The third and most successful edition of Start-up Expo, India’s largest ecosystem for start-up success, was held in New Delhi today. Co-hosted by Lufthansa India and the Delhi-NCR chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), the Expo witnessed a convergence of more than 19,000 delegates from various cities across India, including 100 investors, over 100 recognized business experts as well as with nearly 500 start-up exhibitors.

The one-day event also hosted the Grand Finale of the very first season of ‘Elevator Pitch’ contest, launched in August by Lufthansa. Manasi Kulkarni, Co-Founder- Innoweave Biocare, emerged as the winner by outshining over 500 contestants. By making a sharp 3-minute pitch and displaying sharp business acumen, Manasi won the grand prize of sponsored seat at a global entrepreneurship programme at the prestigious Cambridge University in UK, a Lufthansa Business Class ticket to Europe as well as coveted mentorship from TiE Delhi-NCR.

“The overwhelming response to Start-up Expo has led to its exponential growth over the past three years into what is today India’s largest ecosystem for start-up success. It is also an affirmation of the fact that young entrepreneurs in India are chasing new dreams, exploring new possibilities and we feel absolutely privileged to enable them in taking the leap from dreams to success,” said Wolfgang Will, Senior Director, South Asia, Lufthansa Group Airlines.

“On behalf of Lufthansa, I extend my heartiest congratulation to Manasi, for a well-deserved victory. I would also like to express our appreciation to all our partners, participants and business leaders whose contribution has made this our biggest edition ever.” added Wolfgang Will.

The Expo was attended by eminent personalities including Ramesh Abhishek, Hon’ble Secretary of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP); Rajan Anandan, President- TiE Delhi-NCR & VP- SE Asia & India- Google; Heike Birlenbach, Senior VP- Lufthansa Group Airlines & CCO Hub Frankfurt; Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR and Vani Kola, MD, Kalaari Capital to name a few. Also present were leading Indian investors and partners including StartupIndia and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), along with government functionaries, business experts, mentors, corporates, support agencies, industry associations and potential customers.

“Start-up Expo is an important catalyst in the entrepreneurial revolution in India. The extraordinary response to its third edition this year stands testimony to this.” said Geetika Dayal, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR. “Together with Lufthansa, we are proud to have created this genuinely valuable platform for driving start-up success in India.”

The unique initiative began three years ago and has grown from strength to strength. A nationwide movement today, it is widely recognized for the all-embracing support it facilitates for entrepreneurs. Over the last three years, Start-up Expo has attracted an overwhelming participation of over 19,000 attendees, over 500 start-ups and facilitated more than 1200 investor meetings.