Airtel launches innovation challenge for start-ups

Telecom giant Bharti Airtel, along with government's non-profit venture Invest India, has announced the launch of an innovation challenge for start-ups. The winners of the challenge will win Rs 3.5 lakh, first runner-up Rs 2.5 lakh and second start-up Rs 1 lakh. The top 10 start-ups will be able to use Airtel's Digital Innovation Lab for three months. Starting-ups will be offered the chance to join the Airtel Startup Accelerator Program. The top 10 will get an Airtel Office Internet plan for a year.

The challenge has invited start-ups to demonstrate solutions for the following:

5 G: B 2 B or B 2 C use cases and apps that leverage high-speed and low-latency 5 G tech.

IoT: Solutions for enterprises that will empower their digital transformation journey.

Cloud communication: Leveraging AI and ML technology to create B 2 B and B 2 C products to improve customer engagement and experience.

Digital advertising is the process of creating unique ads for both digital and others. Applications will close on January 24 and results will be announced on February 14, 2022. The telecom giant said that start-ups must have a Minimum Viable Product MVP or working solution in place that can be demoed.

As a core enabler of this emerging digital ecosystem, Airtel is happy to be working with the Government of India to help early-stage companies navigate their growth journeys and scale up quickly and sustainably. Invest India CEO Deepak Bagla said that the Indian start-up ecosystem is the third largest in the world and that this challenge will showcase Made-in-India solutions that solve complex global problems.