The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has incubated a start-up which looks to help other start-ups by working on enhancing the success of early-stage start-ups by using machine learning and data sciences tools and techniques.
YNOS Venture Engine CC Private Limited was founded by Prof Thillai Rajan, Department of Management Studies (DoMS), IIT Madras, who has been researching the Indian venture industry for close to a decade now.
He has used his research insights to develop the various offerings of YNOS. The YNOS team has faculty, students, and alumni of the institute. As a professor in DomS, IIT Madras, Prof Rajan also brings out an annual report on the Indian venture capital and private equity industry, which provides a lot of insight into the funding issues faced by start-ups.
Speaking about this venture, Prof Rajan said, “Information and decision-making analytics are not easily accessible for early-stage entrepreneurs. Sell-side intermediation is virtually nil for early stage start-ups. YNOS uses research insights and technology to provide information and intermediation services for early stage entrepreneurs. Using advanced marker analytics tools, our platform provides estimates of valuation and also identify appropriate investors for the start-up.”
The objective of YNOS is to help start-up founders to navigate the terrain in the early stages of their venture life-cycle. The technology platform and hybrid offerings have been designed to cater to specific needs of early stage entrepreneurs. The start-up provides a range of offerings such as providing the competitive landscape for start-ups, valuation estimates, identifying appropriate investors, and hands on understanding of start-up fundraising, to name a few.
Speaking on the importance of such an initiative, Dr. Tamaswati Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, said: “As one of India’s leading incubators with over 140 of deep-tech start-ups we are keenly aware of the challenges faced by early stage technology entrepreneurs, especially in raising investment and finding matched mentors. Services offered by YNOS are addressing some of these critical issues and I am confident that they will create a strong impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in this country.”