Ashoka University Calls for Startups for Second Cohort of Dalmia AIM Smart City Accelerator programme
New Delhi: In a bid to translate the government’s focus on smart cities into action, Ashoka University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship in association with the Dalmia Bharat Group and Microsoft Accelerator announced application calls for the second cohort of its AIM Smart City Accelerator programme. The joint initiative is aimed at nurturing innovative and committed early-stage startups with unique solutions focused on building a smarter and sustainable India. Following the success of last year, the five-month long programme will also focus on startups in the areas of Education, Healthcare, Transport & Logistics and Infrastructure.
Apart from calling out entries for this year, the event showcased the finalists from last year who have been able to scale-up with funding and mentoring provided with the help of AIM programme. In addition to this, six startups from Ashoka University’s Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) programme were also showcased at the event.
Commenting on the initiative, Priyank Narayan, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University said, “We are elated to announce the second year of this innovative accelerator programme. At Ashoka, it is our constant endeavour to foster critical thinking and entrepreneurship spirit among students and hence, this idea resonates with our core values. It further advocates government’s focus on developing smart cities and gives bright minds a platform to nurture their ideas under the finest academic and industry networks and resources”.
Echoing the same sentiment, Mr. Naveen Asrani, Director, Microsoft India, commented, “Startups that have a focus on building Smart Cities will play an important role to digitally transform India. We are delighted at the progress that the graduating startups have made and we wish them greater success for an exciting entrepreneurship journey. We look forward to continue working with AIM Smart City Accelerator and empower startups working on smart cities solutions”.
Applications for this programme will be shortlisted by 12 April, 2016 on the basis of financial viability, technology feasibility, desirability to target audience, sustainability of the solution and track record of the team.