Bloomberg UTV to launch "The PITCH', winner to get up-to Rs. 5 Cr funding

Bloomberg UTV, India's business news channel announced the launch of their new show THE PITCH which is going to be the country's biggest business reality show at a press conference held today. The show was inaugurated by Ronnie Screwvala, Chief Executive Officer of the UTV Group and renowned actor Boman Irani who is hosting the show. The concept of "The Pitch' is unique in its genre with the highest amount of money on Indian Television ' Rs. 5 Crore.

The Pitch intends to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit that is abundant in this country. The show intends to identify potential entrepreneurs who have a commendable business idea and the skills required to implement those ideas effectively. The jury will comprise of well established entrepreneurs like Vishal Gondal of Indiagames, Alok Kejriwal of Games2win and Satya Narayanan of Career Lancher. They will shortlist the top 30 business plans and their creators who could make it to the show. Sasha Mirchandani, co-founder of Mumbai Angels, the most esteemed angel investors in the country will then evaluate these candidates on their business pitches and individual excellence. This will result in the final 10 aspirants who will appear on THE PITCH.

The challenges will be ideated by prominent business leaders like Rahul Bajaj, Kishore Biyani, Naina Lal Kidwai, Karan Johar, N. Damodaran who are across industries. These are confirmed leaders who will appear on the show and the talk is still on with the other business leaders. Every week one of these business leaders will assign a business task to the participants on a fresh episode. Boman Irani will be guiding the participants through the show. The tasks will test the participants on the essential skills required to be a successful entrepreneur. The weakest performer will be eliminated and the last man standing will be receiving the funding for their business from Mumbai Angels.

Speaking at the event Deepak Lamba ' Business Head, Bloomberg UTV said, "Through this show, Bloomberg UTV continues to strengthen its commitment to make a difference to viewers' lives. We encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country. There is no dearth of ideas but the buck always stops at the funds and through this show we will provide not only the funds but also a direction to the winner and his idea."

Irani also stated that the show will only be successful to him if we get to hear the triumphant stories of the participants after the show and if he/she is enable to grow as an entrepreneur.

The show will air exclusively on Bloomberg UTV from October 2010. | By Janees Antoo [janees(at)adgully.com]