SaaS firm Plotch launches ONDC-focused accelerator in collaboration with Microsoft

Plotch.ai said it will actively work with Microsoft to evaluate, select, launch and scale startups which are focused on building the ONDC ecosystem as well as creating new and disruptive tools and technologies.

This may include AI based startups for better local language enabled search for products, enhancement of catalog using openAI models, conversational storefronts for voices enabled shopping etc.

ONDC is an initiative by the central government to increase ecommerce penetration in India.

“ONDC accelerator is a massive step forward in creation and enabling of population scale technologies which will accelerate faster adoption of ONDC by various stakeholders including consumers, sellers and app developers,” Manoj Gupta, CEO of Plotch.ai, said.

Plotch.ai will also help these startups join ONDC network and support them in adoption of their technologies by ONDC network participants.

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Plotch.ai expects to select around ten companies for their first cohort of startups and will announce it by the end of June.“This will help create technologies which will enable faster and easier adoption of ONDC especially by small and medium enterprises,” said Thampy Koshy, MD and CEO, ONDC.

India could see digital consumption surge five-fold to reach $340 billion by 2030, with 500 million digitally transacting consumers.

The network could be broader, with digital penetration across B2B companies growing to 8 to 10% and could emerge as a more inclusive network with the scope to connect around 80 to 90 million self-employed workers with demand, and bring six to seven times more MSMEs into a buzzing, diverse ecosystem, a recent report by McKinsey said.

“The ONDC accelerator has huge potential to scale e-commerce penetration in India and we are committed to empowering startups across the country with the right tech tools, platforms and mentorship they need to contribute in scaling this ecosystem,” said Sangeeta Bavi, executive director, Digital Natives, Microsoft India.