The World Startup Convention is a global gathering where entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and other significant figures in the startup ecosystem come together from different parts of the world.

It took place at the India Expo Mart and Centre on March 24th to 26th, featuring a three-day programme that offered startups an opportunity to exhibit their innovative products and services, connect with potential investors and partners, gain insights from industry experts and influencers, and essentially commemorate entrepreneurship.

However, after the event began on 24th March, the BBC reports that chaos quickly ensued. Several attendees and sponsors claimed they were deceived with false guarantees and swindled, while the organisers refuted these allegations and accused some of the entrepreneurs of interrupting the convention.

Sachin Chauhan, Co-Founder of bike servicing and repair app Apna Mechanic, spent nearly £200 to buy tickets for himself and four team members. He told the BBC that “hours went by and we barely saw any investors”.

Bherav Jain, Founder of Reproc told the BBC something similar: “The crowd was full of startups founders … I don’t think there was a single person [there] who was an investor.”

As per the information available on WSC's official website, prominent Indian leaders such as Nitin Gadkari, the federal transport minister, and Mansukh Mandaviya, the health minister, were featured as the primary guests. Additionally, state chief ministers and ministers who belong to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were also present. Mr Gadkari had announced his speech at the event through his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

But Gadkari's planned virtual address had been cancelled by 1:30pm, causing a growing sense of dissatisfaction among the attendees.

Plus, according to certain sponsors and participants, they believed that prominent figures like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Twitter Chief Elon Musk would attend.

At the close of business, a police complaint was lodged by a consortium of 19 businesspeople, among them Chauhan and Jain, alleging fraud and violation of trust on the part of the event coordinators.

Luke Talwar and Arjun Chaudhary, who established Qofunder Pvt Ltd and arranged the WSC, refuted all claims against them. They told the BBC that a faction of "disruptive" individuals had sabotaged the occasion, compelling them to seek police assistance.

According to Chaudhary, the reason behind Gadkari's cancelled address was the disturbance created by the group. He mentioned that the remaining part of the convention proceeded as scheduled with police ensuring safety measures. The organisers also clarified that pictures of Modi, Pichai, and Musk were utilised for a previous event scheduled for January, which did not materialise.

Unhappy attendees have expressed their discontent through social media posts and negative reviews on Google regarding their experiences at the WSC. Numerous corporations have also asserted that they were deceived into endorsing the occasion.

The authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the matter, and as of now, no individuals have been apprehended or held in custody.

According to Talwar, the event ultimately drew 4,000 participants. The WSC has showcased endorsements from startups on both their website and the BBC, but none of these have disclosed the funds they were able to secure.