Seven startups from India join Canada-based Ryerson University's incubator

Ryerson Digital Media Zone, the digital business incubator of Canada-based Ryerson University, has added seven online startups from India to its roster. The participants are from IIT Delhi, IIT Madras and ISB (Indian School of Business), Hyderabad.

The incubation programme took off in April 2010 and it hosts startups, as well as students and faculty dabbling in entrepreneurship.

Commenting on the inclusion of Indian companies, Valerie Fox, executive director of Digital Media Zone, said in a statement, "Technological innovation knows no borders.

"IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, ISB Hyderabad and the Digital Media Zone have much in common: Exceptional ideas and driven entrepreneurs. We are pleased to host our first international fellows, expanding DMZ's scope and reach while learning from one another," she added.

Here's a quick look at the Indian startups:

That'sSoGloss: A webzine and community exclusively for and by young women aged 13-25. It is founded by Sharanya Haridas, an alumnus of IIT Madras. Haridas has also set up Young Folks Media, a New Media company aiming to revolutionise the existing business blueprint for the New Media targeting the Indian youth.

TravelNet: A mobile app and Internet-based service that aims to reduce traffic congestion and increase the use of public transportation and ride-sharing in India. It is founded by Celestine Preetham, currently a student of IIT-Madras.

ScanBox: Aims to help students transfer their paper-based notes and assignments into e-notes by developing a scanning kiosk and web service. The venture is founded by Siddharth Kumar Thakur. As an online study tool, this service features Cloud-based storage, quick retrieval and multiple sharing options.

MyIndiEye.com: A GPS video tour service focusing on India that helps tourists get the most out of their travel experiences. Founded by Visweswaran Gowrisankaran, it also provides detailed visuals of destinations, combined with historical facts, so that consumers have an engaging tour at their fingertips.

Zumbl: An upcoming social network for people to interact, engage and converse with one another without revealing their identities. Using sentiment mining, users can create interactive avatars that become enhanced as interests and opinions are revealed. Zumbl is founded by Abhishek Gupta and Saurabh Kumar.

TicketZone: A portal where users can buy, sell and gift tickets and passes for movies and public events in India. It is founded by Alok Nikhil Jha and Ankur Khera.

AskMePrice: An upcoming price comparison search that allows consumers to compare prices instantly for a variety of everyday products for sale in India. The venture is set up by Avnish Gaur.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)