PwC India Unveils Emerging Tech Startup Challenge to Propel Next-Gen Web3 and AI Innovations

PwC, a prominent member of the Big Four accounting firms, is initiating an accelerator program in India. On March 3, PwC India unveiled the ‘Emerging Tech Startup Challenge’ designed to assist innovative startups in sectors like blockchain, space, AI, and more. Startups in their late stages that have completed Series A or B funding are invited to apply, gaining invaluable industry training and mentorship. This accelerator aims to uncover innovations being developed by Indian startups across various fields.

The ‘Emerging Tech Startup Challenge’ particularly seeks submissions from startups specializing in Web3, blockchain, AI, space technology, data analytics, and spatial reality.

“If your startup is transforming customer interactions, discovering new avenues for growth, deriving significant insights from data, or reinventing conventional business models, we’d love to hear from you,” the announcement stated.

Important Information About the Programme

Startups looking to participate in the initiative can apply from March 5 to May 5. A total of fifteen startups will be chosen for the three-month program, with all participants required to be registered in India.

“The selected 15 startups will be paired with a PwC mentor who will provide guidance throughout this time. PwC will offer up to 25 hours of pro-bono consulting support and actively help in networking and building connections,” the Kolkata-based branch of PwC explained in its announcement.

Once the application period ends, 60 applicants will be selected to present their pitches to a PwC expert panel, with only 15 advancing to the final round.

Throughout the program, the chosen startups will enjoy tailored workshops, one-on-one mentorship from industry authorities, and demo days aimed at expanding their industry knowledge.

PwC India indicated that participants will receive constructive critiques of their projects, along with comprehensive guidance on risk management, resource optimization, and customer acquisition strategies.

Prospects for Web3 Startups

Even with regulatory hurdles, the Web3 ecosystem has seen substantial growth in recent years. A report by Hashed Emergent highlighted that India’s portion of the worldwide blockchain developer pool jumped from 3 percent to 12 percent between 2018 and 2023.

During the previous year’s India Blockchain Week, leaders from the Web3 and AI sectors in India stressed the significance of accelerator programs in promoting sustained innovation within these emerging technologies.

Previously, Bitget and CoinSwitch launched funding and accelerator programs dedicated to supporting India’s Web3 ecosystem.

While the country has taken a cautious approach to cryptocurrency adoption, it has consistently displayed a keen interest in exploring blockchain technology. In December 2023, former Union Minister of State for Electronics and Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, described Web3 as the future of the Internet as we know it.

To encourage blockchain innovation, India has set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in partnership with MeitY, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the Government of Haryana, Padup Venture Private Limited, IBM, Intel, the Global Blockchain Association (GBA), and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT). This initiative focuses on identifying and supporting promising blockchain startups.

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