After the success of the India Innovation Initiative (i3) last year, which brought several cutting-edge ideas forward, the partnership of Agilent Technologies, Department of Science & Technology (Government of India) and Confederation of Indian Industry is back to launch the fourth season of the nationwide innovation competition for all innovators.
Last year, the total number of innovation entries was around 800. Preliminary selection rounds through four regional fairs were held in Bangalore, Kharagpur, Mumbai and NOIDA. The top three winners showcased at the i3 2011 National Fair were: A low temperature heat engine, an unbreakable multidirectional LED based lighting system and an economic process for microbial cellulose production.
i3 continues to be successful in reaching out to innovators across all ages and geographies. This year, i3 has on board reputed Incubator partners who will lend incubation, mentorship and knowledge support to the innovators. With this, i3 aims to further build on its commitment towards encouraging innovation in the country.
Commenting on the launch of i3 2012, Mr. Parmeet S. Ahuja, President and Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies India, said “We continue to be heartened by the response i3 receives. Each year, the number and quality of innovation entries has steadily improved. Two entries from 2011 have been successfully incubated by one of our partners. This year, we have tied up with a larger number of Incubator partners, who have helped to define innovation areas for i3 submissions. This will further refine our selection process and also improve the probability of an idea reaching the commercialization stage.”
“Agilent remains committed towards encouraging innovation in the country. Along with our partners, we want to use the platform of i3 and build robustness and transparency into the entire process, so that more innovators feel motivated to come forward with their ideas,” he added.
According to Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Head, National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, “Innovation is becoming the key for economic development across the world. India with its fundamental challenges, associated with its huge population base and a large economic and cultural diversity, needs to inculcate innovation at all levels. Developing an efficient innovation ecosystem is essential. India Innovation Initiative-i3 is such a mechanism, which aims to build the innovation ecosystem in the country by helping individual innovators of exceptional merit. With its last year’s success of creating technology start- ups, this year i3 is focusing on bringing more incubation and funding support for its participants.”
According to Dr. Naushad Forbes, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, National Innovation Committee, “CII is committed towards strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in India in a sustainable manner. Aligning with this goal, India Innovation Initiative-i3, in 2012, focuses primarily on commercialization of innovations through incubation, technology refinement and financial support. This will provide an effective platform of collaborations towards spinning off technology ventures in India. This PPP initiative will go a long way in facilitating ideas reaching market.”
ABOUT i3
i3 provides a unique platform to upcoming innovators by giving them an opportunity to not only showcase their innovations but bringing them to life under the global expertise of Agilent Technologies in transforming innovations into products, the strong knowledge based networks of DST and the demand base for innovations from CII.
With a distinct challenge based format, the nation-wide competition is open for all innovators in India in the age group of 18+ years. Interested participants can register online at www.innovationgrid.org/i3.
The entries will judged on five parameters namely- creativity, innovation, implementation strategy and relevance by an expert panel of judges comprising of eminent scientists, industrialists and experts. Winners will be awarded with special cash prizes and selected innovations with potential for commercialization will get an opportunity to engage with incubators and examine their ideas for real-world marketability. in addition to other awards, recognition and support.
ABOUT THE PROMOTERS
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, diagnostics, electronics and communications. The company’s 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
Department of Science and Technology endeavors to create a strong knowledge society. It does not only enable academicians and researchers to generate knowledge, but through its science and technology communication wing, it tries to demonstrate technologies and popularize the use of science at grass root level. In order to take its message to the people, it employs various techniques such as holding congresses, seminar/symposia, capacity building training exercises, help from print and digital media etc. More information about NCSTC is available atww.dst.gov.in/scientific-programme/s-t_ncstc.htm.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative processes.
CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India's development process. Founded over 116 years ago, it is India's premier business association, with a direct membership of over 8100 organisations from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 90,000 companies from around 400 national and regional sectoral associations.
CII catalyses change by working closely with government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. It also provides a platform for sectoral consensus building and networking. Major emphasis is laid on projecting a positive image of business, assisting industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes. Partnerships with over 120 NGOs across the country carry forward our initiatives in integrated and inclusive development, which include health, education, livelihood, diversity management, skill development and water, to name a few.
CII has taken up the agenda of “Business for Livelihood” for the year 2011-12. This converges the fundamental themes of spreading growth to disadvantaged sections of society, building skills for meeting emerging economic compulsions, and fostering a climate of good governance. In line with this, CII is placing increased focus on Affirmative Action, Skills Development and Governance during the year.
With 64 offices and 7 Centres of Excellence in India, and 7 overseas offices in Australia, China, France, Singapore, South Africa, UK, and USA, as well as institutional partnerships with 223 counterpart organisations in 90 countries, CII serves as a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community.
