Latest news with #WAVEX2025
India Gazette
08-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
DPIIT and Hafele India signs MoU to boost manufacturing startup and local sourcing
New Delhi [India] May 8 (ANI): The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Hafele India Pvt. Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed to significantly strengthening India's manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said in a press release.'The partnership reflects a shared commitment to building resilient local supply chains and accelerating India's vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub,' the ministry this partnership Hafele will lend its support to startups and Micro, Small, and Medium (MSMEs), providing easy access to infrastructure, supplier development opportunities, technical collaboration, and market.'Hafele has already committed over USD 2.5 million in an Indian appliance manufacturing startup and has extended purchase orders to Indian MSME manufacturers of architectural hardware and furniture fittings. DPIIT will facilitate ecosystem access through Startup India, enabling startup connections, program participation, and co-branding,' the release Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, 'the partnership with Hafele India exemplifies our approach of fostering collaborative industrial ecosystems. It brings together global best practices and local entrepreneurial energy to drive sustainable manufacturing growth aligned with the Make in India vision.'Sumeet Jarangal and Frank Schloeder, Managing Director - South Asia, Hafele India signed he MoU in the presence of senior officials from both organizations and 'it will remain in effect for period of two years from the date of signing, with scope for extension based on mutual agreement.''At Hafele, we believe that India's innovation and manufacturing potential is unmatched. Through this MoU, we are excited to deepen our engagement with Indian entrepreneurs and startups and work together toward the vision of 'India for India' today and 'India for the World' tomorrow.' said Frank WAVEX 2025, the flagship startup initiative under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) being held in Mumbai, is a promising intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. (ANI)
The Print
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Mumbai: Mumbai: WAVEX highlights investment potential of media-entertainment startups
Ashutosh Mohle, Joint Director at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), set the tone with a succinct overview of WAVEX, underscoring its vision of nurturing startups in the media and entertainment space and providing a national platform to scale up their ideas. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 4 (ANI): WAVEX 2025, the flagship startup initiative under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) being held in Mumbai, is a promising intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. Sandeep Jhingran, Chief Growth Officer, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI), expressed satisfaction with the initiative's promising response. 'We received over a thousand applications. Thirty of them pitched directly to investors and over half of them are already in active conversations,' he revealed, emphasising that such efforts are essential to give focused attention to media and entertainment startups. Investor voices added further perspective to the transformative potential of the initiative. Rajesh Joshi, Venue Partner from Warmup Ventures, reflected on his personal journey from being a startup founder to becoming an investor. 'Life has come a full circle…We're now speaking with 11 startups,' he added. Mustafa Harnesswala, founder of CABIL, highlighted the traditional reluctance to fund this space. 'Many shy away from investing in media and entertainment. WAVES is shifting that mindset. We're now working on creating a dedicated angel network for M&E, and even exploring global linkages through collaborations with international governments.' The panel also fielded questions from the media, offering insight into the evolving startup landscape. When asked how investors differentiate meaningful content, Rajesh cited the example of 'Giggle,' a startup app creating a platform that helps avoid cyberbullying and sexual content, calling it a benchmark for responsible innovation. On gender representation, Sandeep acknowledged the limited participation of women entrepreneurs. 'We're committed to doing better. In the future editions, we hope to see more women entrepreneurs coming in,' he added. Expanding on the event's format, Sandeep Jhingran shared that 30 startups were given one-on-one pitching opportunities in two days; Mustafa Harnesswala emphasised the need for monetisation strategies for content creators, stating that initiatives like WAVES help bridge that gap. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
WAVEX 2025 aims to build dedicated angel network for media and entertainment startups
WAVEX 2025, part of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) here, has emerged as a significant platform for startups in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry, with a special focus on creating a dedicated angel network to support innovation in this space, experts said on Sunday. Participating at a panel discussion at the event here, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's Joint Director Ashutosh Mohle highlighted the vision of WAVEX to provide a national stage for startups, allowing them to scale their ideas and gain visibility within the M&E sector. He expressed hope that initiatives like WAVEX would foster innovation and entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving industry. Internet and Mobile Association of India's (IMAI) Chief Growth Officer Sandeep Jhingran shared the encouraging response to WAVEX 2025, noting that over a thousand applications were received from aspiring entrepreneurs. "Thirty startups were selected to pitch directly to investors, with many already in active discussions," he stated. Jhingran emphasised the need for such platforms to focus on nurturing startups in the M&E sector, where unique challenges often hinder