The 8th edition of the Himalayan Startup Trek (HST), hosted by IIT Mandi Catalyst, concluded successfully, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most influential platforms for innovation and entrepreneurship. Held from November 15-17, 2024, in the picturesque Kamand Valley, the event brought together 200+ startups, 50+ mentors, 30+ investors, government dignitaries, and industry leaders to create a thriving ecosystem of innovation.
Inaugural Ceremony:
The inauguration was graced by Shri Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, who highlighted the unique opportunities Himachal Pradesh offers for startups to innovate in harmony with nature.
Distinguished speakers included:
- Prof. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, whose keynote provided a data-driven vision for startups contributing to a prosperous and sustainable India.
- Mr. Ramanan Ramanathan, Chairperson, National Expert Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, emphasized democratizing innovation and scaling inclusive entrepreneurship under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Dr. Syed Abbas, Dean SRIC, IIT Mandi, underlined IIT Mandi’s pivotal role in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in the Himalayan region.
- Dr. Satvasheel Powar, Faculty Incharge and Director Incubation, emphasized how IIT Mandi Catalyst is going to play a pertinent role in the arena of entrepreneurship.
HST Grand Challenge
The flagship competition saw 700+ applications from across the country, with 80 startups competing in four thematic areas:
Theme 1: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Winners: 1st (Innovation Forge Pvt. Ltd.), 2nd (Ostepqure Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.), 3rd(Lenscorp AI Pvt. Ltd.)
Theme 2: Build for Himalayas (BFH)
Winners: 1st (Shoolini Saffron Pvt. Ltd.), 2nd (Pinetastic), 3rd(Chematico Technologies Pvt. Ltd.)
Theme 3: Environment & Sustainability (E&S)
Winners: 1st (Zeintein), 2nd (YHonk Tech Pvt. Ltd.), 3rd(Appreciating Solutions Pvt. Ltd.)
Theme 4: Bio Innovation (BI)
Winners: 1st (Medantrik Medtech), 2nd (Caranrose Biosol Pvt. Ltd.), 3rd(Syncubator)
Grants totaling ₹11 Lakhs were awarded to 12 outstanding startups, while four special mentions recognized exceptional efforts.
Investor Den
The largest-ever Investor Den in HST history saw 30+ investors engaging with 19 promising startups, representing sectors like deep tech, health tech, renewable energy, and sustainability. This high-energy platform provided invaluable funding and networking opportunities, cementing HST’s reputation as a hub for impactful collaborations.
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Masterclasses: Knowledge for Growth
The Masterclasses offered actionable insights to empower founders, featuring:
- Dr. Deepak Motwani on raising early-stage funding.
- Ms. Madhuri Sawant on aligning sustainability with business strategies.
- Mr. Harsh Dattani from Google for Developers on AI applications.
- Dr. Mohamed Adil and Dr. Anand on scaling life sciences ventures.
- Mr. Ganesh Abhishek on leveraging government support for startups.
- Mr. Namah Pandey on optimizing human effort with AI-enabled user interfaces.
Each session delivered practical tools and strategies for entrepreneurial success.
Thought-Provoking Discussions
- Fireside Chat: Top investors Mr. Aditya Sood, Mr. Priyank Garg, and moderator Mr. Saurabh Mittal shared their perspectives on scaling startups through resilience, innovation, and execution.
- Panel Discussion on Global Expansion: Featuring Dr. Srikant Sundarajan, Ms. Madhuri Sawant, Mr. Anil Joshi, Mr. Aadil Chittawala and Mr. Amit Singal, this session provided startups with a roadmap for navigating international markets.
Special Features
- Speed Mentorship: Over 100 startups engaged in one-on-one sessions with experts, receiving tailored guidance on scaling and strategy.
- Cultural Night: A vibrant showcase of Himachal’s rich traditions fostered meaningful connections.
- Flea Market & Showcase: Startups displayed their innovative products, fostering engagement with attendees and potential partners.
