The challenge aims to push innovation and revere the best in class scientific solutions that will help scale technology adoption in India
· IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship* (CIIE) to execute the challenge
· Intel, IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship* (CIIE) and MyGov* to work together for application management, program facilitation and popularization
· The challenge, running from April 2015 to January 20161,is open to academia, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups
· Total grant worth Rs.1.5 crs; top three to get access to seed fund of Rs.20 lakhs each2
Pune, May 20th, 2015: Intel in India and the Department of Science and Technology today announced the call for entries for the Intel & DST- “Innovate for Digital India Challenge”. The challenge is aimed at fostering a culture of innovation, create solutions that can address local needs and build an empowered ecosystem for pervasive technology adoption in the country. The challenge will be open to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, innovators, academia, designers, engineers and makers from diverse backgrounds. To participate in the challenge, candidates must log on to www.innovatefordigitalindia.intel.in and register their projects at the earliest. The registration closes on June 22nd, 2015. Mr. Sachin Kelkar, Head Developer and Partner Programs, Asia Pacific, Intel, and Dr. Gopichand Katragadda, CTO, Tata Sons, led the announcement of the challenge at a press meet today.
Participants of the Intel & DST- Innovate For Digital India Challenge will be mentored by industry stalwarts and Intel experts. The participants will be trained in technical know-how, will be provided access to product kits and infrastructure and multiple commercialization opportunities. They will be offered market linkages and access to funds at various stages to enable them to make their solutions readily deployable. The challenge has been designed in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology* (DST), with support from the Department for Electronics and Information Technology*, MyGov.in* and will be managed by IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship*(CIIE).
“Innovation is part of Intel’s DNA,” said Sachin Kelkar. “This challenge combines Intel’s history of creating innovative technology with government’s Digital India vision, complemented by entrepreneurial talent to create a sustainable technology ecosystem. Through this challenge, we aim to encourage people to come forward and participate and create solutions that will help make Digital India, a reality.”
Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, MyGov, said, “The MyGov platform is designed to link government and citizens. We are proud to support this challenge by connecting the government with entrepreneurs and innovators to come forward with solutions made in India for India. We encourage all those who have brilliant ideas to come forth and contribute to making the vision of Digital India a reality.”
Speaking at the event, Dr Gopichand Katragadda, Group CTO Tata Sons said,”Innovate For Digital India Challenge promises to be a timely platform for young creative minds in Pune and all over India to showcase their ideas. I congratulate Intel and DST on the successful launch of the platform.”