IIT Mandi business incubator invites applications for startup challenge

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi incubator Catalyst has invited applications to the Himalayan Startup Trek Startup Grand Challenge 2022 to be held from August 26 to 28, 2022. It is the sixth edition of IIT Mandi Catalyst's annual flagship event. Winners of the grand challenge for startups, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs can get a cash prize of Rs 6 lakh. The last date to apply for the IIT Mandi startup challenge is July 31, 2022. The applications can be filled on the event page -- iitmandicatalyst.in.

According to a statement from IIT Mandi, the top startups that participate in the IIT Mandi Catalyst HST programme will also get an opportunity to raise up to Rs 50 lakh. The sixth edition of the IIT Mandi HST startup grand challenge - startup pitch competition will have three thematic areas with each thematic area having prize money of up to Rs 2 lakh. This prize money will be distributed among the top three start-ups in the given theme. The three themes are:

• The new age alliance - human-computer interaction (HCI)
• The foothill innovators challenge - build for the himalayas
• The habitable world challenge - environment and sustainability

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The top startups will be provided incubation support by IIT Mandi Catalyst, and they will also gain access to funding up to Rs 50 lakh for prototyping and product development and get piloting opportunities in the state.

“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,” said Laxmidhar Behra, director of IIT Mandi.

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