India has no shortage of entrepreneurs. What it has often lacked is the stage to tell their stories at scale. That changed yesterday, when the National Stock Exchange headquarters in Mumbai became the launchpad for Ideabaaz — a reality show designed to bring entrepreneurship into the mainstream of Indian entertainment.
Slated to premiere on October 25 on Zee TV and ZEE5, the show will go live in eight languages, a deliberate choice to ensure that startup stories are not confined to English-speaking boardrooms, but resonate with families across Bharat.
From Idea to Ideabaaz
Three years ago, the creators of Ideabaaz asked themselves a simple but radical question: “Why don’t founders get the same recognition as filmstars or cricketers?” The late-night brainstorming sessions that followed have now culminated in a platform where entrepreneurship is treated as cultural celebration, not niche discourse.
“This is about acknowledgment. Every founder who takes the leap of faith deserves a stage, whether or not an investor writes a cheque,” said the team..webp)
The Launch at NSE
The launch was anchored in symbolism — by choosing NSE, the heart of India’s financial ecosystem, the creators signaled that this show is as much about credibility as it is about storytelling.
The event was marked by:
- Ashish Chauhan (MD & CEO, NSE), affirming the role of markets in empowering entrepreneurship.
- Pratik Gandhi, actor and host of Ideabaaz, who will translate complex journeys of entrepreneurs into narratives that every Indian household can relate to.
- Mukund Galgali (Deputy CEO & CFO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.), underscoring Zee’s commitment to taking this vision to mass audiences.
They were joined by respected industry voices including Sabbas Joseph, Sagoon Wagh, and Raj Nayak, who all underlined one point: this is not a show, it’s a movement..webp)
What Sets It Apart
Ideabaaz deliberately avoids the “deal table drama” that dominates most startup reality shows. Instead, it emphasizes the human side of entrepreneurship — ambition, resilience, failure, and eventual triumph. The show’s real promise lies in validation at scale, especially for entrepreneurs who may not otherwise be noticed by mainstream media.
By premiering in regional languages, it positions itself as India’s most inclusive entrepreneurship property, speaking directly to the next generation of builders in small towns, villages, and semi-urban India.
Why It Matters Now
India is entering a phase where founders are culture-makers, not just business builders. Their stories inspire families, communities, and young aspirants. Ideabaaz arrives at a moment when India needs role models who are not only entertainers or athletes but risk-takers who shape the economy and the future of work.
October 25 will mark more than just a television debut. It will be the beginning of a cultural reset — where entrepreneurs step out of pitch rooms and into living rooms.
Ideabaaz isn’t chasing valuations. It’s chasing validation. And in doing so, it hopes to make one thing clear: in today’s Bharat, entrepreneurs are the new stars.
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