Applications Invited for Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-20205

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About the Organization

Atal Innovation Mission is a flagship initiative of Government of India to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Its objective is to create a facilitating environment for the transformation of ideas into innovative and impactful solutions at schools, universities, research institutions, MSMEs, and industry levels across the country.

UNDP works across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions so they can sustain their progress.

About the Challenge

In India, Youth Co:Lab was launched in 2019 by UNDP India in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. As of the end of 2024, Youth Co:Lab has conducted six national theme-specific youth social innovation and entrepreneurship dialogues in India through this collaboration. This includes several forms of engagements, panel discussions, workshops, dialogues, and webinars. Youth Co:Lab also supports social entrepreneurs through a long-term incubation programme, with selected entrepreneurs representing India at the regional summit.

The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-2025 in India, held in collaboration with AssisTech Foundation (ATF) will focus on empowering young entrepreneurs & entrepreneurs with disabilities innovating for solutions that “Enhance access to opportunities and well-being of Persons with Disabilities”, across the following sub-categories:

• Inclusive and accessible assistive technology
• Inclusive educational technology and skilling solutions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
• Care services models and solutions for PwDs

Benefits:

Shortlisted Participants of Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge in India 2024-25 will benefit from:

• National Springboard Programme: Top 35 startups will gain access to a 2 Month virtual incubation program designed to refine their business models, enhance product-market fit, and receive hands-on mentorship from industry leaders, culminating in a comprehensive growth strategy.
• 5 Day in-person bootcamp: Top 20 startups will be invited to an immersive bootcamp featuring workshops, expert-led sessions, and personalized mentoring, focusing on scaling operations, investment readiness, and strategic partnerships to drive enterprise growth.
• Seed Grants: Funding opportunities worth INR 1.5 - 2.5 Lacs each for the top 6 startups to foster innovation and provide initial support towards growth.
• Regional Recognition: A chance to represent India at the Regional Asia-Pacific Youth Co:Lab Summit. The Regional Youth Co:Lab Summit provides young entrepreneurs with access to technical and business mentors, networking opportunities, and a doorway to learning and acceleration opportunities.

Eligibility

• Youth-led startups (18-29 years; extended to 32 for marginalized groups, including PwDs).
• Solution that addresses one or more of this year’s focus areas: Inclusive Assistive Technology, Accessible Education and Skilling, or Innovative Care Models.
• The startup/team, if incorporated, should be less than 5 years old, i.e. the formation of the founding team/startup should be during or after December 2019. Must have a working prototype or product ready for deployment.

We encourage:

• Ideas/solutions that are viable and scalable.
• Startup teams led by Women, SOGIE / LGBTI+ individuals, persons with disabilities (PwDs), Tribal youth, Dalit youth, individuals from marginalized castes, and religious minorities. Therefore, for them, the age limit of the founders is extended up to 32 years.

How to Apply

Apply Now!

Are you a passionate youth entrepreneur or innovator working towards disability inclusion? Here’s your chance to make a difference. Apply now to build impactful solutions and be part of an inclusive, global community.

Application deadline January 18, 2024, 23:59 IST

For more information please check the Link

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