GITAM SmartIDEAthon 2023 finals on August 24, 25; winner to get Rs 2 lakh award, trip to Boston

NEW DELHI: The Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) will organise the final of GITAM SmartIDEAthon 2023 on August 24 and 25 at its Hyderabad campus. Participants will be competing in four categories – food and health, toys for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), sustainable fashion, and frugal innovation – at the GITAM SmartIDEAthon 2023.

The university said a total of 1,009 participants from top colleges and universities across the country are participating in the contest. The competition is being held in collaboration with Startup India and Northeastern University, Boston.

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Highest number of 489 applications have been received in the frugal innovation category. Under the food and health category, 310 applications were received. A total of 134 and 76 participants applied in sustainable fashion and toys for STEM categories, respectively, the university added.

GITAM will mentor the winners and runners-up. The winning team will get Rs 2,00,000 cash award and two-week trip to Boston. The runner-up will get a Rs 10,000 award, along with the Boston trip for two team members.

The best social impact business idea will be awarded with Rs 50,000 cash prize and two-week trip to Boston for one team member. The best woman-led entrepreneurship idea will get a Rs 50,000 cash prize and two-week Boston trip for one woman team member. Moreover, participants winning the Leben Johnson people's choice award will get a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

GITAM chief innovation officer Krish Nangegadda said: "SmartIDEAthon aims to promote collaboration and networking among young minds. We are grateful for the invaluable support from our partners and sponsors."

In round one, venture leaders reviewed minute-long video entries and presentations. They shortlisted 100 participants for round 2. The candidates were invited for an online bootcamp and coaching sessions. Following this, a total of 32 teams were selected for the semi-final round.

The semi-finals and grand finale will take place at GITAM's Hyderabad campus. Eight teams will move ahead to pitch their ideas to a jury and live audience in an auditorium setting.