Jaarvis Accelerator has been described as one of the premium startup accelerators in India.
Name of Accelerator: Jaarvis Accelerator
Jaarvis Accelerators’ Jaspal Sarai, COO and Co Founder
Location: Gurgaon, India
Co-Founder of Jaarvis Accelerator: Jaspal Sarai
Vice President: Brett Stevens
Website: www.jaarvisaccelerator.com
(Interview with Sayantan Dasgupta, Corporate Communications Manager)
This article is part of our Startup Accelerator Spotlight Series featuring accelerators from around the world. We hope these spotlights will assist the entrepreneur should they consider attending an accelerator program.
In two sentences or less, tell us about your accelerator and its objectives.
Jaarvis Accelerators’ Brett Stevens, Vice President
At Jaarvis Accelerator (JA), we identify early stage sustainable businesses and help them turn into a scalable model within 16 weeks. JA has been described as one of the premium startup accelerators in India.
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Why is your accelerator program unique? Please describe the benefits of participation in your program.
At JA we not only guide and mentor our startups at each and every step during their program here, but also provide them with essential business support including Legal, Accounting, IT, HR and a creative co-working environment where they can access and interact with the whole of the Jaarvis team. We also offer our startups international exposure.
For example, JA has designed a curriculum where we will provide our FinTech, Bitcoin and “Blockchain” technology startups a 2-month residential development experience in Hong Kong. The essence of the Hong Kong residential program is about gaining access to financial mentors and industry experts that will add an edge to a startup’s journey. It is headed by Brett Stevens, Vice President of JA and a veteran in the industry.
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What is the most difficult part of working with startups?
Every startup is different in its own way and we make sure we help them overcome the roadblocks together. Many young entrepreneurs and founders have little or no business experience, or even work experience, so sometimes we need to coach them in many basic concepts before we can move into more complex mentoring. Startups are also impatient, which is good in a way because they keep pushing us along.
What do you enjoy the most; what do you find most appealing about working with entrepreneurial startups?
It’s all about the hustle, constantly trying new things and evolving. Watching an idea come to reality is very rewarding. Helping your entrepreneurs grow their business in the space of just a few months is very exciting.
Tell us about your success stories; which are the most interesting companies to have participated in your program?
EduRev, one of our education startups, recently funded for an undisclosed amount, was our first success. Since then, one of our other early batch startups, Spotwrks, has also received an investment. Extra Carbon, another startup in our cohort, is organizing the recyclable waste industry by using technology. We believe that every one of our startups is unique and interesting in their own way.
What are the three most important factors startup entrepreneurs should consider when contemplating attending an accelerator?
- Mentorship
- Contacts with Investors
- Assistance in gaining early customers
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What else would you like to share?
Our startups have total independence in deciding which services to use, leveraging our defined starting points and play-book to create a comprehensive tailored program to ensure success. We had a very successful Demo Day this year where 10 out of our 14 startups pitched to over 40 investors (Angels/VCs) which were present in the room. They are now in the final stages of their talks for funding. Apart from these, we are also very active in most of the local startup and entrepreneurship events as accelerator partners, judges and panelists.
In search of an accelerator that aligns with your startup’s needs? Find My Accelerator can help!
Pam Goforth
Pam Goforth is Research Manager for FundingSage, which provides valuable information, tools and resources to entrepreneurs seeking to start, grow and fund a business.
