New community platform for start-ups to launch in Mumbai this week

This week aspiring startup founders in town have an opportunity to experience what the real world of innovating for the market is like with a special event Startup Cypher Organised by Startup Party a Bengalurubased notforprofit platform working towards launching startups the inviteonly event is a simulation of reallife challenges barriers and nuanced problems founders and budding entrepreneurs are likely to faceParticipants during a game activityldquoItrsquos a gameified experience where participants complete certain games each representative of predictable obstacles They are split into smaller groups and play level by level The games conclude with an open discussion session where they exchange ideas and provide feedbackrdquo explains Saanjh K founder of Startup Party The foundations of these games are different from traditional panels or speeches she says instead they are based on cognitive science models game theory in Economics and other psychological theories that capture the practical frenzy of entrepreneurshipA group discussion in progressShe adds ldquoThe event will have roughly 10 team members apart from participants We select certain participants and invite them based on their responses about themselves and their startup ideas and ambitions in the registration form In Bengaluru we received 500 to 600 registrations Mumbai had 200 to 300 registrations of which around 22 to 25 will be chosenrdquo After attending an event participants have the chance to become community membersParticipants collaborate in small teams for idea generation and to connect with likeminded people Pics courtesyStartup PartyNotably the model of the gamebased event operates under the concept of feedback and peertopeer support with collaborations between founderparticipants being a common factor Saanjh further explains ldquoEach participant has a different level of experience mdash some are students others working professionals and some are already founders Some may be technically skilled others are better at sales finance management or problemsolving One of our event objectives is to foster connection collaboration and learning between founders so they can get knowledge and insights from each otherrdquoSaanjh KFor aspiring founders this may be a great chance to showcase their talents especially because startups require innovative plans to cater to a budding or potential market Saanjh points out that it is crucial to learn the difference between a startup and an agency or a typical business with a preexisting market to rely upon ldquoStartup founders face various issues and require direction which isnrsquot easily available For example someone wishing to start an app can have technical issues regarding app use or app storesrdquo she says Additionally there is no shortage of social taboo or judgement for founders with unconventional ideas in turn leading to poor mental health mainly burnoutldquoWe want to create a raw learning arena for founders where they can connect with people across India from different backgrounds and also a safe space for them to share their ideas and sentiments so they can growrdquoSaanjh signs offOn September 27 3 pm to 7 pmAT MIDC Andheri East Exact location only for inviteesLog on to startuppartyin for registration