Rs 1 lakh as prize! IIT Mandi Tech Incubator ‘Catalyst’ invites applications for Himalayan Innovation Challenge 2019

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi’s Technology Business Incubator ‘Catalyst’ is inviting applications from, startups, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs for Himalayan Innovation Challenge, which aims to encourage entrepreneurs to develop technology solutions for problems unique to the Himalayan Region. The Event will be on 25th and 26th May 2019 and the last date to apply through the website - http://www.iitmandi.ac.in/Catalyst/HIC/ - is 10th May 2019.  Speaking about the importance of this event to the Himalayan Region, Dr. Puran Singh, Faculty In-charge, Catalyst, said, “The event invites ideas for a range of thematic areas that are relevant to Himalayas such as agriculture, waste management, climate change, renewable energy, road safety, disaster management, healthcare and many other areas relating to inclusive rural development.”

The Himalayan innovation challenge (HIC) is an initiative of IIT Mandi Catalyst to actuate innovative technology-based solutions designed to solve social and economic problems in the Himalayan region. The initiative aims to bring together several individuals and organizations on the same stage that care about building such solutions.

IIT Mandi Catalyst will pick the best ideas and enable willing innovators / entrepreneurs in prototyping, testing and implementing to create an impact in Himalayan region. A total prize money of Rs. 1 lakh will be distributed to top ideas and incubation support will be offered that will include Rs. 16 lakh worth of grant and investment from IIT Mandi Catalyst.

Catalyst aims to create an impact in a range of relevant areas that bear importance for Himalayan region. There are three tracks in which ideas can be submitted:

Track I- Resources and Sustainability: Natural resource management, Renewable and clean energy, Climate change, Waste management, other relevant themes

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Track II- Disaster Management and Safety: Disaster prevention, mitigation and management, Road safety, other relevant themes

Track III- Agriculture, healthcare and inclusive growth: Agriculture, biotechnology, Inclusive healthcare, Financial inclusion, any other area with strong application in Himalayan region

Further, Dr. Puran added, “It is notable that Catalyst, in the last two years, has supported more than 30 startups of which 16 have been from the State of Himachal Pradesh. Of these, four startups have progressed into commercialization phase. These startups have generated employment and internship opportunities for more than 80 individuals. Catalyst has disbursed over Rs. 1 crore grant and investments to startups in past 2 years.”