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Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India,in partnership with Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD)today launched the Swachhata StartUp Challenge to provide an impetus to innovative startups to come forward and drive catalytic transformation in the sanitation and waste management sector.In line with Hon`ble Prime Minister`s vision for `Atmanirbhar Bharat` and `Make in India`, the Challenge seeks topromote an enabling environment for enterprise development under Swachh Bharat MissionUrban 2.0 (SBMU 2.0).
Today, the startup space is evolving rapidly with India leading the world with over 70 unicorns (crossing the valuation of USD 1 billion). With theappetite for risk and spirit of innovation at its core, the startup space holds immense potential to revolutionize India`s waste management sector. This is also aligned to the vision of SBMU 2.0 launched by Hon`ble Prime Minister on 1st October 2021,which is focused on encouraging the adoption of locally innovated, implementable solutions and business models in sanitation and waste management. The Swachhata StartUp Challenge launched today aims to capitalise on the startup movement by providing opportunities for entrepreneurship to young innovators to create socially impactful and market ready business solutions.
calls were made by MoHUA's secretary Shri Manoj Joshi and H.P. Emmanuel Lenin, French Ambassador to India and H.P. Hugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan, Ms. Rupa Mishra, SBMU, Government of India, Regional Director, AFD, India, Co-Secretary and Director of National Missions.
The challenge, open to Indian registered startups and French actors in partnership with an Indian startup (joint venture), invites solutions in four namely, thematic areas. (i) social inclusion, (ii) zero waste (solid waste management), (iii) plastic waste management and (iv) transparency through digital enablement. monetary and mentoring incentives - the top 10 winners will receive 250,000 yen as well as a year of dedicated support for the French Tech incubator, the French government's initiative to promote companies starting a business. Additionally, eligible startups will receive additional incentives including up to Lakhs of follow-up investment from Villgro, the Challenge's implementation partner, and up to $100,000 in credits and support. technology from technology partner Amazon Web Services, for each winner. The online call to submit an application starts today through a dedicated small website launched at the event (www.swachhatastartupchallenge.com) accompanied by a video detailing the main methods of the Challenge.
At the event, Mr. Joshi said: “Starting today, the Swachhata Startup Challenge is a step in bringing innovation and smart governance to SBMU 2.0 by encouraging a startup ecosystem to realize our vision of a 'waste-free city'. The challenge is to leverage the skills and experience of this space to find actionable ideas and solutions that can be adopted and replicated across urban India. MoHUA and the French government have a long-standing relationship to promote sustainable urban development in India, and today's challenge is another step towards strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of waste management with a focus on plastic waste. "
Lenin commented on the role of the French government in promoting innovation in waste management in India: In this direction. The French Development Agency has launched a seed funding of Rs 25 lakh for each of 10 selected startups. and one year of individual support. The initiative also comes at a time when France and the EU seek to work closely with India on the international stage to negotiate a global deal on plastic pollution. Regarding the need for a joint effort to tackle
plastic pollution, Hugo said: “Solving plastics in a global economy requires a collective and cohesive effort. Just as we already have a global agreement on climate or biodiversity, the international community will soon discuss the need for a global compact on plastics. We will strive to create a predictable path for businesses and families to embrace and adapt to change.”
Various innovations contributed to the success of the first phase of SBMU. Carrying this spirit forward, SBMU 2.0 is focused on encouraging cutting-edge solutions from small and private entrepreneurs and startups, through investing in R&D, challenging technology, and creating conditions for inclusion on the Government Portal (GeM). A step in this direction was taken earlier in December 2021 with the Swachh Technology Challenge, an SBMU 2.0 first initiative to incentivize startups, individual entrepreneurs, educational institutions Education, local businesses, research and development organizations, NGOs, and other civic groups help city governments effectively manage mission operations through technology-driven activities . The Tech Challenge has received massive participation from States/Territory and Urban Local Authority (ULB), with more than 2,500 entries received from all over India's metropolitan areas. The winning solutions from startups in the Swachh Technology Competition, currently under review, will enter directly into the Swachhata Startup Competition launched by MoHUA today.
The virtual event, attended by senior government officials including key secretaries, mission directors and city commissioners from states and cities, also saw a discussion of "The role of technology and business innovation to enhance India's waste sector". Participants included senior government officials from Chhattisgarh and Odisha as well as representatives from organizations such as Saahas Zero Waste and Green Artha.
Launched on October 1, 2021, Swachh Bharat MissionUrban 2.0 aims to achieve a “waste-free city” concept over the next five years through old landfill restoration, construction and demolition waste, and plastic waste management. In addition, sustainable sanitation through fecal sludge and wastewater management will be a key focus in SBMU 2.0.
Over the years, SBMU has been encouraging innovation and excellence, particularly through the MoHUA annual purity survey, Swachh Survekshan. This trend has grown over the years, with more than 4,000 innovations and best practices identified since 2018. Innovative technology solutions have also been instrumental in achieving results along SBMU's path through several key initiatives, such as toilets on Google Maps, working with partners such as Janaagraha and Google to achieve results. The Swachhata StartUp Challenge is another step towards smart and sustainable urban development, stimulating an innovative ecosystem through strategic collaboration and helping to realize the Prime Minister's zero-waste vision. Cities according to SBMU 2.0
Applications for the Swachhata Start-Up Challenge are open on www.swachhatastartupchallenge.com
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