Media release
Mangaluru, Nov 13: Kanara Entrepreneurs (KE) which focuses on nurturing entrepreneurship has launched a new incubation programme titled ‘Elevate by KE’.
Global chairman, Ivan Fernandes who is also an angel Investor and a serial entrepreneur, recently announced this flagship programme saying - “It's an annual programme where we select two startups for a ten months incubation, where our experienced mentors will support these Promoters to leverage the power of the KE network and build the business on a sound foundation including the initial seed capital that is so essential for any startup to elevate to the next level.”
KE received applications from startups in India and the United Arab Emirates where it has its chapters. The Incubation committee consisting of Mark D’Souza (chartered accountant and past president of KE Bangalore Chapter), Lloyd Mathias (angel investor and Business Strategist) and Rohit Fernandes (serial entrepreneur) met earlier this week and reviewed all the applications and shortlisted four startups, for a pitch session to be held on November 17 at Hotel Grand Magrath, Bengaluru.
The shortlisted startups are: GoDigitag, MadVR, Iconic Office Furniture and Yacht Inventory management, founded by Vinod Philips, Vincent Anthony DSouza, Nixon Lobo and Prince Preetham Pinto respectively.
Lead members of KE from both Dubai chapter as well as Bangalore chapter will attend the pitch session on November 17 where they would collectively evaluate and select two of these startups.
Pramod DSouza, associate director - Mentoring at KE Bangalore chapter is very happy about the quality of startups and believes this programme would help the founders to grow their business to the next level. He also mentioned that the programme would encourage more youth from the community to venture into startups.
Claudius Pereira, president of KE Bangalore chapter, attended the initial pitch session over conference call earlier this week along with Ivan Fernandes. Both of them are extremely happy with the shortlisted startups and their business models. They are also excited about the market opportunities these startups have if they execute it well.