MUMBAI: Bloomberg UTV, the English business news channel which recently adopted the new ‘blunt and sharp’ look, has unveiled its first business reality show, The Pitch.
The channel has partnered with angel investor firm Mumbai Angels, which will be providing seed capital of up to Rs 50 million to the winner.
The Pitch will identify, evaluate and encourage potential entrepreneurs who have business ideas, and also possess the skills required to execute those ideas successfully.
Theatre and film actor Boman Irani will host the show.
The channel has called for nationwide entries, which will be shortlisted by a jury comprising Indiagames founder Vishal Gondal, Games2Win’s Alok Kejriwal and Career Launcher’s Satya Narayanan. They will shortlist the top 30 business plans and their creators, who could make it to the show.
Mumbai Angels co-founder Sasha Mirchandani will closely evaluate these 30 aspirants and identify the final 10 aspirants who will appear on the show.
The announcement was made at a press conference here by UTV Group chairman and CEO Ronnie Screwvala.
The 10-episode series, which will launch in October, will see one business leader in every episode, testing the mettle of the aspirants. Bloomberg UTV has already lined up Rahul Bajaj, Kishore Biyani, Naina Lal Kidwai, Karan Johar and N Damodaran to appear on the show.
Each week on a fresh episode, a business leader will design and assign business tasks to the participants. The tasks will be designed to challenge the aspirants on the most critical skills required to be a successful entrepreneur and by eliminating the weakest performer, narrow down to the most competent and deserving aspirant who goes on to receive the funding for their business.
Bloomberg UTV business head Deepak Lamba 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 added, “I am excited to be a part of this show as I am truly convinced with the philosophy of promoting entrepreneurship. The Pitch will not only identify the next big idea in India but will also help the winner see the light of day by offering them the funding to make the idea come alive.”
Mirchandani said, “There are many efforts to identify great business ideas. The critical element of this show is its focus on the acumen and ability of the aspirant. Most great ideas perish for the want of the right execution. The aspirant who makes it to the end is a definite winner.”
Bloomberg UTV has roped in M3M India as the presenting sponsor of The Pitch.
