BloombergUTV announces 10 finalists for THE PITCH Season 2.0

BloombergUTV, India’s premier business news channel, today announced the 10 finalists for SEASON 2.0 of THE PITCH. India’s Biggest Business Reality Show-THE PITCH is scheduled to go on air in the first week of November and will be hosted by acclaimed actor Rahul Bose. Following the stature of icons like Rahul Bajaj, Kishore Biyani, Niranjan Hiranandani and YC Deveshwar among others from the first season, the current season will also see some of India’ s most prolific business leaders designing and assigning challenging tasks for the finalists. The one entrepreneur who survives these grueling tasks, and makes it to the end will receive funding of upto Rs. 5 crores, from the Mumbai Angels, to execute their business plan.

Rahul Bose, noted actor and the host for THE PITCH Season 2.0, speaking on the occasion said, “While the Pitch will be very different from whatever I’ve done before, given my past in advertising and my present in running an NGO, it’s something I’m only too familiar with. I look forward to listening to the country’s best business minds share their acumen, but most of all I look forward to getting to know the ten most deserving entrepreneurs in a country that undeniably has the most entrepreneurial energy on earth.”

BloombergUTV received business plans from aspirants in different walks of life across the country, ranging from doctors and engineers to students, housewives, salesmen, agriculturists, social service workers and even Indians living abroad. Although, not qualified to participate, entries were even received from nationals of foreign countries like Poland, Malaysia and Uzbekistan who heard about The Pitch on the internet.

Following the nationwide call-for-entries, about 100 potential aspirants were called to Mumbai to make their Elevator Pitch before a highly-renowned jury comprising entrepreneurs, business experts and investors. The jury evaluated the aspirants on the merit of their Elevator Pitch and their individual excellence, to identify the 10 finalists who will now appear on Season 2 of THE PITCH.

Mr. Deepak Lamba, Business Head – BloombergUTV, speaking on the occasion said, “The tremendous response for Season 2.0 of THE PITCH has proved that India has a significant pool of budding entrepreneurs and we at BloombergUTV remain firmly committed to pioneer the hunt for India’s next great entrepreneur."

Each week on a fresh episode, a business icon will design and assign tasks to the participants which will challenge them on the most critical skills required to be a successful entrepreneur. The elimination of the weakest performer will see the most competent and deserving aspirant go on to receive the funding of up to Rs. 5crores from the investors.

As the anchor, Rahul Bose will not only explain the task to the viewers but also elaborate the rationale behind it, get reactions from the icons on the participants’ performance and be the viewer’s guide throughout the series.

Mr. Prashant Choksey, Co-Founder - Mumbai Angels, speaking on the occasion said, “Entrepreneurship is about innovation, ideas, imagination, passion and risk and, at Mumbai Angels; it is our primary objective to promote and encourage budding entrepreneurs. In promoting entrepreneurship, we are supporting innovation, and creating employment. THE PITCH is a great platform created by BloombergUTV to identify these entrepreneurs who will energies and fuel the growth of the country and we are happy to be a part of this process.”

This season of THE PITCH is presented by Samsung Electronics. The multiple features and utilities of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 750 will play an integral role in the participants’ lives through the show. The wireless keyboard, making presentations, even receiving the tasks, will all become significantly easier with the Tab.

"At Samsung , we are very happy to partner with 'The Pitch' because in many ways the qualities that this program looks for in the winner are the ones we at Samsung espouse - a strong business proposition ; innovativeness and smartness amongst others .'The Pitch' provides a strong platform of recognition to strong business ideas and I am confident that in its second season it will get an even strong viewer response " states Mr Ranjit Yadav , Country Head , Samsung Mobile & IT .

The Pitch that airs on BloombergUTV at 8pm every Saturday has been conceptualized and produced by Big Daddy Productions, a Globosport company.