Welcome to AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge 3.0

Launch Date: 13th March 2023

Last Date of Application: 24th April 2023

NITI Aayog’s flagship program - Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has been at the forefront of promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. As a part of the Indo- Danish Bilateral Green Strategic Partnership, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog (AIM) launched the Open Innovation Water Challenge in partnership with the Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Embassy of Denmark in India.

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog (AIM-NITI Aayog) has collaborated with ICDK, Royal Danish Embassy in India, and the Denmark Technical University (DTU) to prepare the Indian participation for the Next Generation City Action program hosted by DTU.

The initiative aims to identify innovative & next-gen solutions to solve proposed challenges in collaboration with corporate and public partners. The initiative will engage young talent from leading universities and innovation hubs to build their skills and apply their technical disciplines and innovation capacity to come up with technology-driven innovative solutions for effective water management in India.

The winners of the challenges will form the Indian cohort which will participate in the Next Generation City Action program and engage with young talents from leading universities and innovation hubs of 5 countries (India, Denmark, Ghana, U.S.A, and Brazil). The program will help innovators to build their skills and apply their technical capabilities to build water-related solutions. The AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge has successfully completed 2 editions and has launched the 3rd edition this year.

Why participate in AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge?

1. Gain access to laboratories and mentoring at IIT’s and test your solution in a broader context
2. Expand your professional network and interact with stakeholders from across the world
3. Get access to a platform to pitch your concept and further develop your solution
4. Become part of an international community of likeminded addressing different local challenges
5. Participate in the Final Pitch Session and Award Ceremony in May 2023
6. Get the chance to win scholarships and awards to further scale your solution, among others the chance to join the UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen in July 2023.

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AIM ICDK Water Innovation Challenge - Students Apply Now

1. Young Academics track

The Young Academics track presents an exciting opportunity for Indian university student groups to present their ideas on a global stage. The selected student teams will get a chance to grow their international network with leading experts, business mentors, and like-minded innovators. This unique international innovation initiative will help the selected student teams to develop interdisciplinary competencies, teach them to work with sustainability, inclusion, and universal design. The student teams will get support to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions, collaborate with stakeholders from across the world and get to participate in social events with the startup and student entrepreneurial community. The winning student teams will also get fully sponsored participation at the UIA World Congress of Architects Copenhagen 2023.

1. Applicants must be Indian citizens
2. Must be university students studying BA, MA or PHD at any university across India.
3. Able to participate virtually 1st June onwards and physically in Copenhagen from the 28th of June to 6th of July.
4. Should be proficient in English

The Process:

SIGN-UP by 24th April 2023: Final deadline for applications
ANNOUNCEMENT OF PARTICIPATION- 1ST week of May 2023: Selected student participants will be announced.
KICK OFF – 31st May 2023: Selected student teams from across all participating countries will gather locally and connect virtually for a joint kick off
INNOVATION JOURNEY (HYBRID) – 1st June onwards: Selected student teams will undergo an innovation journey including workshops, mentoring sessions and more in preparation for the Congress
ARRIVAL - 28th June 2023: Student teams will arrive in Copenhagen on the 28th of June where we offer a pre-congress program including congress preparation sessions, visits to partners around Copenhagen and a celebratory reception.
CONGRESS – 2nd July-6th July 2023: Student teams will be able to exhibit their solutions after coming up with defined congress strategies through pitches on stage and at partner stands and will stand a chance for further acceleration.

Challenge-Based Learning:

The initiative focuses on the challenge-Based Learning, where partners propose open-ended challenges and student groups develop Sustainable and inclusive solutions inspired by those challenges.

Challenge statements:

1. INCLUSIVE AND INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: How can we develop to utilize water systems as multifunctional spaces that suport recreational activities or promote inclusive communities while acting as effective water resource management systems - especially in rural areas?

2. SUSTAINABLE HOMES OF THE FUTURE - FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET: How might we design and build the homes for the future in a way where they have a low impact on the environment and at the same time provide inclusive, healthy indoor environments?

3. CREATING SMART CITIES - LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND : How might we create smart cities that are inclusive to citizens and industry?

4. DATA DRIVEN WATER QUALITY: How can data and inclusion improve water quality and sanitation.

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AIM ICDK Water Innovation Challenge - Entrepreneurs Apply Now

2. Young Entrepreneur track

The Young Entrepreneurs track presents an exciting opportunity for Indian technology start-ups in the early stages to accelerate their ideas and form global partnerships. Successful participants will get the opportunity to take part in a combination of workshops, networking opportunities and access to experts. The programme’s focus is on equipping start-ups with tools, insights and relevant networks to prepare for a successful congress participation so as to showcase their entrepreneurial prowess. This entails providing support in developing a strategy for the congress, networking with potential investors and building relationships with important players in industry.

1. Applicants must be Indian citizens
2. No applicant or team member should be older than 35 years as on 1st January, 2023
3. The start-up should be between 2-5 years old
4. Your technology or service is relevant to one or more of the themes of the UIA congress; climate adaptation, rethinking resources, resilient communities, health, inclusivity, partnerships for change. To know More Cick Here
5. Should be able to bring material to showcase the solution
6. Should be proficient in English

The Process:

SIGN-UP by 24th April 2023: Final deadline for applications. Selected participants will be announced in the first week of May 2023.
KICK OFF – 31st May 2023: Participants from across all participating countries will gather locally and connect virtually for a joint kick off
ACCELERATION – 1st June onwards: Selected teams will be engaged in an acceleration process including workshops, mentoring sessions and more in preparation for the Congress
ARRIVAL - 28th June 2023: Teams will arrive in Copenhagen on the 28th of June where we offer a pre-congress program including congress preparation sessions, visits to partners around Copenhagen and a celebratory reception.
CONGRESS – 2nd July-6th July 2023: Teams will be able to exhibit their solutions after coming up with defined congress strategies through pitches on stage and at partner stands and will stand a chance for further acceleration.

Launch Date: 13th March 2023 Last Date of Application: 24th April 2023