BANGALORE, INDIA: The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE), a global non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and nurturing entrepreneurship, recently named Artoo (a technology startup that offers software solutions to Microfinance Institutions) as the winner of its first ever ‘Kaun Banega Entrepreneur’ program from amongst five finalists.

The team behind the ideation of this plan, along with the other finalists will also get introduced to the angel investment community. 

Artoo is a technology startup that delivers solutions to Microfinance Institutions that help them offer better quality service to their end customers. The software solutions are designed for microfinance field staff that takes the entire process of data collection and loan disbursement online. Team Artoo is led by Sameer Segal who has been recognized as one of Asia-Pacific's most promising young social entrepreneurs by the Paragon100 Fellowship. Also on board are Karunjay Anand, Indus Chadha and Arunesh Mathur.

Pradeep Kar, president of Tie-Bangalore and chairman of Microland said, “Kaun Banega Entrepreneur program was incepted in March this year to stimulate and nourish the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals and give them an opportunity to indulge in a real life thrill of team building and company creation. The overwhelming response we received from the participants is an affirmation to the infinite skills and talent we have in our country.”

“We hope that this initiative by TiE motivates many others to come forward with their unique business ideas and make a positive impact on the socio- economic environment of the country”, he added.

TiE received a total of 65 entries, including individual and group proposals for this program. Each team was given an imaginary fund of Rs. 1 crore, which they could utilise to develop their business including team formation, capital costs, sales and marketing, Technology, customer support. The judging panel consisted of Subrato Bagchi (co-founder and vice chairman of MindTree), Vinita Bali (managing director of Britannia Industries), Bipin Chandran (editor of Entrepreneur India magazine) and sudhir sethi (Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of IDG Ventures).

The KBE program was open to TiE Bangalore and Hubli members, Students, Aspiring Entrepreneurs and individuals who joined an existing team of 3 TiE Bangalore members.