The Buckminster Fuller Challenge

The Buckminster Fuller Challenge is an annual international design Challenge awarding $100,000 to support the development and implementation of a strategy that has significant potential to solve humanity's most pressing problems. It attracts bold, visionary, tangible initiatives focused on a well-defined need of critical importance. Winning solutions are regionally specific yet globally applicable and present a truly comprehensive, anticipatory, integrated approach to solving the world's complex problems.
last date: 4th October 2010. Discounted entry fee for students:$50/-
URL:http://challenge.bfi.org/

The Importance of Frugal Engineering

The term frugal engineering was coined in 2006 by Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn to describe the competency of Indian engineers in developing products like Tata Motors’ Nano, the pint-sized, low-cost automobile. Vikas Sehgal, Kevin Dehoff, and Ganesh Panneer of Booz & Company develop this concept further in this article.

Read : The Importance of Frugal Engineering

BioGenesis-The Euro Indo Health cluster

Biocluster is to boost the development of the Life Sciences industry and to facilitate businesses between Universities, Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies and other related entities by bringing them in a close proximity.This Biocluster is a Hyderabad-European venture and is launched with the name of “BioGenesis – The Indo-European Health Cluster”. The objectives of BioGenesis health cluster are:

• To integrate and develop synergies between firms, laboratories, and training facilities setting up a network between interested organizations and develop partnership projects.
• To develop new innovations in the health service.,
• To enhance the visibility within the national health sector as well as international health and life sciences industry.
• To accompany the development of business and increase employment opportunities nationally.

With these objectives in place, the participating members will have the following advantages:

• Being a part of this Health Cluster, participating members will gain more visibility and become more noticeable in their respective business domain.
• Members will be able to resolve their problems – technological as well as management – within the cluster.
• Members will also gain from the knowledge transfer within the cluster.
• Members will have a steady network with other members.
• Members will not only gain visibility within the nation but will also become conspicuous internationally.

Apart from the above advantages, the cluster will also help members in:

• renting office and lab space
• financing
• managment
• marketing and legal affairs

Contact: Renaissance Innovation Center , #151, Motilal Nehru Nagar,
Begumpet, Hyderabad-500016,
T : + 91 40 4004 5868
F : + 91 40 4004 5869
E : info@biogenesis.in
URL:http://www.biogenesis.in/softlanding.html

GE Ecoimagination Challenge

GE Ecomagination Challenge, invites all innovators above age of 18 to share their best ideas on how to build the next-generation power grid. There are three categories for submission:

Challenge 1: Create - Renewable Energy
Challenge 2: Connect - Grid Efficiency
Challenge 3: Use - EcoHomes/EcoBuilding.

The entry receiving the most user-submitted votes, will receive, subject to GE’s review for appropriate content, a cash award of $50,000. GE will also present each of five innovation challenge award recipients with $100,000 in cash, for a total of $500,000, to acknowledge these entries as examples of outstanding entrepreneurship and innovation.
Judges may also award one or more entrant:
* GE Scientific Merit Award to work with the GRC
In addition The evaluation committee will consider one or more of the following for selected entrants:
* An equity investment by GE or others
* A cooperative agreement to develop a product or technology
* A review of your product or service for possible qualification to be a part of the GE Ecomagination program.

Any individual 18 years old or older can participate, as can any organization. Enter as many ideas as you wish between July 13 and September 30, 2010.

URL:http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas

Innovator of electronic products is looking for business partner

Innovator Prem Singh,  President award winner, has come out with several innovations like IP based switch. See them at:
http://www.ipindiarobotic.com/product.html


Interested in partnering? Contact prem@ipindiarobotic.com

Techfest 2010-11

Techfest , organizing science & technology festival at IIT Mumbai has selected following themes for `Technopreneurship'  competition:

1. Clean Technology: In this category, plans focusing on making existing processes in the industry clean or innovating a new Clean technology/product all together will be entertained.
2. Cost effectiveness: This is the most important factor which a new product should consist of. The participants need to explain how their product or innovation can reduce the costs for the society.
3. Defy Convention: This category invites entries which by virtue of their brilliance can revolutionize a particular sector of industries or can have a social benefit.
for e.g:- A B-Plan which involves an exceptionally brilliant technological innovation like an artificial heart that could revolutionize the current market scene.
last date for submission of Executive report is 10th Sept 2010.
Details: http://www.techfest.org/competitions/technopreneurship/

