India’s biggest Business Reality Show – ‘The PITCH’ with 5Cr prize on Bloomberg UTV

PR NEWS:  Bloomberg UTV, India’s premiere business news channel, unveiled ‘THE PITCH’ – India’s biggest Business Reality Show. The first of its kind show promising upto Rs. 5 Crore – the highest amount of money on Indian Television – was launched by Ronnie Screwvala, Chief Executive Officer of the UTV Group and renowned Actor Boman Irani who will host the show.

THE PITCH aims to identify, evaluate and encourage potential entrepreneurs who not only have the most deserving business ideas, but also possess the critical skills required to execute those ideas successfully. Following a nationwide call-for-entries, a jury comprising successful entrepreneurs like Vishal Gondal of Indiagames, Alok Kejriwal of Games2win and Satya Narayanan of Career Launcher will shortlist the top 30 business plans and their creators, who could make it to the show. Led by Sasha Mirchandani, the Mumbai Angels – the most respected angel investors in the country – will closely evaluate these 30 aspirants not only on the brilliance of their business pitches, but also on their individual excellence and identify the final 10 aspirants who will appear on THE PITCH.

In this quest for excellence, Boman Irani will see the aspirants through the challenges thrown to them by some of India’s most prominent business leaders like Naina Lal Kidwai, Kishore Biyani, N Damodaran, Karan Johar among others, across diverse industries. 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 from Mumbai Angels.

Speaking at the event Mr. 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.”

Host of the show and guide to the aspirants, Boman Irani said “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. I am eagerly waiting to learn from these bright young sparks of emerging India and test myself over the challenges set by the stalwarts of India Inc. Maybe, revisit the entrepreneur in myself!”

Serial Entrepreneur and co-founder of Mumbai Angels, Sasha Mirchandani lauded the initiative of the channel. Commenting on what inspired the Mumbai Angels most towards the show, he 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.”

THE PITCH is presented by M3M India Ltd. Upcoming young entrepreneur and Director of the company, Pankaj Bansal said, “This show helps us to live up to our credo of giving joy. We are happy to be associated with such a unique initiative that inspires every Indian to become an entrepreneur.”

As Boman says across communications,

“If you’ve got the plan, we’ve got the money. So, what’s YOUR pitch?”

Submit your business pitches at www.thepitch.in or utvmoney.com/thepitch or

SMS PITCH to 59995 for more information.

The show will air exclusively on Bloomberg UTV from October 2010.

About Bloomberg UTV Bloomberg UTV, India’s premiere Business news channel is a strategic partnership between Bloomberg L.P., the global leader in business information, and the promoters (founders) of UTV, India’s leading integrated media and entertainment enterprise. With an enviable squad of Indian journalists, power of over 2500 professionals across the globe and a network of 145 bureaus, Bloomberg UTV is product of local news gathering, production and distribution expertise combined with the world class financial news capabilities and global reach. The channel’s positioned as an enabler that cuts out the terminology and presents the honest truth. It ushers in the investment culture to a whole new class of Indian growth aspirants that have somewhat been alienated with the erstwhile genre offering. Powered with thought leadership across markets, news and path breaking features, BloombergUTV aims to lead this attitudinal shift where the intimidating numbers will give way to usable knowledge and clarity…and aptly create a business news delivery format that’s Blunt. And Sharp.

For further information, please contact:

Kripa Nayak/ Yasna Mistree LINOPINION – The Lintas Public Relations Division Mobile: (+91) 9819826335 / 9820942610 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]