Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi’s technology business incubator, Catalyst, will host the sixth edition of its annual flagship event, Himalayan Startup Trek (HST), from August 26 to 28, through which it will guide entrepreneurial startup initiatives by providing support in infrastructure , finance, mentoring and industry connections. Interested candidates can complete their application by July 31 on the official website at iitmandicatalyst.in/hst2022.
In its sixth edition, the ‘HST Startup Grand Challenge’ – startup pitch competition will have three themes, including the new age alliance: human-computer interaction (HCI), built for the Himalayas, and environment and sustainability. Each thematic area has a prize pool of up to Rs 2 lakhs to be split between the top 3 start-ups in the given theme. Top start-ups will get incubation support and access to prototyping and product development funding schemes up to Rs 50 lakhs. These startups are also getting trial opportunities in the state.
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In the case of HCI, the problem statement includes assistive technologies to support and improve human functioning and decision-making, the use of advanced technologies to enhance people’s cognitive abilities, and the use of computer intelligence to facilitate human decision-making, prediction, communication and processing. to support .
It also provides brain computer interaction based solutions for economic and social improvement, robotics and AI based solutions for high business and computing performance, augmented and virtual reality based solutions for sectors such as education, health and skills, etc.
The issues in the Foothill Innovators Challenge include hill road safety, disaster prevention and management, supply and demand side challenges for Himalayan agriculture, vocal for local interventions to scale local products and services, as well as rural development – education, skills training, and employment. It also includes route tracking of popular high altitude trekking routes, tracking the location of trekkers in areas with and without internet network, low cost technology solutions for display, management, etc.
The environment and sustainability theme includes a technology-based solution for handling/processing/disposal of single-use plastic waste, technology solutions for solid waste management, management and recycling of industrial and household waste and technology solutions for sustainable livelihoods and economic/social practices.
About the Himalayan Startup Trek, Prof. Laxmidhar Behra, Director-IIT Mandi: “IIT Mandi Catalyst has a mission to build a high-tech sustainable startup valley in Kamand. IIT Mandi will act as a nucleus to attract the relevant stakeholders to this hill valley. Himalayan Startup Trek is our sincere effort to achieve this mission.” In its last five editions, IIT Mandi Cataylst has received participation from more than 1,200 startups and more than 150 mentors, speakers and investors, the institute said.
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