Budding and established entrepreneurs from various start-ups across the State stepped out of their workplaces to celebrate Pongal on Thursday.
The event — Startup Pongal — was a platform for firms to network, exchange ideas, look for potential business partners and scout for investors.
“Last year, after the first edition of the event, we did an analysis and found that business worth ₹50 lakh was generated. Some start-ups even found their potential co-founders and investors here,” said Suresh Radhakrishnan, founder of Chai King and one of the brains behind Startup Pongal.
“Start-ups come with their teams for this event and it helps them understand their colleagues better,” he added.
Manick Rajendran, chief executive officer and founder of iMMi Life, a healthcare start-up, said events such as these help aspiring entrepreneurs to network with CEOs and founders, whom they otherwise do not get to meet.
The venue was set up like a village, with a bullock cart in one corner and a small traditional hut at the entrance. The event began with a folk dance and was followed by traditional games.
Sastharam Ravendran, founder, Madras Curry Cup, said, “The competition here is positive. There is no fighting for business.”
Over 400 entrepreneurs from across the State took part. More than 40% of them were women.