growth. Investor voices were also critical in shaping the conversation. Warmup Ventures Venue Partner Rajesh Joshi reflected on his journey from being a startup founder to an investor. He revealed that they are currently in talks with 11 startups, highlighting the significant interest in M&E startups despite past reluctance to invest in this field. He expressed his belief that WAVEX is helping change this mindset. CABIL Founder Mustafa Harnesswala echoed these sentiments, noting that many investors have traditionally shied away from the M&E space. However, WAVEX is now changing that dynamic. Harnesswala shared that they are working on building a dedicated angel network for M&E startups, further bolstered by international collaborations aimed at expanding investment opportunities. The panel also discussed some of the challenges facing the industry. When asked how investors differentiate meaningful content, Joshi pointed to "Giggle", a startup focused on preventing cyberbullying and harmful content on social platforms, as a prime example of responsible innovation. On the topic of gender representation, Jhingran acknowledged that the participation of women entrepreneurs in the M&E sector has been limited. He expressed a commitment to improving this in future editions, with a goal of attracting more women-led startups to the platform. The event format, which offered one-on-one pitching opportunities for 30 startups, was praised by industry leaders for providing startups with the chance to interact directly with investors.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Positioning India to lead media and entertainment
India has always excelled in the art of storytelling, captivating generations with its timeless epics, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Our narratives extend beyond stories and serve as cultural cornerstones, shaping how we perceive the world, express creativity, and inspire generations of artists and visionaries. This inherent passion for storytelling has evolved into a powerful creative aspiration — one that is now driving India's emergence as a global media powerhouse. The inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), over May 1-4, places India at the centre stage of global creativity. Conceptualised under Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's leadership, WAVES is a transformative movement that will redefine the media and entertainment (M&E) landscape. As India's M&E industry nears ₹2.7 trillion, WAVES 2025 signals our intent to lead in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. India's content creation landscape has transformed from traditional media to a thriving digital-first ecosystem, expanding global connections through streaming services, social media, and emerging technologies. Government initiatives like incentives for foreign film production in India, co-production agreements and Film Facilitation Office (FFO) strengthen India's standing as a preferred destination for global creators. Central to this transformation are initiatives like WAVEX 2025 and WAVES Bazaar. WAVEX 2025 empowers startups working in emerging technologies such as gaming, animation, extended reality (XR), generative AI, and next-gen content platforms. This initiative creates a launchpad for startups to showcase their ideas, receive mentorship, and secure funding through interactions with venture capitalists and celebrity angel investors. On the other hand, WAVES Bazaar serves as a dynamic e-marketplace designed to connect creators, buyers, and sellers. With over 5,500 buyers, 2,000 sellers, and 1,000 registered projects spanning film, television, gaming, advertising, and more, the Bazaar is a space for seamless collaboration and opportunity discovery. AI-powered matchmaking ensures that projects and professionals find the right connections, fostering innovation and driving growth in the creative economy. These platforms are more than event-driven — they are transformative ecosystems that will continue to impact the M&E sector long after WAVES concludes. This will be another milestone in India's digital public infrastructure. India's youth — our greatest demographic advantage — stand to benefit profoundly from the WAVES initiative. With an average age of 29, India is not only the youngest country in the world but also the most vibrant when it comes to creativity and innovation. WAVES 2025 places the youth at the forefront of its vision, creating pathways for skill development, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration. The Create in India Challenge is an example of this commitment. With around 1,00,000 registrations including over 1,100 international participants, the challenge has attracted a diverse pool of talent eager to showcase their creativity. The finalists, now part of CreatoSphere, will receive unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders, attend masterclasses, and gain global exposure. Furthermore, the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai marks a monumental investment in the future of India's youth. As a global centre of excellence for skill development and innovation, IICT will bridge the gap between creativity and technology, ensuring that young Indians have the expertise to meet the rising demands of the M&E industry. The summit will also feature Global Media Dialogue, bringing together an unprecedented gathering of global leaders, policymakers, artists, and industry professionals. This dialogue is not just about discussions; it is about action — developing strategies for international collaboration, ethical practices, and innovation. Scheduled interactions of CEOs and industry stakeholders with the PM are expected to set the tone for impactful partnerships that will benefit India for years to come. The event is a reinforcement of the endless possibilities that the creative industry has to offer. It is an opportunity to showcase its unmatched talent, technological prowess, and cultural richness. It is a testament to India's vision to redefine the global creative ecosystem through the confluence of tradition and technology. L Murugan is minister of State for information and broadcasting, and parliamentary affairs. The views expressed are personal
