VStEP was launched by Viacom18 in October 2017 to engage with startups for incubation and mentoring
Mumbai, 20th June, 2018: Viacom18, India’s fastest growing Media & Entertainment company, yesterday conferred graduation certificates to five start-ups who were a part of the VStEP program. True to its brand promise of Open New Worlds, Viacom18 has been engaging with start-ups to build a culture of inclusive innovation. A pioneering initiative in India’s Media & Entertainment space, VStEP is a startup engagement programme that creates an opportunity for start-ups to pilot technology-based solutions to business problems. The five start-ups that were a part of the first class of VStEP are TESSACT, Karza Technologies, Entropik Technologies, Firmway and vPhrase.
Working in close collaboration with business units across the Viacom18 network, the VStEP startups have developed solutions that are relevant to both media and non-media companies. The first class of VStEP has been onboarded in partnership with Zone Startups India, a global brand of technology accelerators and early stage venture funds, operated by Toronto-based Ryerson Futures Inc.
Speaking about the VStEP initiative, Achint Setia, Senior Vice President- Viacom18 Digital Ventures and Head- VStEP said, “At Viacom18, we propel ourselves on the back of innovation concurrent to our brand promise of Open New Worlds. Engaging with startups through VStEP has been an enriching experience as the initiative has brought solutions that add business value while at the same time drives a culture of innovation internally as well. Over the last 6 months, our teams have worked closely with the startups on the POCs, perfecting them into solutions that are adoption ready.”
Furthering Viacom18’s commitment in fostering a culture of innovation and engaging with startups, the company recently entered a strategic partnership with Anthill Ventures for an accelerator program called Anthill Studio that will scout for startups building products for Media & Entertainment industry using technologies such as AI/ML, AR/VR, IoT, Big Data, Blockchain and others. The areas of focus include filmed entertainment, TV, gaming and digital media industries.
A brief on the five startups of the VStEP first class and their POCs are:
About Viacom18
Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India’s fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of iconic brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of TV18, which owns 51%, and Viacom Inc., with a 49% stake, Viacom18 defines entertainment in India by touching the lives of people through its properties on air, online, on ground, in shop and through cinema.
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