VC's hunt for business plans at IIM-B

The venture capital community is showing a keen interest in Vista 2004, the management meet of the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore.

Venture capitalists are not only participating in this year's event to mentor students but will also fund any viable business proposition that may emerge.

The three-day Vista 2004, inaugurated on October 28, will be held from November 5-7. IIM-B is collaborating with CII Young Indians for the initiative.

According to a student representative, "This year's theme is 'Innovation at the Frontier'. Since we intend to encourage innovation, we have invited the VC community to mentor students. There are about 500 corporate participants. We expect nearly 3,500 students per day. The event will encourage exchange of knowledge and ideas."

The panel of judges for Bzzwings, a business plan competition includes, Ramakrishna Kunisetty Venkata (Carlyle), Sanjay Anandaraman (JumpStartup), S N Rajesh (UTI Venture Funds Management Company), V Sreenivasulu (Intel Capital).

Vista 2004 will provide finalists the option of a mentorship programme where each team is allotted a mentor to advise them on their business plan.

Innovation Exchange, a legal entity, has been started such that students with ideas can approach it and consultancy is provided for developing the business plan.