THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Ten startups with riveting ideas will compete in the grand finale of the ongoing Global Impact Challenge (GIC), jointly organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and the US-based Singularity University (SU), at Technopark here on Saturday (July 7).
The grand finalists were selected from the 24 startups that pitched their ideas on Friday. The KSUM had selected 25 finalists belonging to different states from the applicants, who included 11 in healthcare, 8 in environment and 6 in education.
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. The SU is a global community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
The India GIC, from July 2 to 7, aims at identifying inspiring startups trying to find solutions addressing global challenges in learning, healthcare and environment sectors. The boot camp of the event was launched on the opening day and the pitch day was held on July 6. The best idea in the grand finale will be taken for the SU Incubation Programme that lasts nine weeks.
Speaking on “GIC Incubation Programme” at the event, Rejina Njima, Director, Global Impact Competitions, Singularity University, noted that the GIC is a platform to identify outstanding entrepreneurs, leaders and technologists.
“We are looking for people who are technologists, problem experts and accomplished entrepreneurs. They must have innovation solution for an urgent global grand challenge,” she said, adding that the GIC has commitment to launch and create viable start-ups.
Besides India, the GIC is currently going on in Japan and South Korea. Dr. Jayasankar Prasad, Director, ICFOSS and Leader, SU Trivandrum Chapter, also spoke on the occasion.
Professionals as well as start-ups, who wish to attend the finale, may register via http://bit.ly/2018gicindia.
