The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has a Technology Business Incubator called ‘Catalyst’ which has started with its application process. Innovators, startups, and aspiring entrepreneurs can participate in the Himalayan Innovation Challenge. This challenge aims at encouraging entrepreneurs for developing technology solutions that will mainly be for problems unique to the Himalayan region.
The event of Himalayan Innovation Challenge will be held on the 25th and 26th of May 2019 and the last date to apply for it is 10th May 2019.
The Himalayan Innovation Challenge (HIC) is one of the newest initiatives of IIT Mandi Catalyst which is aimed at actuating a series of innovative technology-based solutions, specifically designed to solve the economic and social problems in the Himalayan region. It is going to bring together a diversity of organisations and individuals that care about building solutions of this kind and are willing to deliberate, ideate, debate, and innovate to this end.
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The IIT Mandi Catalyst will choose a handful of the ideas that are the most feasible and enable willing entrepreneurs and innovators in testing, prototyping, and implementing in order to create an impact in the Himalayan region. The top ideas will be rewarded with prize money of Rs. 1 lakh and incubation support will also be offered that will be inclusive of investment and grant worth Rs. 16 lakh from IIT Mandi Catalyst.
The Faculty Incharge of Catalyst, Dr. Puran Singh, spoke about the importance of the event for the Himalayan region and said that it invites ideas pertaining to a range of thematic areas that are of relevance to the Himalayas such as waste management, agriculture, renewable energy, climate change, disaster management, road safety, healthcare and other areas relating to rural development.
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IIT Mandi Catalyst will provide financial support and active mentoring to all individuals, startups, and teams that will bring forth promising ideas and be dedicated to implementing them on the ground.