Amazon India to launch Shark Tank-type show
Prime startup series will showcase innovation from smaller cities and towns
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Amazon is reportedly launching a Shark Tank-type TV show on its Prime streaming service this week to empower promising startups in India.
TechCrunch reported on Tuesday, citing people close to the development, that the Prime Video show is set to be unveiled as early as Wednesday, as the e-commerce giant gears up for its Prime Day over the coming weekend.
According to the report, the Prime startup series will showcase innovation from smaller cities and towns.
“The show will also see Amazon cut checks to startups through its India-focused $250 million SMBhav fund,” the report mentioned.
When reached out to Amazon India, the company did not immediately comment on the report.
Amazon India representatives are in touch with several angel investors and venture funds and Bollywood celebrities are also reported to be participating in the Prime Video series.
The Amazon Prime startup series comes on the heels of Shark Tank India, which has seen two seasons on Sony Entertainment Television.
The show is the Indian franchise of the American show Shark Tank. It shows entrepreneurs making business presentations to a panel of investors or sharks, who decide whether to invest in their company.
Amazon Prime Video is entering the startup arena at a time when the Indian startup ecosystem is going through a rough patch, amid sharp valuation cuts and job losses.