Sourced From: Corporate Voice I Weber Shandwick
Last year, the total number of innovation entries was around 800. Preliminary selection rounds through four regional fairs were held in Bangalore, Kharagpur, Mumbai and NOIDA. The top three winners showcased at the i3 2011 National Fair were: A low temperature heat engine, an unbreakable multidirectional LED based lighting system and an economic process for microbial cellulose production.
i3 continues to be successful in reaching out to innovators across all ages and geographies. This year, i3 has on board reputed Incubator partners who will lend incubation, mentorship and knowledge support to the innovators. With this, i3 aims to further build on its commitment towards encouraging innovation in the country.
Commenting on the launch of i3 2012, Mr. Parmeet S. Ahuja, President and Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies India, said “We continue to be heartened by the response i3 receives. Each year, the number and quality of innovation entries has steadily improved. Two entries from 2011 have been successfully incubated by one of our partners. This year, we have tied up with a larger number of Incubator partners, who have helped to define innovation areas for i3 submissions. This will further refine our selection process and also improve the probability of an idea reaching the commercialization stage.”
“Agilent remains committed towards encouraging innovation in the country. Along with our partners, we want to use the platform of i3 and build robustness and transparency into the entire process, so that more innovators feel motivated to come forward with their ideas,” he added.
According to Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Head, National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, “Innovation is becoming the key for economic development across the world. India with its fundamental challenges, associated with its huge population base and a large economic and cultural diversity, needs to inculcate innovation at all levels. Developing an efficient innovation ecosystem is essential. India Innovation Initiative-i3 is such a mechanism, which aims to build the innovation ecosystem in the country by helping individual innovators of exceptional merit. With its last year’s success of creating technology start- ups, this year i3 is focusing on bringing more incubation and funding support for its participants.”
According to Dr. Naushad Forbes, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, National Innovation Committee, “CII is committed towards strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in India in a sustainable manner. Aligning with this goal, India Innovation Initiative-i3, in 2012, focuses primarily on commercialization of innovations through incubation, technology refinement and financial support. This will provide an effective platform of collaborations towards spinning off technology ventures in India. This PPP initiative will go a long way in facilitating ideas reaching market.”
ABOUT i3
i3 provides a unique platform to upcoming innovators by giving them an opportunity to not only showcase their innovations but bringing them to life under the global expertise of Agilent Technologies in transforming innovations into products, the strong knowledge based networks of DST and the demand base for innovations from CII.
With a distinct challenge based format, the nation-wide competition is open for all innovators in India in the age group of 18+ years. Interested participants can register online at www.innovationgrid.org/i3.
The entries will judged on five parameters namely- creativity, innovation, implementation strategy and relevance by an expert panel of judges comprising of eminent scientists, industrialists and experts. Winners will be awarded with special cash prizes and selected innovations with potential for commercialization will get an opportunity to engage with incubators and examine their ideas for real-world marketability. in addition to other awards, recognition and support.
ABOUT THE PROMOTERS
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, diagnostics, electronics and communications. The company’s 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
Department of Science and Technology endeavors to create a strong knowledge society. It does not only enable academicians and researchers to generate knowledge, but through its science and technology communication wing, it tries to demonstrate technologies and popularize the use of science at grass root level. In order to take its message to the people, it employs various techniques such as holding congresses, seminar/symposia, capacity building training exercises, help from print and digital media etc. More information about NCSTC is available atww.dst.gov.in/scientific-programme/s-t_ncstc.htm.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative processes.
CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India's development process. Founded over 116 years ago, it is India's premier business association, with a direct membership of over 8100 organisations from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 90,000 companies from around 400 national and regional sectoral associations.
CII catalyses change by working closely with government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. It also provides a platform for sectoral consensus building and networking. Major emphasis is laid on projecting a positive image of business, assisting industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes. Partnerships with over 120 NGOs across the country carry forward our initiatives in integrated and inclusive development, which include health, education, livelihood, diversity management, skill development and water, to name a few.
CII has taken up the agenda of “Business for Livelihood” for the year 2011-12. This converges the fundamental themes of spreading growth to disadvantaged sections of society, building skills for meeting emerging economic compulsions, and fostering a climate of good governance. In line with this, CII is placing increased focus on Affirmative Action, Skills Development and Governance during the year.
With 64 offices and 7 Centres of Excellence in India, and 7 overseas offices in Australia, China, France, Singapore, South Africa, UK, and USA, as well as institutional partnerships with 223 counterpart organisations in 90 countries, CII serves as a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community.
Sourced From: Corporate Voice I Weber Shandwick
