Overall, i3 2012 saw around 600 entries for innovation this year. i3 is the successful partnership between Agilent Technologies, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to create and sustain an ecosystem of innovation and encourage innovators of all ages and backgrounds. A jury panel comprising eminent industry bodies, reputed incubator partners, scientists, business management experts and government representatives came together to evaluated each of the finalists’ entries. The initiative is being supported by government and non-government incubator and investor associations for incubation, entrepreneurship and marketability. There will be other awards, recognition and support to winners.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Parmeet S. Ahuja, President and Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies India said, “This is the fourth year of i3. We continue to be heartened by the strong response we receive from across the country; it highlights the importance of avenues like i3 to bring out the hidden talent India possesses, not just in large metros, but in far-flung rural areas as well. It makes us proud that Agilent can play a small role in this.” “In order to bring true value to the winning innovators, we have partnered with prestigious government and private institutes like TIFAC– TREMAP, NSTEDB, Indian Angel Network, and ITT among others. These partnerships will mentor and incubate the winners and provide them the necessary support and checkpoints to make their ideas a marketable reality. In this way, i3 will truly become a benchmark for innovation,” he added.
“The innovation ecosystem in the country is taking shape gradually. Among various initiatives of Department of Science and Technology to spread the awareness of inclusive innovation, India Innovation Innitiative – i3 is uniquely positioned to nurture innovators from across the society. For last 3 years i3 has evolved from merely an awareness program to a facilitating mechanism which provides incubation, funding, industry connect and other supports to grassroot innovators”,” said B. P. Singh, Head NCSTC, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
Anjan Das, Senior Director, CII highlighted, “i3 in its 4th consecutive year has matured as a model that exemplifies joint collaboration between industry and government. CII's goal has been to encourage and facilitate innovation not only in industry but also in society, as we strongly believe that India has great potential for creating innovations at the grass-root level. Through partnership with DST, its incubators in NSTEDB, industry body like Agilent, angel investors and other institutional mechanisms the initiative has created a platform where innovators could find new avenues to explore and expand their dreams of improving and commercializing their innovations. "
The top five cash award winners selected by the national jury were
· First Prize : Dilip Shrinivas Velaskar for his Thrombochek Test to reduce Thrombotic Mortality
· Second Prize : Anirudh Thakur for hydro operated jute and paper bag making machine
· Third Prize: Sabarinath C Nair for a simple, intuitive & gamified simulation for welding training, helping trainers to train upto 4 times their current batch size with much better focus on fundamentals
· Fourth Prize: Shrikant Kunden for Digital Location System
· Fifth Prize : Adess Singh for a device to trap particulate matter ( smoke) from engine exhaust, without increasing backpressure
Young innovator Awards
Shashank Deshpande for communicate – A communication glove for deaf and dumb
Pranay Jain and Anshul Singal for TacRead – A tactile readout device for the visually
Srinivas M Dhanabalan – Intelligent automobile software
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 get their ideas incubated, in addition to other awards, recognition and support.
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 20,500 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had revenues of $6.9 billion in fiscal 2012. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) is the apex body of the Government of India set up with the objectives of popularization of Science and Technology (S&T) and stimulation of science and technological temper among people. NCSTC supports research and development in the area of S&T communication, develops software in different languages, helps prepare competent science communicators through short- and long term courses, encourages and recognizes outstanding communicators and institutions involved in S&T popularization and organizes state/country-wide field projects. NCSTC maintains up-to-date databases in areas of relevance to S&T communication. More information about NCSTC is available at www.dst.gov.in/scientific-programme/s-t_ncstc.htm
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
CII works to create and sustain an environment conducive to growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative process. CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led to industry-managed organization, playing a proactive role in India’s development process. Founded over 115 years ago, it is India’s premier business association, with a direct membership of over 8100 organizations 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. More information about CII is available at www.cii.in.
