Latest news with #YouthCo:LabNationalInnovationChallenge
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Six Youth-Led Startups Championing Disability-Inclusive Innovation Win Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25
Bengaluru: Six youth-led startups have been named winners of the 7th Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024–25 held for their innovative solutions that advance disability inclusion and accessibility. The winning ventures were selected from across India for their bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to transforming the lives of persons with disabilities through technology, education, and inclusive care models. Co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, organized together with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and implemented by AssisTech Foundation (ATF), Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge has become a platform for empowering youth-led innovation and advancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hosted in collaboration with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bangalore, the winners were announced at the culmination of a five-day residential bootcamp held recently. This programme brought together 18 youth-led startups—selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide—for mentorship, technical guidance, and opportunities to refine and present their solutions. This seventh edition of the Youth Co:Lab Innovation Challenge focused on empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs with disabilities, fostering solutions that enhance access, opportunity, and well-being for persons with disabilities. Following a high-impact jury evaluation on 12 June, six startups were selected for their scalable, high-impact solutions across three key categories: Inclusive and Accessible Assistive Technology (AT), Inclusive Educational Technology and Skilling Solutions and Accessible and Inclusive Care Models. The Three Winning Startups and 3 Runners Up of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25 are the following Winners Yadukrishnan K, Mediqor Aid Technologies, Sanchit Jhunjhunwala, Translead Medtech, Nidhi, NEMA AI. Runners-Up Duplikhum L Langtithonger, Zeliang Codetech, Shraddha Agarwal, SignSetu, Srishti Srivastava, Infiheal Healthtech. Each of the winning startups received tailored seed support of INR 3,00,000 along with capacity-building opportunities. The three runners-up were also recognized for their promising contributions and awarded INR 2,00,000 each to further develop their solutions and scale their impact. The winners were felicitated by Amit Kumar, Head- Sustainable Inclusive Growth, UNDP India and Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation. Furthermore, a special address was delivered virtually by Manmeet Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Speaking at the event, Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, 'Since 2019, Youth Co:Lab has grown into a pan-India movement — empowering over 250 youth-led ventures from every region of the country. These young innovators come from all walks of life, but their solutions are driving deep social impact — reaching those who need it most, including rural, tribal, and underserved communities'. She added, 'These startups are not only tackling complex local challenges — they are scaling, creating jobs, building innovation ecosystems, and taking homegrown ideas to the global stage. This year's focus on disability-led innovation is a powerful step toward a more inclusive startup landscape. With nearly 27 million persons with disabilities in India, we must ensure innovation works for everyone. Together with Atal Innovation Mission, Citi Foundation, and AssisTech Foundation, we are proud to back grassroots solutions that advance accessibility, dignity, and opportunity — from every corner of India to the world.' Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation, emphasized his view on youth innovation, 'Innovative solutions that advance accessibility and inclusion, especially those led by young entrepreneurs from the disability community, must be championed through platforms like Youth Co:Lab. At AssisTech Foundation (ATF), we are proud to have partnered with UNDP, Citi Foundation and AIM for the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge, as we recognize the importance of supporting solutions that address underserved and often overlooked areas of need.' The entrepreneurs also received a virtual message of encouragements from Sanjana Sanghi, Actor, and UNDP Champion and Subhayu Mishra, Managing Director and Head Global Public Affairs, India and South Asia - Communications, Marketing, Citi India. Youth Co:Lab, co-created in 2017 by UNDP and Citi Foundation, aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth, so that they can advance the implementation of SDGs. Youth Co:Lab was launched in India in 2019 with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog. Since 2019, Youth Co:Lab has supported more than 250 youth-led social enterprises in India, spanning diverse thematic areas such as climate action, gender equality, sustainable consumption, and mental health.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UNDP's 'Inspiring India': showcases India's innovations for Sustainable Development Goals
New Delhi: The third edition of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India's flagship magazine, 'Inspiring India' highlights the stories of inspiring leaders, changemakers, and groundbreaking innovations driving progress across the country. The magazine edition, launched recently, features a special message from Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It brings forth stories showcasing transformative initiatives like strides in digital health U-WIN, growing entrepreneurial ecosystem with a feature on Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, and his WTFund, Nigar Shah, the trailblazer scientist behind the country's first solar mission and an inspiration for women in STEM, UNDP India Youth Champion Sanjana Sanghi who shared her reflections as a young artist. UNDP National Advocate for SDGs Bhumi Pednekar has emphasised on how small actions and mindful choices can drive sustainable change. Through spotlighting powerful stories and groundbreaking ideas, this edition of 'Inspiring India' celebrates the people, and the actions and innovations driving meaningful change across the country. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, "This edition marks the third in the Inspiring India series, and we at UNDP are excited for you to explore the incredible stories of innovation within. With these interviews and features, we invite you into a world where simple solutions spark extraordinary change. We hope you are inspired to start your own journeys because innovation is not just about a good idea--it is a way of life in India, where even the smallest actions can create a better future for us all." The issue includes an exclusive interview with UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh, who continues to advocate for gender equality globally. The magazine also features a compelling story on the iconic Jaipur Foot and sheds light on its impact on mobility and dignity for persons with disabilities. The magazine showcased how women farmers in Telangana have pioneered an ingenious new seed storage method in response to climate change disruptions. A feature on the IIT Madras student-led innovation lab highlighted cutting-edge solutions emerging from India's youth, the statement highlighted. The issue further highlights six standout stories from the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge supported by the Atal Innovation Mission to enable social entrepreneurs, along with five groundbreaking inventions accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goals. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
26-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
UNDP's 'Inspiring India' magazine showcases India's innovations for Sustainable Development Goals
New Delhi: The third edition of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India's flagship magazine, 'Inspiring India' highlights the stories of inspiring leaders, changemakers, and groundbreaking innovations driving progress across the country. The magazine edition, launched recently, features a special message from Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It brings forth stories showcasing transformative initiatives like strides in digital health U-WIN, growing entrepreneurial ecosystem with a feature on Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, and his WTFund, Nigar Shah, the trailblazer scientist behind the country's first solar mission and an inspiration for women in STEM, UNDP India Youth Champion Sanjana Sanghi who shared her reflections as a young artist. UNDP National Advocate for SDGs Bhumi Pednekar has emphasised on how small actions and mindful choices can drive sustainable change. Through spotlighting powerful stories and groundbreaking ideas, this edition of 'Inspiring India' celebrates the people, and the actions and innovations driving meaningful change across the country. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, "This edition marks the third in the Inspiring India series, and we at UNDP are excited for you to explore the incredible stories of innovation within. With these interviews and features, we invite you into a world where simple solutions spark extraordinary change. We hope you are inspired to start your own journeys because innovation is not just about a good idea--it is a way of life in India, where even the smallest actions can create a better future for us all." The issue includes an exclusive interview with UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh, who continues to advocate for gender equality globally. The magazine also features a compelling story on the iconic Jaipur Foot and sheds light on its impact on mobility and dignity for persons with disabilities. The magazine showcased how women farmers in Telangana have pioneered an ingenious new seed storage method in response to climate change disruptions. A feature on the IIT Madras student-led innovation lab highlighted cutting-edge solutions emerging from India's youth, the statement highlighted. The issue further highlights six standout stories from the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge supported by the Atal Innovation Mission to enable social entrepreneurs, along with five groundbreaking inventions accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goals.
