Can change take place in a day? Can innovation take place in a day? If you agree, then YOU have arrived at the right destination.
IITM RTBI and IBM’s - Innovation Drive for Impact is a fusion of entrepreneurs, software developers and social change makers coming together with a common objective to solve pressing problems in our society. This is a ’one day Hackathon' event where participant teams create new apps, new businesses or improve on existing ones, to make disruptive and positive changes in the society and environment. These 12 hours will largely comprise of development of applications that could lead to sustainable businesses, broadly based on themes outlined below, with guidance from an esteemed mentor panel.
For those who dream of making a change in society, this is a wonderful platform to showcase their ideas and solutions; for RTBI-IBM, this is a chance to bring some of these ideas to life through technology tools and incubation support.
When it comes to an information technology platform to build, deploy and manage a solution in a secure way, IBM makes available to participants of this Hackathon, a free access to its cloud service called Bluemix - a developer's dream platform with all the tools and services he/she needs to build applications drawing on a range of services including information management, analytics, mobility, security and even the more powerful Watson Services and the Internet-of-Things. Read more about Bluemix here
Since 2006 IIT Madras' Rural Technology and Business Incubator (RTBI) aims to support rural and social inclusive start-ups, primarily those that enable scalable products and services for the under-served and bottom-of-the-pyramid segment. RTBI is looking at this event to foster new ideas, new technologies and new business models that could have a rural and social impact, and possibly offering incubation support to a select few.
Today, innovators in India believe firmly in the need to bridge the digital divide and improve the quality of life in rural India. IBM believes that technology is a great enabler and catalyst in tapping such ideas and giving innovators a platform to create form and shape to their ideas from concept to completion as far as information technology is concerned. The convergence of disruptive technologies such as the cloud, analytics, mobility, social and security on a platform such as IBM Bluemix only makes it easy for innovators to focus more of their energies on building a solution rather than get slowed down in dabbling with technology and getting its various components to work together.
IBM by partnering with IITM's RTBI believes it can bring to the table the platform and its knowledge base via its mentorship to help startup companies and entrepreneurs to come up with the much needed solutions to problems and challenges of rural India.
Welcome to hacking, innovating and creating applications that make a difference to people’s lives and to the world. We have outlined below some focus themes that pose major challenges to the country and world at large. These are meant to inspire, not constrain and you are free to develop an app on a theme that you feel has the most relevant social and/or rural impact.
When one finds an animal in distress in the neighbourhood, it should be possible to know about and contact relevant organizations/individuals (such as vets) in the immediate vicinity for assistance
Environment conscious individuals can track the amount of waste generated in their house and effects on the environment, helping them reduce and properly dispose waste
Water stress is a major problem in both urban and rural areas. Apart from action at national and river basin levels, addressing water scarcity requires actions at local/household level. Solutions can be developed to analyse the rainfall data and potential of roof top rainwater harvesting.
A large number of school going children (6- 14 years old) in rural and urban areas are not having access to qulaity education. An innovative, practical and technology based solution to learn the subjects effectively is needed.
Micro & Small Enterprises need information & assistance if they are looking to scale/expand their activities
Reviving Grandma's recipes/remedies (using traditonal food/ingredients) - trials & reviews.
Dr. Ashwin Mahalingam is a faculty at IIT Madras, and an entrepreneur too. Interactions with aspiring entrepreneurs, is something he looks forward to.
Mr. Arun Prakash is an Incubatee at IITM's RTBI. He knows the journey from being a student, landing that perfect IT job, and leaving that to start an impact driven entreprise.
Mr. Senthil Nathan, rich experience in entrepreneurship. Long associate of the Incubation ecosystem at IIT Madras. A fantastic mentor!
Mr. Pradip Subramanian, if you want to know how to take innovations to the market. He is the person you want to have a chat with.
Dr. Gaurav Raina, a student's delight to have him teach their class. Intuitive ability to tell what will work based on the needs as defined in the problem statement.
Dr. Nadeem Akhtar, a very observant expert who will in a simple manner surface an aspect that we would have completely ignored.
Mr. Anil Kumar SG, a seasoned finance professional but CEO of a young start-up, his vast experience and unbounded enthusiasm makes him an inspiring mentor.
Ms. Rao is deeply committed to women's education, empowerment and entrepreneurship. Offering her earnest support to our event, the participants can hugely benefit from her guidance
31st October 2015
5th November 2015
14th November 2015
28th November 2015
Watch this space for announcement about the prizes on offer. We promise you will not be disappointed!!
RTBI, Module#6, I Floor IITM Research Park, Kanagam Road,
Tharamani, Chennai 600 113
P: 9962550195
Email: hackathon@rtbi.in