s leading incubators with over 140 of deep-tech start-ups we are keenly aware of the challenges faced by early stage technology entrepreneurs, especially in raising investment and finding matched mentors. Services offered by YNOS are addressing some of these critical issues.”