IIT Mandi Catalyst successfully organises Himalayan Innovation Challenge 2019

NEW DELHI, MAY 27: Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Catalyst, the first technology-based Incubator in Himachal Pradesh, successfully organised the first edition of ‘Himalayan Innovation Challenge’ for startups and innovators on 25th - 26th May 2019. The Himalayan Innovation Challenge (HIC) - building solutions for Himalayan Region - is an initiative to actuate a series of innovative technology-based solutions designed specifically to solve social and economic problems in the Himalayan region.

Catalyst aims to create an impact in a range of relevant areas that bear importance for Himalayan region. More than 120 teams, ranging from individuals to organisations, willing to deliberate, debate and innovate to this end, applied for the Himalayan Innovation Challenge 2019 from which over 30 teams were shortlisted.

Inviting all the budding entrepreneurs to join this exciting journey to build the future, Prof. Timothy Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi, Gonsalves said, “Understand, Compare, Assess, Adopt and Develop, are the key features required for a startup. I hope all the budding entrepreneurs and IIT Mandi Catalyst will make a big mark in the betterment of Himalayan Region.”

For Himalayan Innovation Challenge 2019, IIT Mandi Catalyst invited startups and innovators from across the country to present their ideas to a panel of experts. The jury at the competition comprised of entrepreneurs, faculty members of IIT Mandi and other senior advisors of the industry.

IIT Mandi Catalyst handpicked as many as 15 Innovative ideas and will enable these innovators/ entrepreneurs in prototyping, testing and implementing to create an impact in the Himalayan region.

Deepika Rana, Deputy Director, Department of Industries, Himachal Pradesh, attended the closing ceremony during which total prize money of Rs. 1 lakh was awarded to top three ideas out of thirty startups that presented during the event. The cash prize was sponsored by HP Center for Entrepreneurship, Department of Industries, Himachal Pradesh Government. Prize winners included:

1. Drone Tech Lab won the First prize of Rs. 50,000

2. Go Vidyouth won the Second prize of Rs. 30,000

3. KapUM won the Third prize of Rs. 20,000