TCS ties up with Startupbootcamp FinTech

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest information technology services provider, announced on Wednesday it had partnered Startupbootcamp FinTech, an accelerator, to host Pitch Days in India.

The Pitch Days will be on the TCS campuses on Tuesday in Mumbai and next Thursday in Bengaluru. The one-day events will be open to early-stage start-ups in the financial technology sector.

Ten start-ups will be chosen. These will be offered an opportunity to participate in the 13-week Startupbootcamp FinTech accelerator programme in London or Singapore.

Markus Gnirck, co-founder and global chief operating officer, said, “Being a part of our Pitch Days means start-ups are on the Startupbootcamp FinTech watch list for life, giving these a greater chance of being selected for one of our global programmes.”

The shortlisted start-ups from the Pitch Day could be selected for mentorship from 100-plus entrepreneurs, investors, and partners. These will get access to top markets in London, the US, and the Asia-Pacific, and three months of free office space, €15,000 in cash per team, €450,000 in partner services, and exposure to 200 angel investors and venture capital funds.

K Ananth Krishnan, chief technology officer at TCS, said, “As part of our Co-Innovation Network (COIN), we have been working with start-ups across the world." TCS had in 2012 set up a centre in the Silicon Valley. It functions as a research and development unit, which boosts the company’s presence in the mobility space.

Under the COIN initiative started in 2004, TCS has been partnering academia, start-ups and venture capitalists (VCs). The company’s start-up alliances span the US, Europe, Asia and Israel.

Infosys, Wipro and Cognizant, too, are engaging with these communities. Infosys and Wipro are also investing in start-ups. Wipro has created a fund for start-ups.

TATA Consultancy Services ( TCS )