LocationsInnovating for Impact: Six Start-ups Emerge as Winners for Pioneering Solutions in India's Socio-Economic Landscape
May 16, 2024
New Delhi, May 16: The 6th Edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Dialogue concluded today with six start-ups emerging as winners, pioneering solutions to address challenges faced by small-scale farmers through AgriTech, innovative solutions for tribal communities, and advanced assistive technology.
Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. In India, Youth Co:Lab was launched in 2019 in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog.
The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Dialogue in India is held annually, dedicated to fostering social innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in India. The 2023 – 2024 edition of the Dialogue received 209 diverse applications from across the country, out of which 36 start-ups were shortlisted to receive one-on-one mentoring and capacity-building sessions from experts for two months through the Youth Co:Lab Springboard Programme, a start-up support platform for SDG innovators These start-ups then presented their ideas to a jury in April 2024, from which the six winners were selected to receive up to USD 3,000 seed funding to scale up their innovations. The winners are Deepak Rajmohan, Riksrang Momin, Richa Shukla, Prantish Francis Narzary, Prerit Rathi and Dohaapia Momin.
Mr. Ashu Khullar, Citi India CEO said, “Our heartiest congratulations to the six winners of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Dialogue. Youth Co:Lab is a groundbreaking initiative of the UNDP and Citi Foundation that seeks to harness the power of India’s youth and its vibrant startup community. At Citi India, we have always believed in extending support to startups and entrepreneurs through not only tailormade banking products and services, but also mentorship and funding. We extend our best wishes to the Youth Co:Lab movement in its journey towards taking India closer to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and building a stronger and more self-reliant nation.” The winning start-ups showcased their solutions before over 100 number of participants consisting of industry experts, investors, government officials and young entrepreneurs.
Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP India, spoke at the event and said, “This year’s Youth Co:Lab challenge spotlights real-world solutions for some of India's most underrepresented communities - small and marginal farmers, tribal communities, and persons with disabilities. With over 200 applications from 28 states, including half from marginalized population groups and three-quarters from smaller cities. The diversity and creativity of these young innovators and entrepreneurs are truly inspiring. As India experiences a surge in social entrepreneurship, UNDP is honoured to partner with the Atal Innovation Mission and the Citi Foundation to support the innovative journeys of young people.”
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.
About Youth Co:Lab:
Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, Youth Co: Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Learn more at www.youthcolab.org or follow @youthcolab
About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at www.undp.org or follow @undp
About Citi Foundation:
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities worldwide. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. Learn more at www.citigroup.com/citi/ foundation or follow @Citi
About Atal Innovation Mission:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to create and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of our country. AIM’s objective is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platforms and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystem of the country.
Note to Editor
Theme 1: Agriculture Fintech and Insurtech for small and marginal farmers
1. Winner - Deepak Rajmohan - Greenpod Labs
2. Runner Up - Riksrang Momin - OriGIndia
Theme 2: Innovative solutions for Indigenous groups and tribal communities
1. Winner - Richa Shukla - Scarlet Blinks Aroma Therapy Private Limited
2. Runner Up - Prantish Francis Narzary - Click Cafe
Theme 3: Assistive technology and solutions
1. Winner - Prerit Rathi - Rhosigma Technologies
2. Runner Up - Dohaapia Momin - Aadya Foundation