Intel in India and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) announced the call for entries for the Intel & DST- 'Innovate for Digital India Challenge'.

The challenge is aimed at fostering a culture of innovation, create solutions that can address local needs and build an empowered ecosystem for pervasive technology adoption in the country. Open to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, innovators, academia, designers, engineers and makers from diverse backgrounds, participants of the Intel & DST- Innovate For Digital India Challenge will be mentored by industry stalwarts and Intel experts.

The participants will be trained in technical know-how, will be provided access to product kits and infrastructure and multiple commercialization opportunities. They will be offered market linkages and access to funds at various stages to enable them to make their solutions readily deployable. The challenge has been designed in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), with support from the Department for Electronics and Information Technology, MyGov.in and will be managed by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A)'s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE). Kunal Upadhyay, Chief Executive, CIIE, IIM-A and Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, MyGov led the announcement of the challenge at a press meet today.

"Innovation is part of Intel's DNA. This challenge combines Intel's history of creating innovative technology with government's Digital India vision, complemented by entrepreneurial talent to create a sustainable technology ecosystem. Through this challenge, we aim to encourage people to come forward and participate and create solutions that will help make Digital India, a reality," said Sandeep Aurora, Director - Marketing and Market Development - Intel South Asia.

According to Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, MyGov, The MyGov platform, which supports the challenge, is designed to link government and citizens. The platform will connect the government with entrepreneurs and challenge work together for application management, program facilitation and popularization innovators, and startups innovators to come forward with solutions made in India for India.

"We encourage all those who have brilliant ideas to come forth and contribute to making the vision of Digital India a reality," Dwivedi added.

Speaking at the event, Kunal Upadhyay, Chief Executive, CIIE, IIM-A said, "Innovate For Digital India Challenge promises to be a timely platform for young creative minds in Ahmedabad and all over India to showcase their ideas. We are excited to collaborate with the government and Intel to execute this challenge and support young innovators across the nation in their journey from ideas to products."