India Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010

The Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with The Hindustan Times and Mint, are inviting applications for the India Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010. The Award identifies and celebrates visionary social entrepreneurs who have demonstrated systems-change models and are at the stage of scaling/replicating their ideas across India and in other countries.
The deadline for receiving applications for the Award is July 1, 2010.

Climate Change

Report In Science from Netherland scientists predict " that Asia’s water towers are threatened by climate change, but that the effects of climate change on water availability and food security in Asia differ substantially among basins and cannot be generalized. The effects in the Indus and Brahmaputra basins are likely to be severe owing to the large population and the high dependence on irrigated agriculture and meltwater. In the Yellow River, climate change may even yield a positive effect as the dependence on meltwater is low and a projected increased upstream precipitation, when retained in reservoirs, would enhance water availability for irrigated agriculture and food security.".

NETRA: Cellphone-based Optometry Solution using Inverse Shack Hartmann T...

Proposals invited for `India Innovation Initiative' i3

i3 successfully completed its first year in the year 2009 when Innovators from all over India participated in the i3 National Fair and won cash rewards, recognition and incubation support for their innovations.i3 this year proposes to have 4 regional fairs for preliminary selection of innovations which it will receive from all over India. The final i3 national fair will be held in New Delhi. This initiative is for all innovators in India, above 18 years of age and irrespective of their profession or background (students, professors, industry professionals, individuals or grassroots innovators).

Proposals are now invited from all innovators in India, above 18 years of age. This initiative is partnered by CIIE, IIM Ahmedabad, CII’s APTDC &TNTDC (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Technology Promotion and Development Centres) & Young Indians (Yi). IIM-A will provide Incubation support for making business proposals and for commercialization of innovations with high business potential. APTDC & TNTDC will do the “Novelty Search” in the first level of screening of the Innovations, Yi will help provide a wide outreach of the initiative, confer a Special Yi Next Practices Award and also support in commercialization of select innovations. Interaction with various support organizations involved in the process of commercialization will be facilitated through CII-Raunaq Singh Innovation Grid (www.innovationgrid.org).

Areas and Sectors for Innovation competition for the year 2010 include Water, Transportation, Energy, Environment, Healthcare, Agro/Food, AssistiveTechnology, Education, Space, Infrastructure and Internal Security applications, First level of screening of Projects will take place through “Novelty Search” and only those innovations that are patented or have high potential of being patented will qualify for the Regional Fairs. Top 40 Innovations (10 from each region) with maximum business potential will be selected for i3 National Fair .The date for the National Fair will be announced at a later date.

Registrations may be done either online at www.innovationgrid.org/i3 or by sending hard copies of the filled-in forms & project reports to CII to the address mentioned in the brochure. For more details on registration & eligibility for participation, please refer to the enclosed brochure or visit the website at www.innovationgrid.org/i3.

contact Ms. Nishi Pant (nishi.pant@cii.in) at 011/45772004

Intellectual Ventures Signs with Thales Alenia Space an Agreement for the Acquisition of Satellite Inventions Patents

Iridium selected Thales Alenia Space to build world’s largest low-orbit constellation Iridium NEXT , covering 81 satellites for a total of $ 2.1 billion. Thales acquires patent portfolio describing hundreds of inventions related to satellites communication systems, as well as additional patent rights, from Intellectual Ventures™.
Source: Press release.

Rethinking the Elevator Pitch:Jeff Bonforte

Read this post in Jeff blog and found it interesting. Read at:
http://blog.bonforte.com/2009/04/24/what-are-you-trying-saying-rethinking-the-elevator-pitch/

SIP EIT scheme update

To encourage filing of international patents a Scheme `Support International Patent Protection in Electronics & IT' (SIP-EIT) has been put in place. The Scheme Supports International Patent Protection in Electronics & IT by SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and Technology Start-Up Companies. Under this scheme, SMEs and Technology Start-up units will be reimbursed upto 50% of actual costs, up to a maximum of Rs.15 lakhs per application, incurred in filing international patent applications in Electronics and ICT domain for their indigenous inventions.

Geeta Kathpalia,Scientist F & HoD(IPR) is now looking after this program. Innovators can contact her 011- 24363128. e mail: geeta@mit.gov.in

DSK ISD International Scool of Deign bags two Design awards

IDEA 2010 has 2 winnners from India, both from DSK. Bird house and Humane rat trap are the winners.

Source: http://www.fastcodesign.com/idea-2010

unlimited design contest

Open Source, Open Innovation and now it is Open Design. Prof Neil Gershenfeld at MIT created Fab Lab where a designer can create 3D images of his/her works. The Fab labs in Netherlands have opened the door to all designers to covert their designs into 3D models. And Open Design philosophy premits designer to copy others ( on the platform) design or produce derivatives.
Read more: http://unlimiteddesigncontest.org/en/About

Is there R&D in I.T?

This strange question often surfaces in discussion with IT companies. The answer is given by Shivanand in compiling chapters for the book `Research by Design: Innovation and TCS'.

