Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park announced six startup winners in their Grand Idea Hunt competition.
The Nurture program, initiated in November 2022, supports the Startup India initiative. Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park jointly held the competition. The winners were selected from the participating startups in the Nurture program.
The startups chosen for the Grand Idea Hunt competition include DriverShaab, Route2Jute, OiHelp, Hopun Innovations, Backyard Creators, and Salutem Ridegear.
DriverShaab operates as a next-generation agile driver aggregation platform, whereas Route2Jute offers sustainable accessories made by prisoners. Additionally, OiHelp provides last-mile hyperlocal delivery and logistics services, and Hopun Innovations aims to develop a 2-seater micro electric car.
Furthermore, Backyard Creators focuses on creating a non-surgical wearable hearing device for individuals with congenital hearing loss. At the same time, Salutem Ridegear manufactures safety products for two-wheeler riders and defence personnel.
Different Stages of the Program
The Incubation program targets startups in the ideation to proof-of-concept stage. The Nurture program provides mentorship and a supportive atmosphere for startups in their early stages from the Eastern and Northeastern regions. The Mobility & Automobile Innovation Lab (MAIL) collaborates with emerging tech startups. The Mobility Challenge focuses on supporting growth-stage startups.
The startups were judged based on competencies such as innovation, business model, and relevance to Maruti Suzuki. The assessment also considered the participating startups’ leadership, team structure, and revenue model.
The winners provided solutions in driver aggregation, jute-based accessories, hyperlocal delivery, micro electric cars, and wearable hearing devices. Their offerings aligned with Maruti Suzuki’s business operations and addressed various domains effectively. An official statement confirmed the startups’ success in meeting the evaluation criteria and delivering relevant solutions.
Aim of the competition
The programs aim to shape startup ideas and help them reach a viable product stage. Selected startups benefit from mentorship and the chance to test their solutions within Maruti Suzuki. The goal is to provide startups with the necessary resources and support for their development and success.
Benefits for the winners of the Grand Idea Hunt
The six startups will undergo a paid Proof-of-Concept to assess their proposed business solutions. Each startup received a cash reward of INR 50,000 and mentorship opportunities from Maruti Suzuki.
As stated earlier, the startups will receive support based on their level of maturity and alignment with Maruti Suzuki. The statement emphasized the importance of mentorship, networking, and startup growth opportunities.
The Proof-of-Concept will help evaluate the feasibility of the proposed solutions in real-world scenarios. Maruti Suzuki aims to provide an ecosystem that supports the startups’ development and success.
The cash reward recognizes the startups’ achievements and encourages further innovation. The startups will benefit from Maruti Suzuki’s resources and expertise in their respective domains.
More about the winners of the Grand Idea Hunt
- DriverShaab facilitates document verification and driving tests for chauffeurs, benefiting unorganized driver centres. Moreover, it aims to introduce technology and enhance income opportunities for drivers. Additionally, the focus extends to elderly individuals and housewives needing drivers for shorter durations. Furthermore, the app offers flexible booking options and payment based on usage.
- Route2 Jute Private Limited, led by directors Jaydip Das and Chaitali Das, was registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on September 16, 2021. The production of eco-friendly accessories and fashion garments is emphasized as a means to revive the jute industry and promote social entrepreneurship. Prisoners are involved in the creation of these sustainable products.
- OiHelp is a platform that simplifies and enhances online ordering and delivery. It offers outstanding features to empower businesses in this space. By utilizing OiHelp’s powerful tools, businesses can optimize efficiency, improve customer experience, and succeed in the online marketplace.
- Hopun Innovations Private Limited was incorporated in Shillong on September 1, 2022. It is a non-government company manufacturing motor vehicles, specifically electrical equipment and components.
- The team of Backyard Creators, consisting of Raman R and Lakshmanan R, is developing a non-surgical adhesive hearing device. Their innovative device is cheaper than traditional hearing aid implants and eliminates the need for risky skull surgery. It is suitable for all ages, including children, and provides speech capabilities after therapy.
- Salutem Ridegear Apparels has been recognized by DIPP as India’s first driving safety apparel manufacturing company under Startup India. Additionally, they excel in R&D and design collaboration, manufacturing biking jackets and gloves with indigenous materials. Notably, their innovative design innovations significantly reduce human body impact by 80% during road accidents.
