Proto.in - India's Premier Startup Event (Day-1)

DAY 1 - Over the last 2 days Team - Grey Oasis was busy attending Proto.in - The 5th edition of India's Premier Startup Event. Indeed, it was a fabulous experience being seated in the company of 200 big and small startups in India. The schedule of events for both the days was packed with a few big speakers and conversations which left a strong footprint on my mind.

Mr. Atul Chitnis, Senior VP, Geodesic started the event with a presentation titled "The World is Changing". We do not know about the insane world outside, but it did change our thought process to a great extent. Some of the key learnings from this presentation were-

1. If the product is good and price is right, people will buy.
2. A product is lot more than just the code.
3. You can create markets.
4. It's not the tools that you use. It's how you use them.
5. All lessons will be forgotten. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

The key concept here was - Today is History. Startups whether product or service should focus on building the needs of tomorrow. He also made a vey bold statement, "VC Funding is not a viable business model".

The Showcase of The Event's TOP 6 Startups were LifeMojo, Yoplr, iFlapp, Lords Automotives, Noddler and India Khelo. If we would have been a VCs, we would have invested all our money into Lords Automotives who came up with a patented product - Green & Economic Fuel Kit for Two-wheelers.

The Post lunch session started with interesting conversations on interesting topics followed by the most interactive discussion forum. All in all, a brilliant event.

The chance of meeting some of the topmost Startup owners in India, knowing them and their business, a chance of commenting and then sharing a cup of coffee ... all of this was an experience of a lifetime.