EDISON CHALLENGE 2010

The Edison Challenge this year is to design an innovative technological solution to address healthcare challenges faced in rural areas. Full time Bachelors / Masters / Doctoral students of accredited Indian educational institutions are eligible to participate. They need to come up with the solution for a specific problem faced by a Public Health Center (PHC) or Non-Government Organization (NGO) setup in rural India, which caters to about five hundred to one thousand houses. Major healthcare challenges identified are:

• Technology for Tuberculosis Diagnosis
• Infant Care Solution
• Early Screening for Cardiovascular Disease

The last date of submission of entries is 1st October 2010, 5:00 PM IST.

Details: http://www.ge.com/jfwtc/edisonchallenge/challenge.html

 

X PRIZE FOUNDATION, THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA and IIT DELHI ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE GLOBAL COMPETITION TO DEVELOP CLEAN-BURNING COOKSTOVES

The X PRIZE Foundation, an educational non-profit that designs and administers competitions with prizes of up to $30 million, the Government of India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have formed a partnership to create a global competition to develop and deploy clean and efficient cookstoves. The competition will focus on the development of affordable and clean-burning cookstove technologies (and possibly delivery models) and is a part of the MNRE’s National Biomass Cookstoves Initiative, which was launched in December 2009. Details of the competition, including the announcement of the launch date, prize purse and competition guidelines are forthcoming.

Time Temperature Indicators

Time Temperature Indicators, or TTIs, are printed labels that display a colored visual summary of the elapsed time-temperature history of a product in the cold chain. OnVu^TM TTIs from BASF are low-cost, easy-to-use indicators that can be applied to food packages and medical products. They monitor the integrity of the cold chain, helping to ensure that refrigerated products keep fresh. Cold chain monitoring can be done that:

• Allow food producers and retailers to guarantee the freshness of their products
• Reduce food wastage along the cold chain
• Can reduce the occurrence of illness related to insufficiently refrigerated food
• Improve the safety of medical products like vaccines and blood products
• Reduce the number of medical products that have to be discarded because of a disruption in the cold chain.

Packaging firms can contact Martin Angehrn

BASF Venture capital

BASF Venture Capital invests between one and five million Euros per venture in young start-up companies who stand out due to their ground-breaking technology.Start-ups working in these areas can contact them:

• Energy management: new materials and technologies to transform, safeguard or store energy
• Energy management: organic electronics for flexible displays, OLED-Lighting, Batteries, Organic photovoltaic (OPV), printable eletronics
• MedTech: surface treatment for medical systems
• Green Biotechnology
• Industrial Biotechnology for new products
• Raw Material Change: sustainable production of chemical intermediates based on renewable resources
• Nanotechnology: material with novel properties and applications.

They concluded 573 deals in 2008 and Indian start-ups had a share of 3%.

Read the equity story.

Interval Licensing Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Web Search Companies

Interval Licensing Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Web Search Companies

Grand Challenges in Global Health

Grand Challenges Explorations fosters innovation in global health research. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $100 million to encourage scientists worldwide to expand the pipeline of ideas to fight our greatest health challenges. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline, from student to tenured professor, and from any organization – colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. Round 6 is now open.The topics for Round 6 are:

• Design New Approaches to Cure HIV Infection;
• Create the Next Generation of Sanitation Technologies;
• The Poliovirus Endgame: Create Ways to Accelerate, Sustain and Monitor Eradication;
• Create Low-Cost Cell Phone-Based Applications for Priority Health Conditions;
• Create New Technologies to Improve the Health of Mothers and Newborns. 

