The Government of Karnataka, through its Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, has announced a call for innovative solutions in an effort to address critical water and sanitation issues in rural areas.
The department is seeking proposals from startups, entrepreneurs, and companies to solve pressing challenges such as inconsistent water supply, groundwater dependence, water contamination, climate change impacts, energy inefficiency, and operational issues related to managing multi-village schemes (MVS) and single-village schemes (SVS).
The initiative is part of the Karnataka Rural Water and Sanitation Summit, aimed at encouraging innovators to present solutions for water scarcity and sanitation in rural regions. Participants will compete for a minimum funding of Rs 25 lakh to bring their ideas to life.
Key Details:
- Solutions Needed: The state government is specifically looking for innovations that can tackle issues like inconsistent water supply, water quality contamination, climate change impacts on resources, and energy efficiency challenges. Solutions should be sustainable and scalable for rural environments.
- Who Can Apply: The government has opened the doors to startups, entrepreneurs, and established companies across sectors, with existing products or prototypes that address water purification, waste management, or sanitation infrastructure. Applicants must demonstrate a viable business model and the ability to create a measurable impact on rural communities.
Application Process:
- Applicants are required to submit a business plan or executive summary, along with a pitch deck outlining their solution, market potential, revenue model, and team structure. The submission should also include evidence of product viability, such as prototypes or pilot project feedback, as well as proof of identity like Aadhar, PAN, or GST documentation.
- The application deadline is set for 23rd October 2024, and proposals must be submitted through the designated form, which also requires personal details such as the applicant’s name, company information, designation, and contact details. Eligible applicants can be individuals, companies, or organizations such as NGOs and trusts.
Pitching Guidelines and Selection:
- Selection Process: Applications will be initially shortlisted based on the pitch deck submissions. Shortlisted participants will then present their ideas in person during the summit, where each startup will have 10 minutes to pitch, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A with a panel of jurors.
- Criteria: The evaluation will focus on innovation, feasibility in rural settings, sustainability, scalability, and the capabilities of the applicant’s team.
- Key Benefits: In addition to the minimum funding of Rs 25 lakh, selected startups will have the chance to showcase their solutions to industry leaders, receive feedback from experts, and gain networking opportunities with stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector. They will also have the opportunity to pilot their solutions in collaboration with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department.
As per the details shared by the social media page of IT BTÂ Department, the winners, particularly those based outside Karnataka, will need to register with the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) following the summit to further collaborate with the state government.
This initiative reflects Karnataka’s continued commitment to fostering innovation and addressing the state’s most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges. By involving startups and the broader entrepreneurial community, the government hopes to develop practical and scalable solutions that will have a lasting impact on rural water management and sanitation efforts.
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