IIT Madras launches competition for eco-innovations; apply before September 24

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras launched the new edition of its Carbon Zero Challenge’s (CZC) today, August 24, with focus on resource depletion and pollution due to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. IIT Madras Carbon Zero Challenge programme is an all-India eco-innovation and entrepreneurship competition conducted with the objective to facilitate better new eco-innovations in India to reach the market through funding, solutions and mentorship. Interested candidates are to apply for the competition by September 24. The details of the competition and application procedure is published on the IIT Madras CZC 2022 web portal -- czeroc.in.

V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, launched the third edition of the CZC during an event held at the institute. IIT Madras will select teams and fund and provide mentorship to help the teams set-up start-ups. The winners of the IITMadras CZC 2022 will also get Rs 10 lakh as start-up seed grant and continued support from the institute, which includes access to IIT Madras incubation resources and angel and VC funding.

IIT Madras expects applications from research labs and start-ups. The competition is expected to shortlist around 100 teams by October. Out of this, about 25 teams will be given prototype funding up to Rs 5 lakh. IITM will also train these teams in market orientation and entrepreneurship. These teams will also be connected to industry experts and academia to better their skills, said a statement from IIT Madras.

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As per reports by Asian Development Bank (ADB), about 80 percent of air pollution in Asia’s cities will be created by the transport sector. India's agriculture ministry says that environmental degradation was costing India around US$ 80 billion annually.

“Based on experiences gained from previous editions of CZCs and other research initiatives, IIT Madras is going to establish a ‘School of Sustainability’ that will work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). CZC 2022 is going to give us a feel of challenges and technology needs in the field so that our Research, Course Curriculum and other activities are targeted towards solving issues in meeting SDGs and the overall direction of this upcoming School of Sustainability,” said Kamakoti.