Lat date November 2,2010

URL:http://www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/Pages/ApplicationInstructions.aspx

Reverse Osmosis Subsurface Drip Irrigation

The Reverse Osmosis Subsurface Drip Irrigation System developed in Australia lets plants draw water through salt filters in irrigation pipes at their roots, using the tiny amounts of energy naturally createdby evaporation at their leaves.The genius of the system is that it can determine if there is enough suction energy created at the roots of plants by natural evaporation to draw the water through a reverse osmosis (semi-permeable) filter. While farmers already use reverse osmosis filters to remove salt from brackish water, until now the water has had to be pushed through the filter using high pressure. For the first time, there is a potential passive biological alternative to the existing high-cost, high-energy desalination options.For this Leslie and Sutton were awarded Eureka Prize. For Technology transfer contact: University of Sydney

Dr Shantaram Kane offers technology to prepare low cost Herbal formulations

Dr Shantaram Kane is a Chemical Engineer (B.Tech.-IITBombay, Sc.D. - MIT-USA) and has come up with an innovation backed by two Indian Process Patents which reduces the daily dose requirement of any natural product by a factor of 100 to 1000. The process is a simple kitchen technology and consists of chopping the herbs, mixing them with water and sesame oil and cooking to boil off water. The mass is then filtered to get the super-active oil extract. He made such extracts from more than 100 herbs and other biomass. These oils have been successfully tested in over 1000 volunteers for a wide variety of ailments including G.I. Tract problems, Lipid lowering, Insulin dose lowering, joint inflammations, skin inflammations and neurological systems. The average annual herbal requirement for a person will be just 30 gm per year. A small kitchen can easily make in one year 1500 kg of super-active oil containing 150 kg of starting herbal material. This will be sufficient to provide complete annual requirements of 5000 persons.
            Dr Kane now wish to make this invention available to millions of people. Interested- See:
 http://www.whcchealthinnovations.org/poster-detail.cfm?PosterID=67

Renewables 2010: Global Status Report

The report prepared by Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, 2010 can be downloaded from:

http://www.ren21.net/globalstatusreport/REN21_GSR_2010_full.pdf

This report was commissioned by REN21 and produced in collaboration with a global network of research partners. Financing was provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU); and the U.S. Department of State.

The Delhi international Renewable Energy Conference (DIREC 2010) will take place in New Delhi 27-29th October 2010.Details:

http://www.direc2010.gov.in/

“Promoting Innovative Cluster” – TECH TRANSFER 2010,

Foundation for MSME Clusters and Skyquest Technology Group are organizing Technologies Road-show “Promoting Innovative Cluster” – TECH TRANSFER 2010 with information on several technology offers in Life Science Industry (Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device and Diagnostics). This event is scheduled on August 28, 2010 at PERD Centre in Ahmedabad.

For more information please visit http://www.skyquestt.com/registration.html

No participation fees for event but prior registration is essential.

Email: amol.nalawade@skyquestt.com, Contact No. :  +91 79 4005 4111/ +91 79 40088142

CABTOP innovator looking for investors and business partners

The name CABTOP means “Cabinet on Top”. The CABTOP’s cabinet is modified version of the existing PC Cabinets. It is also called PC in suitcase.Some of the advantages of CABTOP are:
• Easy to Clean,
• Inbuilt Monitor,
• Self locking system,
• Unique design in PCs,
• Easy to Carry / Transport,
• Easy to Position or Storage,
• Easy to move while switch on,
• As single Unit PC like All-in-One PC,
• No Need of separate customized furniture,
• Easy to Handle on Floor / Bed / Sopha / Chair / Table,
• Value for money (More features with the Desktop price),
• Inbuilt indusial SMPS systems for the System and Monitor,
• Conversion of the existing any types of Desktop PCs to CABTOP,
• Inbuilt air cooling technology for the processor and SMPS,
• Inbuilt speakers for the System’s Audio, TV Audio, DTH Audio & S-Video

Interested? Contact: Bhragavi , bhargavirr@rediffmail.com

Flight data recorder (FDR)

MADHAN GANESAN, working as Avionics Mechanic in Middle East has this idea:
In all existing FDR models, we can see a ULB- UNDER WATER LOCATOR BEACON, which helps for finding the FDR when aircraft crashes over water. If flight crashes over land this will do nothing unless there is water on top the ULB. By adding the G-Switch with the ULB, we can solve this problem. Emergency locator transmitters in the aircrafts works in this principle. G-Switch trigger the radio signal as soon as aircraft gone into the high impact. There is no doubt, finding FDR will become easier if the FDR manufacturer install this new type ULB, i.e. G-ULB.
Madhan is making his idea open for exploitation by anyone interested. Contact him at:madhan.ganesen@execujet-me.com

