MANDI: Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has sought applications from the entrepreneurs for its sixth edition Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) hosted by its technology business Incubator, Catalyst, starting from August 26 to August 28, 2022.
IIT Mandi Catalyst is on a mission to build a high-tech sustainable startup valley in its campus at Kamand. The last date to apply is 31st July 2022.
The event features a Grand Challenge for startups, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs that has Rs. 6 lakh cash prizes. Top startups will also have opportunity to raise upto Rs.50 lakhs.
In its sixth edition, ‘HST Startup Grand Challenge’ - startup pitch competition will have three thematic areas.
The first is Foothill Innovators Challenge - Build for the Himalayas.
The problem statements in these areas are devised in close communication with the state's Industries Department, HP Center for Entrepreneurship Development, Department of IT, and Labor Commissioner Office-Himachal Pradesh.
These include Hill road safety, disaster prevention, and management. Demand and supply-side challenges to Himalayan agriculture.
Vocal for local - interventions to scale local products and services. Rural development - education, skill training, and employment.
Patient oriented Hospital Management Information System, Digitization of patient health records and prescription, and data based analytics for decision making.
Route Tracking of popular high elevation trekking routes.
Location tracking of trekkers in areas with and without internet network, SoS system for trekkers to call help in areas without internet network.
Integration of intra-departmental and inter-departmental data to take data-based decisions
Low cost technology solutions for displaying, managing, and monitoring vehicle inflow, time-keeping and payment at parking areas
Solutions for managing state’s blue colored human resource including factory commissioning, labor law compliance, labor hiring and training.
Solutions for efficient record keeping and employment matchmaking for human resource
Technology on drones for use cases in Himalayas - essentials delivery, difficult terrain mapping and discovery, use cases in high altitude agriculture (sprays, irrigation, etc).
Drone based solutions for monitoring, mapping, and reporting of deforestation, and solutions for reforestation
Solutions to promote vernacular housing, sustainable living, and green practices at individual and organizational levels.
Catalyst also offer Habitable World Challenge - Environment and Sustainability.
The problem statements for this area have been developed in partnership with Peak ventures, Alsisar Impact, Pollution control board-HP, and National Health Mission-HP.
These include technology-based solution for handling/processing/disposing single use plastic waste and solid waste management.
Management and recycling of industrial and household waste. Technology solutions for sustainable livelihood and economic/social practice.
Solutions based on clean technologies including electric vehicles, solar, hydrogen and a host of others, including climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) for a sustainable future.
There is New Age Alliance - Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
Problem areas in this thematic area are devised in consultation with iHub and HCI foundation at IIT Mandi (iHub), and the Indian HCI foundation. iHub has sponsored the prize money for this thematic area.
These startups will also get piloting opportunities in the state.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behra, Director-IIT Mandi, said, “IIT Mandi Catalyst is on a mission to build a high-tech sustainable startup valley in Kamand.
"IIT Mandi will function as a nucleus to attract the relevant stakeholders to this hill valley. Himalayan Startup Trek is our sincere effort towards achieving this mission", he said.
Prof. Puran Singh, Faculty-in-charge, IIT Mandi Catalyst, said this year we are collaborating with several state government departments and bodies that have shared problem statements for startups in these thematic areas.
“The startups with technology based solutions for such problems will have an opportunity to co-create and pilot their solutions with these government bodies."
Every year, the event brings together the stakeholders of the Indian Startup ecosystem including entrepreneurs, industrialists, investors, experts, government and budding start-ups.
The event is supported by HP Center for Entrepreneurship Development of HP Industries Department.
Applications can be filled on the event page: www.iitmandicatalyst.in/hst2022, said IIT Mandi spokesperson.
