Tura, Aug 1: From eco-friendly kitchen towels to innovative nutrition meal boxes, students from six colleges across Meghalaya dazzled judges and audiences alike with their entrepreneurial ingenuity at the Inter-College Ideathon Competition 2024.
The two-day event, organized by PRIME Start-Up Hub Tura in collaboration with the BIRAC BioNest Bio-incubator Facility, NEHU Tura Campus, aimed to inspire and empower the next generation of business leaders.
Held under the aegis of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development and Outreach (EED&O) sector of PRIME Tura, the competition showcased a range of creative and forward-thinking solutions. This year’s theme, “Innovation for the Future,” encouraged students to develop ideas that could drive sustainable and impactful change. The event was held at PRIME Startup Hub Tura, Food Crafts Institute (FCI), Najing Bazaar (Tourism Campus).
The event began with an orientation and demo pitching session on July 15, where participants received crucial feedback and mentorship. This preparation phase helped refine their business concepts ahead of the final pitching event on July 23.
The top innovations were:
First Prize (₹8,000): Jerubel C Mark and Team from Loyola College, Williamnagar, for their “eco-friendly kitchen towels, paper, and tissues,” which aim to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable living.
Second Prize (₹5,000): Hakanangbha and Team from College of Community Science, Tura, for their “Nutrition meal box, cooking, and delivery service,” designed to provide healthy and convenient meal options.
Third Prize (₹3,000): Ankita Bose and Team from Tura Government College for their “Authentic wear business idea,” focusing on traditional and culturally significant attire.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Miss Mayline Sangma, District Agricultural Officer, Mr. Tinash Sangma, Owner of Tinash Agro Industry, and Dr. Suman Nandy Kumar, CEO of BIRAC’s BioNest Bio-incubator Facility Center, NEHU Tura, assessed the pitches based on criteria such as innovation, novelty, and feasibility.
The top three winners also have the opportunity to apply for the Tinkering Fund, offering up to ₹50,000 in funding, along with ongoing support from the PRIME Office to turn their ideas into successful ventures.
“The Inter-College Ideathon Competition 2024 exemplifies PRIME Meghalaya’s dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and developing the next generation of business leaders,” said a PRIME official. “The success of this competition underscores the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation. PRIME Meghalaya looks forward to continuing its mission to empower the next generation of business leaders and drive economic growth in the region.
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