IIT Mandi’s Technology Business Incubator, Catalyst, is hosting the seventh edition of its annual flagship event, Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) from September 29 to October 1, 2023. The event features a grand challenge for startups, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs that has Rs 6 lakh cash prizes. Top startups will also have the opportunity to raise up to Rs 50 lakh. The last date to apply is August 20, 2023.
HST Startup Grand Challenge: Seventh Edition Thematic Areas
The New Age Alliance - Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
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Problem areas in this thematic area are devised in consultation with iHub and HCI foundation at IIT Mandi (iHub), and the Indian HCI foundation. iHub has sponsored the prize money for this thematic area
The Foothill Innovators Challenge - Build for the Himalayas
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The problem statements in these areas are devised in close communication with the state's Industries Department, HP centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Department of IT, and Labor Commissioner Office-HP
The Habitable World Challenge - Environment and Sustainability
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The problem statements for this area have been developed in partnership with peak ventures, Alsisar Impact, Pollution control board-HP, and National Health Mission-HP.
Each thematic area has prize money of up to Rs 2 Lakh to be distributed between the top 3 start-ups in the given theme. Top start-ups will be provided incubation support and access to funding schemes for prototyping as well product development up to Rs 50 lakh. These startups will also get piloting opportunities in the state.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director IIT Mandi requested entrepreneurs and innovators from the Himachal region to participate in this edition of the HST Startup Grand Challenge 2023 and showcase their innovations and ideas.
IIT Mandi Catalyst
IIT Mandi Catalyst was launched in 2016 by IIT Mandi as the first Technology Business Incubator (TBI) in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Catalyst has supported over 340 startups in a wide range of sectors including clean energy, healthcare, enterprise management, agriculture, manufacturing, biotech, education, and consumer internet.
Catalyst has hosted over 140 such programs till date. Further, the funding needs of startups in the early stages are also met through the funding schemes hosted at Catalyst. Catalyst has disbursed Rs 10 Crore and committed over Rs 17 Crore for prototyping and commercialization purposes to the startups.
