UG/PG students and fresh graduates can pitch their venture ideas across different themes till June 10

StartupIndia SmartIDEAthon encourages student innovators help build sustainable and resilient communities through social innovation

Hyderabad, June 2023: StartupIndia SmartIDEAthon — an annual pan-India mega pitch-fest by GITAM (Deemed to be University) for undergraduate and postgraduate student innovators to showcase  their entrepreneurial ideas — is accepting applications for innovative ideas by Indian students across four themes: Food & Health, Toys for STEM, Sustainable Fashion and Frugal Innovation till June 10, 2023. The pitch fest will culminate in a reality show-style grand finale on August 24-25 at GITAM’s Hyderabad campus.

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The student pitching competition is inviting individuals and ideation-level startups to pitch ideas for sustainable and resilient community building. It is organized by Venture Development Centre, GITAM (Deemed to be University) in collaboration with StartupIndia, Northeastern University Center for Emerging Markets, Boston and Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education (NUCEE), Boston.

Winning student entrepreneurs stand a chance to win personalised coaching and bootcamps by internationally-trained venture coaches, a sponsored trip to the USA to showcase at Boston Entrepreneurship Week, and cash and grants worth 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 Round 1, a panel of top venture leaders will review the submitted minute-long video pitches and presentations for relevance and innovation. Up to 100 shortlisted applicants will make it to Round 2 and be invited for online Bootcamp sessions and coaching by ace entrepreneurship practitioners. After the panel re-assesses submitted ideas for innovation, scalability and impact, 32 shortlisted teams from Round 2 get to walk into the semi-finals.

The semi-finals and the grand finale will be organised in person at GITAM’s Hyderabad campus, where the teams will network with industry experts, entrepreneurs and other prominent guests. The competition hots up and finally only eight teams will pitch to an eminent jury and live audience on stage in an auditorium setting.

The 2022 edition of SmartIDEAthon challenge proved to be cradle of innovation & entrepreneurial spirit as 1200+ students from across 28 states and 3 UTs pitched socially innovative startup ideas. Last year, students of Netaji Subhash University of Technology from Bihar’s Hajipur — Animesh Kumar and Hrithik Jaiswal emerged winners — made a winning pitch for their startup Feetwings, which develops 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 any undergraduate or postgraduate programs and recent graduates can showcase their venture ideas in teams not exceeding two members.

Important Dates for SmartIDEAthon 2023:

Applications will be accepted till June 10, followed by round 1 results on June 22 and Round 2 Results on July 15. Semi-Finals will be held on August 24 and the Grand Finale on August 25, 2023.

About GITAM (Deemed to be University) GITAM was founded in 1980 by an inspired group of eminent intellectuals and industrialists of Andhra Pradesh led by Dr M. V. V. S. Murthi, a former Member of Parliament and popular philanthropist. Located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, it also has campuses in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Collectively, the four campuses have 12 Schools offering 112  UG and PG Programmes,  under their wing, in addition to PhD. Programme. Over the years, GITAM (Deemed to be University) has taken part in many social activities and has also produced many renowned personalities.

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