Accelerated Commercialization of Technology and InnoVation (ACTIV) workshops

ACTIV workshops seek to transfer the experience and key lessons learnt in science-based entrepreneurship from Cambridge, UK to India. Run over 2-days, each ACTIV workshop has a sharp focus on science & technology entrepreneurship and the nucleation and creation of new enterprises. ACTIV workshops seek to equip scientists and researchers, technology entrepreneurs, managers and key staff members of Business Incubators and STEPs with key skills and practical insights to help take technology based ideas to market.First workshop is planned on 27th &28th Sept at Venture Centre, NCL, Pune. For details see:http://www.venturecenter.co.in/activ/workshop.php

watercone

This innovation from Germany brings a low cost potable water generation from sea water or brackish water. Details: http://www.watercone.com/mage.html

Techkriti’11

Techkriti  is  the Annual International Technical and Entrepreneurship
Festival of IIT Kanpur and will be organized  from February  17-20, 2011. 

For details contact:

Ms. Swetali Nimje
Head, Public Relations
Techkriti'11

swetali@ii​tk.ac.in

Indian Innovator Gopalakrishnan questions the integrity of USPTO

Gopalaksrishnan (http://www.hydrodrive.co.in/S.GOPALAKRISHNAN.htm)
has been sending mails to one and all alleging that USPTO is holding his application which has 13/3/2002 as date of priority . He gives reference of web site
http://www.rense.com/general72/oinvent.htm
which also says several energy related innovations were kept with USPTO.

What is the truth?

TRI Grand Challenge for India

TRI selected 10 challenges and invites `ideas'. The challenges are  :

1. making rural health care thro medicine affordable and accessible.

2.Improve the usefulness of maternal healthcare thro portable diagnostics and smart system.

Read on :http://www.technologyreview.in/files/44813/TRI%20Grand%20Challenges.pdf

Major surgery-comparision of costs India and USA

How much it costs to get a Heart surgery done in India or a dental implant.
See the comparision at:
http://www.indian-medical-tourism.com/medical-tourism-india-price-benefits.html

Also read panel discussion Health Care in India: An Evolving Market for Founders and Investors

STEM annual event

STEM ( Society for Technology Management ) with support of ICMR, ICAR, CSIR ,DBT and in cooperation with the US-based Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), is organizing the annual event from 28th Sept to 1st October at Gurgaon.

The three-day event is for senior technology transfer and IP personnel to meet, share insights, discuss and explore ways to maximize their revenue through IP and technology transfer, and network with one another to creatively and effectively improve their technology management culture.

Register online at http://www.stemglobal.org

mBillion awards

m-Billion^th  Award is a dedicated platform to explore the latent potential of mobile sector across South Asia. These Media phones/mobile, handy gadgets can now do anything from allow physicians to review patient records on-the-go, to alert drivers in any city of nearby parking spaces while looking for spot, in addition to the texting, surfing and calling on many of today's phones.
See the award winners: mbillionth

Automatic High Security Tamper Proof Vending Machine for water

Innovator Srinivas Mahesh Reddy of Tirupathi addressed the problem of  tap water getting sold in sealed containers as clean water. He developed a system for dispenser which will not accept water coming from an unidentified source, patented and demonstrated it. Foundation for MSME Clusters supported the innovation. Interested parties may contact:

Niriha Security Systems Private Limited, B-22, 6th Floor, Appasamy Towers, No 16 & 17, Theyagaraya Road, T.Nagar, Chennai – 600 017,

Contact Person… Srinivas Mahesh Reddy M,  Mo: +91(0) 970 322 9311,  +91(0) 900 309 6969,   +91(0) 938 333 6996, Email: maheshms@niriha.com,   URL:    www.niriha.com

Wireless Power Consortium

The Wireless Power Consortium is working to develop an international standard for compatible wireless charging stations. Compatible products will be recognized by a logo. Phones, cameras, remote controls, and all mobile electronics carrying the logo will work with all charging stations that carry the logo.
Membership of the wireless power consortium is open for every company.

