MANDI: As Many as top nine Startups Shine at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Catalyst- annual flagship event, the Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) 2023. here today.
IIT Mandi Catalyst has incubated over 370 startups in seven years and committed/disbursed over Rs. 17 Crore in funds.
It hosts several government funding schemes supporting startups at different stages.
IIT Mandi collaborated with the Climate Change & Clean Energy (C3E) Division of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India to organise the event.
During the event, Sh. Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, highlighted the importance of innovation in Himachal Pradesh and the need for a startup ecosystem in the state. He praised IIT Mandi's role in this endeavor.
HST brought together startups, mentors, and stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem, fostering new relationships and innovation. It featured three thematic areas with cash prizes for the top startups:
**Theme 1: Human Computer Interaction**
- First Prize: Arkni PhotoBioLife
- Second Prize: Smart Kalam
- Third Prize: Easiofy Solutions Pvt. Ltd
**Theme 2: Build For Himalayas**
- First Prize: Tech Me Go
- Second Prize: Siachen Naturals Private Limited
- Third Prize: Awega Green Technologies LLP
**Theme 3: Environment & Sustainability**
- First Prize: Suspol Technologies Pvt. Ltd
- Second Prize: Genexis Biotech Private Limited
- Third Prize: Future Garages
The event also featured national hackathons, "Build Your Own Business" and "Coding Hackathons," with cash prizes sponsored by government departments and industries.
HST 2023 hosted various events, including Investors' Den, Mentor Clinics, and Master Classes, aimed at supporting startups.
Dr. Puran Singh, Faculty in-charge at IIT Mandi Catalyst, highlighted the event's significance in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges.
The selected startups will undergo an incubation program starting in October 2023, with opportunities to raise funds.
The institute remains committed to building a strong startup ecosystem in the region, he said.
The chief guest for HST 2023, Sh. Gokul Butail along with Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, Sh. Sanjeev Guleria, Chairman, APMC Mandi, Dr. Sandip Chatterjee, Sr. Director & Scientist-G, MeiTY, Smt. Deepika Rana, Joint Director of Industries Dept, GoHP, Sh. Manish Khetrapal, Founder & Managing Partner, WaterBridge Ventures, Dr. Pradyot Koley, Scientist D (Deputy Secretary) C3E, DST GoI, Dr. Satinder Sharma (Dean Academics, IIT Mandi) and Dr. Puran Singh, Director-Incubation, IIT Mandi Catalyst handed over winners cheques and certificates to the winners.
