Michelin And DPIIT Launch AI Start-Up Challenge In India

New Delhi, Jul 10 (KNN) Michelin, in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has announced India's first AI Start-up Challenge for the tire industry.

The initiative aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the country's artificial intelligence sector.

The challenge will select, mentor, and collaborate with leading AI start-ups in India over a 12-week period. Participants will have the opportunity to receive mentorship, engage in paid pilot projects, and potentially secure long-term global contracts with Michelin.

Hosted on the Start-up India portal, the challenge will culminate in a demo day in Delhi in September 2024, where the top eight start-ups will pitch their ideas.

The top three start-ups will receive paid pilot projects with funding up to Rs 5 lakh per project. The challenge focuses on developing solutions in manufacturing, supply chain, operating software, and infrastructure.

Government officials present at the launch event included Sanjiv, Joint Secretary DPIIT, and Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT. Michelin was represented by Dr. Ambica Rajagopal, Group Chief Data and AI Officer, and Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, DPIIT, provided a recorded address encouraging start-ups to participate and develop solutions using large language models for various business use cases.

The challenge is part of Michelin's broader innovation program in India, which aims to collaborate with local start-ups in areas such as digitalisation, mobility, advanced materials, and sustainability.

This public-private partnership between DPIIT and Michelin is expected to provide a platform for manufacturing start-ups to pilot and refine their technologies, potentially establishing India as a manufacturing hub through increased collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The initiative will unfold in multiple stages, beginning with outreach and applications in July 2024, followed by shortlisting and mentorship until September 2024.

The grand finale will feature shortlisted start-ups presenting their solutions to a panel of judges fr0m Start-up India and Michelin India.

This collaboration aims to empower manufacturing start-ups with innovative technologies and sustainable practices, positioning them as leaders in the global market through industry-supported incubation.

(KNN Bureau)