AgriPlas-wheat straw fiber in a polypropylene compound

The development process to commercialize an agricultural BioMass natural fiber began through a consortium set up by the Onatrio BioCar Initiative. This consortium was started and led by the University of Waterloo and included the Ford Motor Company, A. Schulman, Inc. and Omtec Inc.. The commercialization resulted in the first ever injection moldable automotive application utilizing .Read:
http://www.aschulman.com/Americas/Engineered-Plastics/Products/40/4129/AGRIPLAS.aspx

Kevin Stone: The bio-future of joint replacement | Video on TED.com

Kevin Stone: The bio-future of joint replacement | Video on TED.com

Sixth International Fab lab Conference

This year`s international gathering of field practitioners and laboratory researchers from the Fab Lab network and beyond, for a week of hands-on workshops and a one day academic symposium on the principles and applications of digital fabrication, FAB6 will be held in Amsterdam, August 15-20, 2010.

Technology on Offer; variable displacement compressor

TePP funded innovator Sankha Subhra Datta is now ready with a prototype with the following specs:

Number of cylinders - 4 Nos. Total swept volume - 133cc, Compressor power - 4 BHP, maximum compressor rpm - 3000. Refrigerant - R-134a. Delivery pressure of refrigerant - 15kg/sq.cm, Suction pressure - 2kg/sq.cm.

He is looking for business partners. contact

• 
  dattasubhra.1019@rediffmail.com

Villgro Tech Transfer Workshop

Villgro with Skyquest Consulting has designed a hands-on Workshop to help Inventors for Technology Transfer / Licensing deal making to be conducted on a quarterly basis.

The Workshop details are as follows: -

1.       Target Audience: Academic & Grass Root Inventors

2.       Stage: Prototype to Marketing with intention to license out technology

3.       Technology focus: AGRICULTURE (including Diary & Animal Husbandry), ENERGY & WATER targeted at Rural Markets  

4.       Language: ENGLISH

5.       Dates: Thurs.-12^th & Fri.-13^th August 2010 (2 days)

6.       Location: IITM Research Park, Taramani, CHENNAI

7.       Instructors:

·         Rajeev Surana (Head-Tech Transfer & Co-incubation, Villgro Innovations Foundation)

·         Shriya Damani (Director-Skyquest Consulting)

·         An Inventor successful with Technology Transfer / Licensing

8.       Workshop Fees: NIL

9.       Travel & Stay: To be borne by Inventor

10.   Expected outcome from Workshop:

·         Creating SMART (techno commercial) Report in crisp format developed by Villgro

·         Perspective on valuation methodologies to be followed for your technology

·         Profiling prospective Entrepreneurs / Industry for your invention / technology

·         Devising a strategy to reach out to Entrepreneurs

·         Mock preparation on negotiation & deal closing with Entrepreneurs

·         Understanding different types of documentation to be entered at various stages of deal making

·         Adding value to deal & post deal monitoring

11.   No. of participants: 8

Please call Rajeev on 09381755790 to confirm participation in Workshop.

Fair Trade certification for clothing

Trans Fair USA introduced standards for certification of clothing. 

Requirements:  A company can either purchase the seed cotton directly from a certified producer group or require that their manufacturer source Fair Trade cotton from those groups. Produce the garments in a factory that meets Fair Trade Certified standards and has been approved by TransFair USA. Purchase products according to Fair Trade terms and agree to pay a 1-10% Fair Trade premium to a worker-controlled fund.

Another Non-tariff Barrier or protecting workers in developing economies?

Pater Alwin's snail is in the final list of Electrolux Design Lab 2010 competition

The finalists of 8 include one from India. i.e Peter Alwin creator of Snail- based on micro induction heating.

The Snail is a portable heating and cooking device based on magnetic induction processes. Such is the size and versatility of the Snail, it can be stuck directly on to a pot, a pan, a mug etc. to heat the contents.This reduces the amount of space required for conventional cooking whilst adding portability to the process. Powered by a high density sugar crystal battery, the Snail converts the energy from the sugar, heating up a coil to conduct the magnetic induction process to the utensil. Integrated sensors detect the food type being heated so as to automatically adjust the time and temperature. A simple touch sensitive display with interface helps to monitor the process.

