WAVEX 2025, the flagship startup initiative under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), is shaping up as a powerful convergence point for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in India’s media and entertainment (M&E) sector.
The event kicked off with Ashutosh Mohle, Joint Director at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), who offered a concise yet compelling overview of WAVEX. He highlighted its core mission — to nurture emerging startups in the M&E space and provide them with a robust national platform to scale and succeed.
Representing the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI), Chief Growth Officer Sandeep Jhingran shared insights into the enthusiastic response the initiative has received. “We received over a thousand applications. Thirty of them pitched directly to investors, and over half are already in active conversations,” he revealed. Jhingran emphasized that platforms like WAVEX are essential to spotlight the potential of M&E startups, a segment often overlooked in mainstream startup narratives.
Investor perspectives underscored the initiative’s transformative momentum. Rajesh Joshi, Venue Partner at Warmup Ventures, reflected on his journey from startup founder to investor. “Life has come a full circle… We’re now speaking with 11 startups,” he noted, signaling the growing seriousness of investor engagement in the sector.
Echoing similar sentiments,Mustafa Harnesswala, Founder of CABIL, addressed the long-standing funding hesitance around M&E ventures. “Many shy away from investing in media and entertainment. WAVES is shifting that mindset,” he said. Harnesswala revealed that efforts are underway to establish a dedicated angel network for M&E startups and to explore global collaborations with international governments.
The panel also engaged with the media, addressing key industry questions. On the challenge of identifying meaningful content, Rajesh Joshi cited the example of “Giggle,” a startup app aimed at curbing cyberbullying and sexually explicit content. “It sets a benchmark for responsible innovation,” he said.
Gender representation also surfaced as a crucial area of improvement. “We’re committed to doing better,” said Jhingran, acknowledging the limited participation of women entrepreneurs. “In future editions, we hope to see more women-led ventures take the stage.”
Elaborating on the event’s structure, Jhingran noted that 30 startups were given one-on-one pitching opportunities over two days. Harnesswala emphasized the importance of monetization for content creators, asserting that initiatives like WAVES play a pivotal role in bridging this gap.
With a strong start, WAVEX 2025 is fast emerging as a game-changer for India’s M&E startup landscape — breaking old boundaries, driving investment, and creating fresh opportunities for innovation and growth.
