iAccelerator Summer Start-up Camp (India)

I’ve heard of the term, iAccelerator, before but never cared to look further until today when I read an article from Tarun about this YCombinator style Summer Startup Camp.

iAccelerator is an IIM Ahmedabad initiative done in conjunction with Microsoft, Kuruvindum, NASSCOM and Kickstart.in bringing a unique opportunity for young developers to convert their ideas into reality.

The three-month Summer Camp is inspired by the success of YCombinator and the primary organizers behind the initiative, IIM Ahmedabad’s CIIE (Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship), aims to build a ‘few good products out of India’. The camp would comprise of of intensive monitoring of product development, mentoring by VC, business and technology experts. Once a product/prototype is developed, IIM Ahmedabad students shall work closely with the start-ups in commercializing the prototypes developed by the teams.

Participants will be given a monthly stipend of Rs. 8,000 (equivalent to about $200 /mo), internet connected computers, an office space, mentoring, networking and accommodation at IIMA. It’s pity that they don’t have much funds to even give the participants a reasonable pocket-money.

I suggest skipping the last paras of the iAccelerator article, a rather lame effort in humor gone cheesy. You’d rather enjoy Tarun’s take on Startup initiatives if you have the guts for a Startup.