TCS started as distributor of Burrough's in India and Burrough's in those days was one of top three with strengths in micro-programming and software architecture. TCS trained the initial batch of engineers in application development at Burroughs and third parties. JRD, the visionary created TRDDC, invested in research people and reaped dividends by creating new markets for TCS.

One illustration is software development environment for TCS Quartz banking product started in 1994, established effectiveness in 1997 and released as branded product MasterCraft in 1999.Similarly process group developed indutrial plant operation product CemPac starting with mathematical models. Darpan, language independent program analysis tool generator, allowed customised software tools to be generated quickly to meet specific needs in TCS projects. CMC acquired by TCS, was started to maintain IBM machines, developed capabilities in enhancing IBM 1401, integrating peripherals imported from west with CPUs imported from east europe and finally blossomed under UNDP spported program `Technology Cooperation among developing countries.

The result- a major breakthrough was project-Swiss Securities Clearnace and Settlement system for SegaInterSettle. It took TCS to a whole new orbit in system integration in the financial servies industry.

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 Semi-finalist

Two Indian designers , Peter Alwin and Ankit Kumar made it to semi-finals with their entries for Micro induction heating and wall mounted air purification.
URL:http://www.electroluxdesignlab.com/2010/06/electrolux-design-lab-2010-semi-finalists/#more-1844

St. Petersburg International Innovation Forum 2010 and the Innovation Russia Exhibition.

St. Petersburg International Innovation Forum 2010 and the Innovation Russia Exhibition. This year it will be held on September 29 – October 1 in St. Petersburg, Russia.For details:

Organising Committee:Tel/Fax.: +7 (812) 303-88-66,E-mail: skandmarket@restec.ru

The Piramal Prize 2010

The Piramal Prize is a partnership between Piramal Foundation and Centre for Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship at IIM Ahmedabad to enable bold entrepreneurial ideas with potential to reduce the burden of disease across India. The award recognizes high-impact models that propose innovative solutions which directly or indirectly address India’s healthcare crisis. Entries may include, but are not limited to, innovations in service delivery, technology applications, health-related products, or mechanisms to address public health necessities such as potable water.
The Piramal Prize is awarded in 2 categories:
1. Emerging Ventures

Disruptive ventures in existence for less than three years. Entries may be in the start up/ idea/ growth stages, ideally with a prototype/pilot project completed or underway. The prize winner in this category will receive structured funding of INR 10,00,000/-, and additional support including office space, operational support, mentoring, and access to additional financing.
2. Established Organizations

For Enterprises with a proven ability to reduce the burden of disease. Nominees may be not-for-profit or for-profit, but should present measurable impact on healthcare in large scale. The winning organization will receive a cash prize of INR 10,00,000/-
Last date: 15th August 2010

NOKERO SOLAR LIGHT BULB

Nokero lights are made from impact-resistant plastic, four solar panels, a replaceable rechargeable battery and five light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It is about the size of a standard light bulb and can withstand tough outdoor conditions. Price : 10-15$

Strategy & Execution- program by Verne Harnish

Verne is organising two workshops in India in Hyderabad on June 23rd and on June 24 in New Delhi.
URL:http://www.kcapital-us.com/verne/

NOVACIAN -free service for students from TecEsq

TecEsq a boutique intellectual property support Services Company and NOVACIAN™ is their program providing free Intellectual Property services to school/undergraduate students and under privileged society members and heavily discounted IP services to Postgraduate/research students. Contact novacian[at]tecesq.com

Science of Innovation through Brinnovation- workshop in Delhi

GIIP is organising this 2 day workshop in Delhi on 5th & 6th July at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Praveen Gupta , author of several books including Business Innovation in the 21st Century, The Innovation solution, Six Sigma
Performance Handbook, and Service Scorecar is the resource person.
URL: http://giipinfo.com/UploadData/Innovation%20Workshop%205-6July1.pdf

Stevia Global Summit, India 2010

The Stevia Technology, Innovation and Safety Summit 2010 brings together leading R&D, innovation, new product development (NPD), marketing and food safety, Quality assurance. Professionals to discuss, innovate, knowledge share and shape the future of stevia industry into the new decade. Date: 11th July 2010, New Delhi.
URL: http://www.steviaglobalforum.com/schedule.html

Call for Global Health Challenge Design & Research Project Proposals

Beyond Traditional Borders at from Rice University is multidisciplinary educational program with the aim of training next generation of students to reach beyond traditional disciplinary and geographic borders to understand, address, and solve global health disparities.Students in the Beyond Traditional Borders program will participate in a Global Health Challenge design course, undertaking a year-long project.The University is in the initial stages of assembling a portfolio of global health challenge design and research projects for these multi-disciplinary teams of undergraduates.
You can share your ideas at: http://cohesion.rice.edu/collaborations/btb/projectsform.cfm

Anil Gupta: India's hidden hotbeds of invention | Video on TED.com

Anil Gupta: India's hidden hotbeds of invention Video on TED.com

CSR strategy- handbook from Softchoice

Want to reduce the environmental impact of your business operations through adoption of green technology strategies- here is one template from Softchoice.
Download report: http://www.softchoice.com/about/sustain-enable/sustainability-report.aspx?=r

The Future Of Innovation ... As Seen From A Risk Averse Culture

Read my contribution to the multiple author publication `The Future of Innovation':

The future of Innovation is inextricably linked to the value system of a society, and eastern economies might find transferring the routines that underlay the philosophy of western ethos that drivies innovation a daunting task. India and China are large economies, and forecast of their economic prowess vary from analyst to analyst. These potential competitors to western innovation systems face a major challenge: how to give their citizens 'freedom to fail'? Risk in innovation has been documented and analysed again and again, the success rate may be one in eight or one in ten, but the fact remains, there are more failures than successes. Economic risk can be underwritten by state but social stigma of failure lingers on, which becomes the major inhibiting factor for innovation-promotion programs to take off; it cannot be brushed aside as of no consequence.

