delegates from 96 Indian startups
The inaugural edition
One room. Many markets. Documented momentum.
On 8 August 2024, SMilE brought startups, MSMEs, investors, enterprises, international delegates, institutions and technology organisations together at the Kalam Convention Centre, AMTZ, Visakhapatnam.
A credible first proof point
Participation shaped around business opportunity.
The inaugural edition was designed to test whether curation could convert a diverse gathering into specific next steps.
The results below distinguish participation from outcomes. They reflect registered participation and the documented progress reported through the inaugural edition’s investor, MSME, challenge and technology-transfer pathways.
Participation
The ecosystem that entered the room.
Participant groups are shown separately to preserve the verified inaugural-edition breakdown.
international startup delegates from 21 countries
delegates from 23 MSMEs
delegates from 9 large enterprises
investors
speakers
delegates from 33 partner organisations
Documented outcomes
Selected conversations moved forward.
Advancement indicates a next round, defined pathway or documented collaboration—not a guaranteed investment or completed commercial transaction.
startups advanced to the next investor round
MSMEs advanced to the next investor round
MSME–startup MoUs facilitated
technology-transfer MoUs facilitated
Million Dollar Idea Challenge winners
opportunities progressed through Soonicorn
opportunities progressed through Hyderabad Angels
The edition in action
Dialogue, discovery and collaboration.
What the first edition established
A foundation—not a ceiling.
The inaugural edition demonstrated that a regional summit can combine international participation, institutional support, technology access and curated business conversations. Its figures are an early proof point; SMilE’s ambition is to deepen the quality, continuity and economic value of future opportunity pathways.
International and domestic participation in one ecosystemInvestor, technology-transfer and MSME collaboration pathwaysA repeatable basis for region- and sector-focused convenings
Build on the first edition