CNBC TV 18- 18th June 2019
Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Invest India on Tuesday picked 5 Indian startups who would receive nearly Rs 35 lakh ($50,000) each to further develop country-first products to solve real-life problems being faced by millions in the country.
The start-ups are: digital healthcare platform MedCords; virtual reality content platform Melzo; WhatsApp-based conversational AI platform Javis; agri-tech platform Gramophone; and MinionLabs that provides real-time device level electricity consumption insights to businesses."With more and more India-centric startups coming to the fore, we are looking forward to act more than just financing them. We would do a partnership with them to bring right services to right people," Abhijit Bose, head of WhatsApp India, told IANS."The first wave of technology largely brought concepts from other countries to India which was then localised according to the needs. We are now looking into an innovative idea which is India-first, solving unique problems being faced by the country," he added.Invest India is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India and acts as the first point of reference for investors in the country.
From over 1,700 entries from 25 states, 10 were shortlisted who presented the pitch to venture capitalists and entrepreneurs including Shailesh Lakhani from Sequoia Capital, Vani Kola from Kalaari Capital, Deep Kalra from MakeMyTrip, Harsha Kumar from Lightspeed Ventures and Bose from WhatsApp.
The winners were part of the 'Startup India-WhatsApp Grand Challenge' -- launched earlier this year to inspire entrepreneurs to develop solutions that have a socio-economic impact on the Indian economy.
For more information on this press article, visit https://www.cnbctv18.com/startup/here-are-the-winners-of-startup-india-whatsapp-grand-challenge-3729211.htm
MinionLabs is the World Leader in Energy Efficiency for Cities, Businesses, and Consumers for the Internet of Things. Our Artificial Intelligence-based products, systems, and services enable our users to be energy efficient, reduce carbon footprint, prevent climate change and make people’s lives safer and comfortable, and businesses more productive and cities more livable in a sustainable way. Visit us at www.minionlabs.tech