This summit culminates a three-month accelerator program which was designed by Josh Talks in partnership with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park with the intention nurture 16 influence startups working throughout sectors resembling local weather motion, transport, metropolis planning, vitality and extra. These startups have been handpicked by way of a rigorous analysis course of from over 350 candidates.
The Metropolis Champions program started in April this 12 months by inviting functions throughout 8 thematic sectors. The accelerator program kicked-off in late July and included publicity to 16 startups by way of digital periods with business leaders, 1:1 mentorship from IIM-C consultants, entry to funders and potential enterprise companions by way of bodily boot camps held throughout Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi.
The summit supplied a platform to foster discussions on constructing higher cities for a Viksit Bharat and funding the way forward for city improvement in India. Supriya Paul, CEO & Co-founder of Josh Talks mentioned in a press release, “For the reason that time we launched Metropolis Champions in 2023, we’ve reached over 17 million folks throughout India. In our second version, we’ve witnessed firsthand the outstanding influence these startups are having in our cities. It’s essential we painting them as function fashions and rejoice their tales that carry all of us nearer to constructing a future the place each city house thrives.”
Shilpa Kumar, Accomplice at Omidyar Community India mentioned in a press release, “It’s been inspiring to see the unimaginable work of the 16 startups who’re a part of the Metropolis Champions program. The innovators are actually the guts of city improvement efforts and it’s vital we assist them in bringing to market and / or scale. That has been our focus by way of this partnership and we’d like extra such initiatives that empower and rejoice these champions, as they maintain the important thing to creating our cities extra habitable and inclusive for everybody.”
This 12 months’s panels introduced collectively leaders in city improvement, resembling Rajiv Ranjan Mishra – Former Director Common, Nationwide Mission for Clear Ganga; UG Sujatha, VP – International Partnerships and Web Zero, Make investments India; Ruchira Shukla, Managing Accomplice & Co-founder, Synapses VC; Gagan Sidhu, Director – CEEW amongst others.Omidyar Community India additionally prolonged a Rs 25 Lakh grant to at least one standout organisation within the cohort- Geo Local weather Danger Options (GCRS).