I see the need for a major shift in the innovation programs of India and China which should focus on transforming the education system to allow children to 'experiment and learn' as opposed to 'teach to learn'. Arresting the fall of the 'creative quotient' due to premium on logical mind would become a national priority.

When could this happen? India and China have traversed the traditional road map, moving from 'learn to produce' to 'learn to design new products/ processes' and have reached a stage where China is considered a major player in mass manufacture, with India being strong in services. Can they cope with the recession without transformation? Unlikely, as both cater to the US market and Fortune 500 companies.

These large developing economies need to introspect and reengineer their innovation systems. Like France which is converting high end research into innovations in a seamless manner, focusing on strategic sectors like aerospace and defence. There is no light at the end of the tunnel for most research work in existing government structures for the simple reason that winners cannot be picked that way - only the market can - and that probability improves with quantity.

To stabilize the innovation system, like a production system or a software program, the nation needs numbers, huge number of 'creative minds'. China became the 'global factory' because of a massive infrastructure build up manned by millions of disciplined workers; the software boom in India is the result of cumulative investment made by millions of middle class parents in providing their wards with engineering education.

Are Indian & Chinese creative? Fortunately the percentage of creative minds does not vary from nation to nation, and countries with billions of people have a natural advantage here. India and China do not have to produce creative people by genetic manipulations - all they have to do is ensure the creativity minds are not shut down at an formative age.

This brings us to the basic issue of education, primarily science education, of making science teachers great facilitators of learning. With information and communication technologies, multi media content, the time is ripe to do away with text books. Give them reference books and provide them with platforms to experiment (real or virtual) to keep their curiosity alive. Give them an 'opportunity to fail' and they will pay back in later life by not failing.

Do you agre??

The Ideas Compass

The Ideas Compass is initiative of Danish government , providing a platform for small and medium-sized companies on opportunities to develop sustainable products or services.

The Subtle Technology of Indian Artisanship

Liked this article by Ken Botnick and Ira Raja.
Read: Design Observer

2nd Annual DFJ – Cisco Global Business Plan Competition

Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and Cisco will jointly hold its second global business plan competition for students aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Last year’s winner was Bihar-based Husk Power Systems, a decentralized rural electrification provider in India. Kerala-based SMS text messaging company, Innoz, was also one of last year’s finalists. Prior India winners from other DFJ business plan competitions include Delhi-based solar lighting company d.Light Design and Mumbai-based networking company Vegayan Systems.
The competition is designed to find new technology-oriented ideas from aspiring college and university student entrepreneurs around the world. Fourteen finalists will be announced on June 21, 2010. The winner, who will be announced on June 29, 2010, will receive a minimum of $250,000 seed money. The winner will also receive professional feedback and mentorship from both DFJ and Cisco.
DFJ India is searching for the top 5 teams to represent India. Teams must meet the following criteria:
Eligibility:
1. Team Composition
Teams may comprise of one or more people. At least one-third (1/3) of the presenting team members must be students. At least one student team member must deliver a substantive portion of the company presentation. Students may be undergraduate, masters or PhD candidates who are matriculated in a full time, part time or executive degree granting program during the June 2009-June 2010 period. If the team members have formed a corporation, the team does not need to include all of the employees and managers of the corporation.
2. Student Involvement
Student(s) must hold a key leadership role in the formation and operation of the business.
3. Funding Status
Teams that have already formed entities that have accepted a preferred equity investment from an institutional investor or have received more than US$1,000,000 in financing may not apply.
4. Faculty Involvement
Student teams are encouraged to seek faculty support. However, faculty support is not a requisite.
5. Judging
The judges will be representatives from DFJ and CISCO who will judge all teams on the same day.
6. Competition Criteria
The judges will consider management, addressable market size, competitive positioning, barriers, capital efficiency, financial projections, and achievements to date in selecting participants and winners.
Important Dates:
June 4, 2010: Deadline for India teams to apply to be in the top 5
June 7, 2010: Top 5 India teams notified
June 11, 2010 5:00 PM PST: Deadline for Finalists submission
June 21, 2010: Global Finalists Announced
June 29, 2010: Global Competition
To participate in this event, please email your executive summary and powerpoint presentation to Anurakt Jain at anurakt@dfj.com. If you have questions regarding the final event, please email Marta Bulaich at marta@dfj.com.

World's Smallest Electric Bike,Moosshiqk , (E Bike)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMR0LUHPWLM&feature=email