KSUM-Hosted Global Impact Challenge Kicks off at Technopark

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The Global Impact Challenge (GIC), jointly organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and the US-based Singularity University (SU), began at Technopark here on Monday, setting a platform for young innovators to pitch their ideas which can be turned into path-breaking technologies positively impacting the society at scale.
Around 25 startups from different states will be showcasing their ideas at the India GIC, which is aimed at inspiring start-ups to find solutions to address global challenges in learning, healthcare and environment sectors. The boot camp was launched today and the finale will be held on July 7.
Inaugurating the event, M. Sivasankar, Secretary IT, Government of Kerala, noted that the level of confidence of startups and student entrepreneurs has remarkably gone up in recent times. “Startups today have become more proactive and have started to come up with quickly implementable solutions,” Sivasankar said.
Citing the case of a startup that offered a timely solution for staving off fake information regarding Nipah virus on social media, Sivasankar said such swift responses from the startups to help the society deal with such situations are appreciated and such good initiatives will have the support by the State Government.
Dr Saji Gopinath, CEO, KSUM welcomed the gathering and Hrishikesh Nair, CEO, Technopark, delivered the keynote address.
Deepu Nath of Faya Innovations gave the opening address about the SU and the GIC. Nagaraga Prakasham, Environment Expert, was among those present on the occasion.
Dibya Prakash, Technology Strategist and Startup Advisor, made the key-note presentation on the “Impact of technology on education” and Anoop Lal, Healthcare Technology Evangelist spoke about the healthcare sector on the first day.
The KSUM has selected 25 finalists belonging to different states from the applicants, which include 11 in healthcare, 8 in environment and 6 in education. The SU is a global community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
The aim of the GIC is to foster moonshot innovations and startups that positively impact the lives of people, with an ability to scale and impact a billion people worldwide in 10 years. On the final day, the best idea will be selected and taken for the SU Incubation programme that lasts for nine weeks.
A host of tech talks as well as workshops will be held during the event. Professionals as well as start-ups, who wish to attend the event, may register via http://bit.ly/2018gicindia.