Hyper Realistic Mannequin

Mahesh invited me to meet innovator in his incubator at NID. Went, saw the innovator, extended my hand....realised it was not human. It was a creation by the start-up Dirty Hands.

Alex J. Severinsky

Alex J. Severinsky developed the Hyperdrive power-amplified internal combustion engine power train, a more fuel-efficient successor to the conventional internal combustion engine power train, and founded PAICE Corporation to license Hyperdrive to hybrid vehicle manufacturers. 
Alex Severinsky received his M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Kharkov College of Radioelectronics in Kharkov, Ukraine, in 1967, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Institute for Precision Measurements in Radioelectronics and Physics in Moscow in 1975. He came to the United States in 1978 as a refugee. In 1986 he contacted the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering and enrolled Viteq, a company that developed uninterruptable power supplies for computer systems, in Mtech’s Technology Advancement Program; in 1992 he enrolled PAICE Corporation, which licenses the Hyperdrive technology, in the same Mtech program. 

Paice's U.S. Patent No. 5,343,970 ('970 Patent) is the centre of legal battles and finally all big guys Ford,Toyota had to agree to take license from PAICE.

Innovator X

InnovatorX is an endeavour by IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship and Marico Innovation Foundation and supported by Department of Science and Technology (Government of India) to create a platform to bring together all stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem - bridging a gap which currently exists in India. 

The Innovatorx aims at accomplishing the following -

1. Enable the innovators to showcase their innovations to the industry and aspiring entrepreneurs - Innovators often find it difficult to reach out to industry to license their technology.

2. Enable the industry to identify viable technologies which can solve the problems being faced by them or target an opportunity area. Industry would also be able to post challenges to Indian innovators - thus helping innovation process become more market-led.

3. Showcase interesting research and innovation happening across the country and the world. Provide visibility to innovations and innovators through dedicated articles regarding them.

Solar powered portable water purification system-Sunspring

Innovative Water Technologies has developed this product and one of it is operating in Cochin. See:
http://www.innovativeh2o.com/GlobalImpactIndia/globalImpactIndia.htm
The system uses GE water purifier and it appears performance is dependent on temp of water. How does it function in summer?

Partnering with KLD Technologies

KLD Technologies offers high frequency low RPM technology for electric 2/3 wheelers.Manufacturers want to try their technology can get in touch.

URL:http://www.kldenergy.com/partnerprogram.php

The 2010 R&D 100 Award Winners

See the list of 100 winners at:

http://www.rdmag.com/Awards/RD-100-Awards/2010/07/R-D-100-2010-Winners-Overview/

No winners from India.

Eastman Innovation Lab

Eastman has supplied the world with chemicals, plastics and fibers since 1920.Eastman Innovation Lab supports innovators by providing them material and developing material where needed.Two innovatoions facilitated this way are, KOR Water and Rapid Deployment Flood wall. Will they respond in a similar way to requests from Indian Innovators?

Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SB Innovation Open)

The winners of the second round has innovations of interest to India. BioLite stove, Tremont Electric's (kinetic energy to electrical energy,) bring innovations we are familiar with seems to have been engineered better.

the Growth Economy Venture Challenge

The winner of Nokia’s Growth Economy Venture Challenge will receive a $1 million (USD) venture capital investment and support from Nokia to help turn the idea into reality.

Criteria for the winning proposal
The winning proposal in the Growth Economy Venture Challenge will meet the following criteria:

• It must include a clear mission statement; and provide a product or service plan that will undeniably raise the standard of living, and/or enhance the lives of people living in emerging market countries today.
• The initial target market must be located in a region with per capita income significantly lower than what is found in industrialized nations today (e.g., sub-$5 per day).
• It must include a viable business model that has a high likelihood of providing a strong return on investment for the venture funding provided.

Submissions for this unique investment opportunity will be accepted through 11:59 pm PST 31 July 2010. The winner will be announced on 15 September 2010 at Nokia Developer Summit in London.

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.