Coimbatore: The Ministry of Human Resources is organising a National Level Ideathon - 'Fight Corona Ideathon' on March 27 and March 28, 2020, to bring innovators, startups, educators, researchers and professionals to join together to rise as one to fight against CORONA.
Coimbatore: The Ministry of Human Resources is organising a National Level Ideathon - 'Fight Corona Ideathon' on March 27 and March 28, 2020, to bring innovators, startups, educators, researchers and professionals to join together to rise as one to fight against CORONA.
Fight Corona IDEAthon, a 2-day online ideathon, to mitigate the uncertainties arising in light of the rampaging Pandemic COVID-19, will be held on Mar 27 and Mar 28, 2020.
COVID-19 is spreading at an unprecedented scale, to several countries across the globe, affecting more than 5 lakh people worldwide, to emerge as the largest pandemic the world has witnessed, in modern times. The rapid outbreak and its aftermath have led to an alarming crisis, testing the limits of resources and capacities of every country in terms of diagnosing the suspected, isolating and treating the infected and creating an actionable awareness among the people, the importance of exercising a socially responsible behaviour to contain the spread.
Time has never been more appropriate and desperate for the science and technology community to orient themselves, to flare-up their efforts and energy, and unleash their fullest potential, skills, and knowledge to innovate effective solutions that support the community in containing the contract of the contagion and in mitigating the uncertainties, grappling the world.
Fight Corona IDEAthon, is an initiative jointly launched by MHRD Innovation Cell, AICTE, MEITY Startup Hub, InnovatioCuris and other institutions of global and national prominence offering support in terms of Technology, Knowledge, Outreach, etc., with Forge Accelerator as the Partner incubator, in the endeavour to scout for accessible and affordable technological solutions that can contain the rapid spread of infection, ease the mounting pressure and ensure a quick return to normalcy.
Challenges and problem statements have been sought from healthcare professionals, government officials and other stakeholders working on the ground and are curated under 8 different categories such as - Personal Hygiene & Protection, Awareness, Preparedness & Responsible Behavior, Medical Systems - Diagnostic & Therapeutic, Screening, Testing & Monitoring - Devices & IT/Digital/Data Solutions, Protecting Most Vulnerable Groups, Community Task Forces/Working Groups, Remote Work & Remote Education, Stabilizing Affected Businesses and the Open Category where one has the flexibility to choose and solve their own challenges.
Problem statements of high magnitude, soliciting innovative technological solutions, like the design of reusable/washable masks, a system that can disinfect currency notes/coins, mobile applications with an ability to provide right, reliable and authentic information to curb infection and the spread of panic, a non-invasive diagnostic kit, alternate solutions for ventilators to treat patients who face chronic breathing problems, Storage Kits to collect test samples from homes and transport them to laboratories, etc. are put forth for student innovators, educators, researchers, professionals and startups to ideate and innovate feasible products.
To learn about more Challenges visit: http://forgeforward.in/fightcorona/
A total of 5500+ participants comprising of students innovators, researchers and startup founders, 100+ mentors and 20+ partners have joined hands in this fight against corona. During this 2-day IDEAthon, Startups and innovators shall be guided by Domain experts, Healthcare providers and professionals, Innovation experts, etc. from across the country through a virtual platform in their pursuit of ideating and innovating technically feasible and economically viable solutions to the curated set of problems. Online webinars, masterclasses and live one-one mentoring sessions are organized to support innovators with a focus to guide in technical design, innovation acceleration and rapid development of their prototypes.
Ideas and solutions that demonstrate a proof of potential shall be awarded with cash prizes up to Rs. 7 lakhs and shall be offered innovation grants up to Rs. 40 lakhs to enable them to accelerate further development of their ideas and prototypes. Select startups and innovators shall be offered incubation support with access to industry partners, industrial-grade prototyping lab and pilot production facilities, co-working facilities, business support services, mentoring and expertise in tech, strategy, and venture development, corporate grants, etc.