Students from 31 institutes across India present 170 ideas at Sustainability Hackathon Challenge – Grand Finale at EDII
Gandhinagar : A two-day Sustainability Hackathon Challenge – Grand Finale began on Friday at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India’s (EDII) campus in Ahmedabad. Around 350 students from all over India are participating in the on-going event. Over 170 ideas are being presented by students across 31 institutes from all over India. The hackathon was undertaken to foster sustainable development goals and to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among the students thus boosting the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the country.
EDII launched this National Level Hackathon in February 2023 with a vision to sensitise students to focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the banner of this hackathon, Boot Camps were organised across the country with regional partners and institutions. The 75-day mega National Level Hackathon boot camps witnessed participation from 40,000 students across 31 Institutions from 20 locations across India. Around 15,000 ideas had been screened, out of which 170 ideas have been shortlisted for presentation in the two-day Grand Finale event at EDII campus.
In 75 days, the boot camps provided a platform for the students to create solutions to real-life problems facing society, industries, and government functionaries. These offered credible opportunities to students and institutions to build upon the initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India by undertaking the challenges and converting opportunities into business enterprises.
The inauguration of the Sustainability Hackathon Challenge’s Grand Finale took place at the EDII campus in the presence of Shri SB Dangayach, Founder Trustee, Innovative Thought Forum; CA Mr Bishan R Shah, Founder and Managing Director, Bishan R Shah & Co and Immediate Past Chairman (2022-23) of the Ahmedabad Branch of Western India Regional Council of ICAI, and Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.
Addressing the gathering, Shri SB Dangayach opined, “India is considered one of the top startup hubs in the world, and to strengthen the entrepreneurial environment, the government is stepping up its investment in startups together with other institutions and organisations. That has a significant positive impact on our developing minds. India has a strong business ethic, therefore I encourage young minds to think for the people first in their entrepreneurial journey and contribute to societal good.
The young students will undoubtedly come up with ground-breaking solutions to issues they observe around them, and I am confident they will perform wonderfully well. EDII is doing incredible work when it comes to encouraging creative thinking, educating children, and providing them with the resources they need to succeed as new-age entrepreneurs.”
On the occasion, Dr Sunil Shukla, said, “As a leading organisation promoting entrepreneurship in the nation, EDII seeks to encourage more and more youths to come forward with unique solutions for pressing issues around them. While EDII is commemorating its 40th anniversary, the institute has worked to advance the nation’s culture of startups and entrepreneurship by empowering potential entrepreneurs with the knowledge and abilities they need to proceed with the development and management of new businesses. “
Mr Bishan R Shah thanked EDII for nurturing Entrepreneurship for four decades and extending constant support, guidance, and mentoring people and enabling them to become pioneers in their field. He encouraged young minds to work persistently and strive toward success and accept challenges that come their way.
Out of 175 ideas received, 24 will be finally selected. These will go through a phase of mentorship and guidance to connect with incubators and other ecosystem enablers to receive support and resources such as funding and angel investment.
The event gave the students exposure to various aspects of working in startups and the academicians also got an idea of the various ways to cultivate entrepreneurship amongst the students.