Next BIG Idea Contest begins today

MUMBAI, INDIA:Zone Startups / India, a joint venture between Bombay Stock Exchange Institute and Toronto-based Ryerson Futures Inc., in collaboration with the Government of Ontario, Canada and IBM Global Entrepreneurship Program has announced the 2nd Edition of the Next BIG Idea Contest.

The competition seeks to discover India's 5 most innovative technology companies who are looking to leverage a presence in Ontario, Canada, as a vehicle to expand to North America. The winners will incubate their company for two weeks in the globally ranked #5 University Business Incubator in the world, the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) at Ryerson University, in Toronto, including flights and hotels. Using the DMZ as a landing pad, the entrepreneurs will receive mentorship, business development advice and valuable international experience. The competition opens online July 30, 2014 and closes September 15, 2014.

Mumbai-based Satyen Kothari, Chairman and Founder of CitrusPay was a winner of the inaugural Next BIG Idea contest. Says Satyen, "The DMZ and Zone Startups /India's commitment towards enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs is remarkable. Rarely have I seen this level of enthusiasm, this kind of friendly approachability, and these kinds of resources in my 19 years as an entrepreneur. Combine these, and you have a potent mixture for success. Startups that get to be part of the DMZ family are a blessed lot - your probability of making it big just increased.".

"We are thrilled with the quality of technology startups applying to be part of the Next Big Idea contest. We strongly believe in the global sharing of experience and networks for success, and look forward to hosting this year's winners in Toronto." Matt Saunders, President of Ryerson Futures and Zone Startups.