Some people may find it annoying, but I think I must write about this.
Almost a month back, I received an Email from NEN for participating in the hottest startup contest. I looked at the website and was impressed by the participation. What was annoying was the classification of a “startup”. I could see companies founded in 2003 with 70+ employees nominated by NEN with expert rating 8+ ??
Today I was planing to fill the form sent by NEN and suddenly I see an email from an unknown “startup” –
 I, on behalf of my company, request you to find few minutes out of your busy schedule and vote us for Tata NEN Hottest Startups 2008 contest. Your vote matters!
The TATA NEN Startups Awards are the first ever people’s choice Awards to recognize the highest-potential startups in India: young companies with great potential to grow; with the ability to change their industries; companies that will create jobs and drive economic growth.
You can vote a***.com online at http://www.hotteststartups.inviewandvote.do?method=fetch&businessFn=viewandvote&startupId=2**
…. More SPAM <snip>
CEO and Chairman …
XYZ
And I swear to God, I hate spams. Specially from a CEO and on a Sunday morning …
IMO, this raises some questions –
- What distinguishes a “startup” from a “businesses”. Can a new Kirana shop call itself a startup ?
- Is “People’s Choice” genuinely a good thing or just means of involving people and promoting spam ?
- Shouldn’t mentorship be an important part and motivation factor for such competitions ?
- Is cash rewards a good thing to offer. I can see Eureka has it, But I also feel that it again leads the BPlan makers to project arbitrary stuff on paper ?
- Shouldn’t entrepreneurs be judged by entrepreneurs and not “respected jury” from some college or MNC ?
Jaspreet
- India’s Hottest Startups - September 7, 2008
- The case of SonimTech – And lessons we can learn - August 23, 2008
- The Druvaa Story – III - July 14, 2008
Deepak, I liked your view point.
Probably, I should bring this to the organizer’s notice and request them for doing something about this.
– J
Ashish: Spamming is bad, period. Startups or not. Such events are not the reason for spam – spammers will find any reason. That doesn’t mean we stop doing everything. This event may be just hype, but what difference does that make? It creates enthu and sparks conversation.
“Who cares if it’s hyped to the moon and back – it’s all good because it’s happening, and it’s worse if nothing is happening.”
Well, startups spamming is the worst that I am seeing..
I’d rather say – doing nothing is more important than doing something very cheap.
Another doubt I have in this is how far will the voting be authentic??
I mean I can just vote over and over for my start up can’t I? This is what happens at the Indian Idol’s and other such shows.
I agree with Deepak that it will lead to a lot more for many start ups than just winning!
But an attempt towards more authencity would be appreciated!
Mukul, from kirana store I meant a new traditional business … nothing to do with technology.