Applications are invited for The Himalayan Startup Trek which is the flagship annual startup event hosted by IIT Mandi Catalyst (Catalyst) to bring together the stakeholders of the Indian Startup Ecosystem and connect them on a single platform. New venturing startups and seasoned mentors get to meet each other and pick each others’ brains that help formulate new relationships and turn the ideas and innovations into products and services for the global market.
In its fifth edition, HST 2021 will host the ‘HST Grand Challenge’ – startup pitch competition in three thematic areas. The grand challenge is focused on identifying and catalysing ideas and innovations that will amplify startups’ efforts and impact.
HST Grand Challenge (HGC) is an effort of Catalyst to identify and support innovative technology based solutions in three different broad categories. In addition to the prize money to top startups, Catalyst will pick a handful of most feasible ideas and enable willing innovators/entrepreneurs in prototyping, testing and implementing to create an impact in the ecosystem.
Important Dates
Application open – 25 Oct 2021
Application closes – 25 Nov 2021
Application screening – (25 -30) Nov 2021
Pitch Session – (5 – 10) Dec 2021
Final result and main event – (11-12) Dec 2021
Themes:
- Theme 1: The New Age Alliance – Human Computer Interaction
Prize Money-
First Prize_ Rs 100000
Second Prize + Rs 60000
Third Prize – Rs 40000
Top startups will be provided incubation support and access to funding schemes at Catalyst.
- Theme 2: The Foothill Innovators Challenge – Build for Himalayas
- Prize Money: First Prize – Rs 60000
- Second Prize- Rs 40000
- Third Prize – Rs 20000
Top startups will be provided incubation support and access to funding schemes at Catalyst.
- Theme 3: The Habitable World Challenge – Environment and Sustainability
- Prize Money- First Prize_ Rs 100000
- Second Prize – Rs 60000
- Third Prize – Rs 40000
- Top startups will be provided incubation support and access to funding schemes at Catalyst
Eligibility: kindly note eligibility before you apply.
- Aspiring entrepreneurs, college students, young professionals at ideation and prototype stage
- Registered startups as well as unregistered teams/individuals
- Startups in early stages of building their venture (pre-seed stage)
- Innovators/researchers having a validated technology and willing to convert it into a startup
- Startups from anywhere in India
Contact
Selection Procedure
Competent jury panels in each of the thematic areas will evaluate the applications in a multi-stage screen and selection process. The jury will include representatives of sponsoring agencies, incubation center, thematic expert, and technology experts.
- Alignment will the advertised thematic areas
- Alignment with the technological areas as applicable
- Nature and extent of innovation and use of technology
- Intention to build and implement the solutions
- Marketability of solutions: stage of venture/idea, technical feasibility, market demand, idea or product validation, team
- Incubation fit with IIT Mandi Catalyst
- Alignment with IIT Mandi Catalyst’s overall vision and intent
For more information please visit the official website as given below:
https://www.iitmandicatalyst.in/hst/
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