Is WAVEX 2025 Building a Dedicated Angel Network for Media and Entertainment Startups?

Mumbai, May 4 (NationPress) WAVEX 2025, a key segment of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), has surfaced as a vital platform for startups in the media and entertainment (M&E) sector, focusing on establishing a dedicated angel network to foster innovation in this domain, experts noted on Sunday.

During a panel discussion at the event, Ashutosh Mohle, Joint Director of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, articulated WAVEX's vision to offer a national platform for startups, enabling them to scale their concepts and enhance visibility in the M&E field.

He expressed optimism that initiatives like WAVEX would stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in an industry that is evolving rapidly.

Sandeep Jhingran, Chief Growth Officer of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI), shared the positive reception of WAVEX 2025, mentioning that over a thousand applications were submitted by aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Thirty startups were chosen to pitch directly to investors, with many already engaged in discussions,” he mentioned.

Jhingran stressed the necessity for such platforms to nurture startups within the M&E sector, where distinct challenges often impede growth.

Investor perspectives were also vital in shaping the dialogue. Rajesh Joshi, Venue Partner at Warmup Ventures, reflected on his transition from a startup founder to an investor.

He disclosed that they are currently negotiating with 11 startups, showcasing significant interest in M&E startups despite a previous hesitance to invest in this sector.

He expressed confidence that WAVEX is contributing to changing this perception.

Mustafa Harnesswala, Founder of CABIL, corroborated this view, noting that many investors have historically avoided the M&E sphere.

However, WAVEX is now altering that dynamic. Harnesswala mentioned that they are focused on creating a dedicated angel network for M&E startups, further supported by international partnerships to broaden investment opportunities.

The panel also addressed various challenges faced by the industry. When queried on how investors differentiate valuable content, Joshi cited “Giggle”, a startup dedicated to combating cyberbullying and harmful content on social media platforms, as a prime instance of responsible innovation.

Regarding gender representation, Jhingran acknowledged that the involvement of women entrepreneurs in the M&E sector has been limited.

He expressed a commitment to enhance this in future editions, aiming to attract more woman-led startups to the platform.

The event's format, which provided one-on-one pitching opportunities for 30 startups, received accolades from industry leaders for enabling startups to engage directly with investors.