Calling all UG/PG students and fresh graduates: Showcase your venture ideas across various themes in the StartupIndia SmartIDEAthon. Submissions open until June 10, 2023. Join us in shaping sustainable and resilient communities through social innovation.
Hyderabad, June 2023: The StartupIndia SmartIDEAthon, an annual nationwide pitch-fest organized by GITAM (Deemed to be University), is currently accepting applications from Indian undergraduate and postgraduate student innovators. The event provides a platform for students to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas in four thematic categories: Food & Health, Toys for STEM, Sustainable Fashion, and Frugal Innovation. The application deadline is June 10, 2023, and the grand finale will be held in a reality show-style format on August 24-25 at GITAM’s Hyderabad campus.
This student pitching competition encourages individuals and ideation-level startups to present ideas that focus on sustainable and resilient community building. Organized by the Venture Development Centre at GITAM University, in collaboration with StartupIndia, Northeastern University Center for Emerging Markets in Boston, and Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education (NUCEE), the event offers exciting opportunities for winning student entrepreneurs. Prizes include personalized coaching and bootcamps by internationally-trained venture coaches, a sponsored trip to the USA to showcase at Boston Entrepreneurship Week, and cash and grants totaling INR 30 lakh for winners and runners-up.
“StartupIndia SmartIDEAThon 2023 is a brilliant platform for students and aspiring student entrepreneurs from all across the country to present their ideas to the world and win some exciting prizes and the opportunity to network with renowned experts. This is an invaluable opportunity to meet like-minded people and be a part of the vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem!” said Prof. Balkumar Marthi, Dean – Innovation, GITAM (Deemed to be University).
“StartupIndia SmartIDEAthon 2023 is a great opportunity for students across INDIA to not only showcase their venture ideas on an international stage but to compete to visit the vibrant start-up hub of Boston and experience the ecosystem firsthand,” iterated Krish Nangegadda, Chief Innovation Officer, GITAM (Deemed to be University).
In the first round of SmartIDEAthon 2023, a distinguished panel of venture leaders will carefully evaluate the submitted minute-long video pitches and presentations, focusing on relevance and innovation. Up to 100 outstanding applicants will be selected to advance to Round 2, where they will have the opportunity to participate in online Bootcamp sessions and receive coaching from experienced entrepreneurship practitioners. Following a thorough assessment by the panel, 32 exceptional teams from Round 2 will proceed to the semi-finals.
The semi-finals and grand finale will take place in person at GITAM’s Hyderabad campus, providing a platform for participating teams to connect with industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and esteemed guests. As the competition intensifies, only eight teams will have the privilege of pitching their ideas to a distinguished jury and a live audience in the captivating setting of an auditorium.
The previous edition of SmartIDEAthon in 2022 proved to be a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, as over 1200 students from 28 states and 3 Union Territories presented socially innovative startup ideas. Animesh Kumar and Hrithik Jaiswal, students from Bihar’s Hajipur at Netaji Subhash University of Technology, emerged as the winners with their startup Feetwings. Their winning pitch focused on developing Internet of Things (IoT)-based solutions for early detection and monitoring of diabetes to prevent foot ulcers.
Who can participate? Student participants currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate programs, as well as recent graduates, are eligible to showcase their venture ideas. Teams should consist of no more than two members.
Important Dates for SmartIDEAthon 2023: Applications will be accepted until June 10, with Round 1 results announced on June 22 and Round 2 results on July 15. The semi-finals will be held on August 24, and the highly anticipated Grand Finale will take place on August 25, 2023.
To register, click here: https://rb.gy/308bp
For more information, visit https://smartideathon.gitam.edu
