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Preethi J.

This simple act of getting entrepreneurs in a city to discuss and exchange experiences has the potential to become a big movement and draw investors' attention.

Bangalore , Sept. 27

It is not only the Web 2.0 revolution that is generating an influx of entrepreneurs in the country... the buzzword is now mobility. At the Mobile Monday get-together in the city, the atmosphere was vibrant with an enthusiasm and curiosity that is unmistakably the entrepreneurial spirit.

Mobile Mondays are small, informal meets arranged city-wise and monthly. This simple act of getting entrepreneurs in a city to discuss and exchange experiences has the potential to become a big movement and draw investors' attention. "And its about time, too," say many in the industry.

For a country filled with designers, engineers and a bursting consumer market (mobile users) there is a need for such a forum. The event was organised by two entrepreneurs — Rajiv Poddar and Thiyagarajan, sponsored by relatively older firms SeRaja, MyToday and Greynium, and is attended by close to 50 professionals and enthusiasts. Discussions ranged from wireless technologies to mobile screen user interfaces, entertainment offerings and value added services. A new concept was delivery of two-factor authentication using the mobile phone.

With Bangalore-based MChek's application, a layer of security is added to your Internet transactions or data exchange using another alphanumeric pin. "This could replace the costly tokens that are currently in use," said Mr Sanjay Swamy, CEO, MChek. The firm has an office in Mumbai, too, and employs 45. Its flagship product, MChek, offers users the experience of a "wallet on your phone" — a payment gateway for e-shopping and person-to-person transactions.

This product is now undergoing trials with various operators. The firm has partnered with VISA, Airtel, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India.

Other forums similar to the MoMo and which seem to have developed organically are E-Club and Bootstrap Network Bangalore. One such corporate initiative is The Indus Entrepreneurs' (TiE) Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program. "

The entrepreneur scene here is still nowhere close to that of Silicon Valley," said Mr Aditya Mishra, Director — Corporate Development, Tata Consultancy Services. The IT behemoth plans to sponsor the Mobile Monday meets to ensure the movement continues with unabated strength.

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