Chunauti a contest under NextGen Startup Challenge has been launched by the government to help and support startups from small cities. Chunauti – Challenge Hunt Under NGIS for Advanced Uninhibited Technology Intervention, is an online challenge under Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS).

NGIS is Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)’s comprehensive incubation scheme which has the vision to drive the rise of India as a Software Product Nation so as to make India a global player in development, production, and supply of Innovative, Efficient and Secure Software Products.

Last date to apply for the contest is 7th September 2020.

The challenge aims to find the products and solutions to address the issues and challenges faced during and post-pandemic situation. Chunauti is looking to identify and support the solutions which can support Government, industries, and the public at large for their seamless operations and enabling them to face the varied difficulties and bottlenecks amid these situations.

The challenge results in Cloud Credits from leading third-party service providers, seed funding of up to Rs. 25 lakhs will be provided through Financial Institution to each start-up selected through Chunauti under NGIS based on innovative idea, novel solutions, strong team & sound business proposal. The stakeholders include MeitY, STPI, MSH, STPINEXT Initiatives.

Disbursal of seed fund to Start-ups will be based on milestones achieved, periodic review, and recommendations. Seed funding to Start-ups will be against equity participation by STPI or its affiliate. Start-ups who are in the ideation stage may be selected under the pre-incubation program and mentored for up to six months to evolve their business plan and solution around the proposed idea. Each start-up under pre-incubation will be paid ten thousand rupees per month for a period of 6 months.

The challenge invites the applications from Indian Start-ups who are working in domain related to software product development. Start-ups registered with DPIIT under the start-up India program are encouraged to participate in this program.

Individual Academicians, Researchers, Educators, Entrepreneurs, partnership firms, LLPs may also participate, however, if they are selected then they will have to register as a private limited company in the stipulated time, preferably within 3 months.

Edu-tech, Agri-tech, and Fin-tech Solutions for masses, supply chain, logistics, and transportation management, infrastructure and remote monitoring, medical healthcare, diagnostic, preventive & psychological care, jobs and skill development, linguistic tools, and technologies will be the key domains in the challenge.

Ready to work Plug-n-Play incubation space along with high-speed internet access within the constraint of lockdown and thereafter are available. Also, mentoring support, networking opportunities, and Go-to-market support for exhibiting products or solutions through various National and International events, workshops, and exhibitions will be made available.

It also provides full-fledged security & vulnerability testing of Software Products through the dedicated Software Product Security Testing (SPST) facility. Access to VCs for funding support, advisory services such as HR, Legal, Accounting, Patenting, and other support services will be given.

Facilities and services including mentoring, networking and industry connections, marketing support, etc. of the pan-India domain-specific CoEs of STPI may be leveraged. Mentor, experts, industry network of STPI, and MSH will be available.

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Ulka Gear, an Indian manufacturing brand start-up in association with Sirona, an award-winning product innovation brand committed to solving unaddressed menstrual hygiene issues, recently rolled out a unique Instagram contest for its followers. The contest was aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of basic hygiene while biking during the pandemic and increasing the reach of Ulka Gear Hakkit & Sirona India products. 

This contest was held in three legs with more than 250 users participating in total. In the last two legs, two winners were announced- Raveena Virwani (a micro-influencer, Product Reviewer, and a travel freak) and Prakhar (Hotelier and a rider by interest).

The winner of the first leg Prakhar said, “Basic hygiene is of utmost necessity while riding a bike during corona times. I have seen several times that while biking, personal hygiene is completely ignored. The competition was a good way through which one was better able to understand the importance of basic hygiene while traveling.”

“Being a woman traveler and a mother, I know it is how much important to take care of ourselves if I catch diseases and bring it back home, I am putting my entire family at risk, this competition helped us brainstorm several ideas through which one can maintain basic hygiene while riding a bike” winner of the second-leg – Raveena said.

Commenting on the partnership, Ulka Gear Founder Shahnawaz Karim said, “Social media campaigns on platforms like Instagram offer the best way to highlight issues and increase brand awareness. Our association with Sirona India is the first step towards this. This contest was aimed at making people aware of how their seemingly inconsequential actions like keeping gloves inside the helmet while motorcycle riding can lead to the spread of disease-causing germs.”

Deep Bajaj, Founder, and CEO of Sirona said, “Maintaining hygiene has always been very important. The new normal has only brought it to the forefront. To help spread awareness about the same among bikers, who are often highly exposed, Sirona and Ulka rolled out this contest on Instagram. It got high traction and informed people about ways of maintaining hygiene on the go.”

About Ulka Gear

UlkaGear is an innovative and disruptive brand that defies the conventional norms of design & safety. The company is a pioneer in developing the first and only convertible motorcycle jacket. Ulka Gear flagship products include HakkitForever & Hakkit V2. The company has patented the designs of its innovative product range as well as functionality. Ulka Gear is the brainchild of Shahnawaz Karim who is the Founder of this company and inventor of this revolutionary concept.

About Sirona

Sirona is an award-winning product innovation brand, committed to solving those Intimate and Menstrual Hygiene issues for women, which are not adequately addressed in the country.

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