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Application Related

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are:

  • A student pursuing full-time Undergraduate, Master, or PhD program at any recognized Indian educational institution.
  • A student team of 2 – 4 members who will commit to a 8-month program including the (i) application phase (ii) 3 month-long period including coaching and mentorship program to develop a physical prototype and (iii) final stage of in-person presentation at IIT Delhi. (For the final presentation, 1 or 2 team members will need to travel).

Is this competition only open to engineering students?

No. It is open to all students pursuing their undergraduate, masters, or Ph.D. degrees.

How do I apply?

  • Applications are submitted through the online form on the website.
  • Applications will be accepted until the 15th of May 2023.

Can I appeal if my submission has not been selected for the program?

All judges’ decisions are final and we will not be entertaining any disputes/appeals.

Can I submit my application post-deadline?

No, applications submitted past the deadline (15thMay 2023) will not be considered for evaluation. There is no possibility for late entry into the competition.

Can I make modifications to the team members once the application is submitted?

It is advisable to not change the team once you have submitted the application form.

Please note that the Team Leaders cannot be changed under any circumstances.

Can I make modifications to the application form once it is submitted (apart from modifications of team members)?

Sorry! We do not entertain any modifications to be made to the application once it has been submitted. We suggest that you submit the form only and only after you are sure about the content being submitted.

What documents can be submitted as proof for student status?

One of the following documents can be submitted as proof for student status:

  1. Photo of your ID Card – certified by any faculty member or officer of the Institution
  2. Last semester’s grade sheet – certified by any faculty member or officer of the Institution

What are the various steps involved in the application process?

All entries received at the end of the application dates will go through a detailed screening process in four stages:

Stage 1: Application and Shortlisting (April 14 –May 22, 2023)

  • Submission of online application document from the applicant team
  • Preliminary screening of entries
  • Shortlisting 75 teams, 25 per track

Stage 2: Design Development and First online Assessment (August 1 – October 31, 2023)

  • Online Lectures by industry experts to refine problem statements and bring them in line with current industry requirements.
  • Working on the initial prototype
  • Submission of a video recording and a presentation of your work towards your prototype
  • Online assessment by the jury

  Stage 3: Prototype Building and Second Assessment online (November 1- November 30, 2023)

  • Announcement of Selected 60 teams who will receive initial Rs 5000 towards the consumables for developing their prototype.
  • Each team will be assigned a mentor for guidance and feedback.
  • The teams will identify the need, research the problem, arrive at possible solutions and select the most promising solution.  Following that they will model their prototype and start the production process towards a proof of concept (POC) working prototype.
  • Once it’s ready, they will present their initial prototype to their mentors’ selection committee members.

Stage 4: Final Stage to D Day (December 1,2023- January 5, 2024)

  • The top 20 finalists for all 3 tracks are announced.
  • Teams receive Rs 15,000 to further refine their prototype.
  • Teams work on their pitch presentation and demo with dedicated communication experts
  • Teams travel to IIT Delhi for the finals and one day prior have a full-dress rehearsal demonstration.

Stage 5: Demonstration & Awards: Onsite (January 6, 2024)

  • In-person showcase of a working prototype by the 20 finalists to our panel of judges
  • Awards function and interaction with the Press.

Prototype Related

What happens to the materials my partner and I purchase with our project budget?

It is all yours to keep; once we have completed all photography and videography required for promoting the award and its students.

Is there any prototyping support provided to the student teams?

Once you are at IIT Delhi (no earlier than Jan 5th, 2024) there may be a space made available for you to be used for the last-minute finishing to your existing prototype.

Can I continue working on a project that I am already working on?

Yes, subject to: (i) showing relevance to the domain and also showing additional work done during the contest period (ii) Any work done during the post-graduation would not be considered during assessment (iii) P.G. Students will be judged separately from the under-grads

Can I retain the final prototype?

Yes, the final prototype is for you to retain. It is all yours!

Award Related

What are the important timelines?

Important Timelines Events
April 14 2023

 

Applications window open

 

June 5 2023

 

Applications window shuts

 

June 12 2023

 

Announcement of shortlisted teams-25 teams per track

 

June 15 – July 14

 

Design Development Phase

 

July 17 – 30

 

Selection Committee Review. 1st Round of Presentation Sessions

 

August 1- October 31

 

Timeframe to work on the initial prototype

 

November 20– 30

 

Selection Committee Review. 2nd Round of Presentation Sessions
December 1 Announcement of top 20 finalist teams

 

December 2 -30

 

Timeframe to fine-tune the prototype and work on final presentation

 

January 1-4

 

Dry run Demo and Presentation with Mentors

 

January 6

 

Judgement Day: Onsite demonstration at IIT Delhi and Awards Day: Onsite demonstration at IIT Delhi and Awards

What financial support is provided to the applicants?

Each shortlisted student team will be provided INR 5,000 to work on the initial prototype.

The top 20 finalists team will be given an additional INR 15,000 each to further work on the final prototype for onsite demonstration.

What are the prizes?

  1. Best Product Design: INR  INR 100,000/- ( maximum of 3 awardees)
  2. Most Innovative Solution : INR 100,000/- (maximum of 3 awardees)
  3. MBF Innovation Fellowship: Selected awardees who wish to take their solution to the next stage may get selected for the MBF Innovation Fellowship with maximum support up to an additional 2 lakh released based on milestones defined mutually.
  4. Summer Internship 2024: Innovation Fellows will be placed with an academic or industry research group for summer internship in 2024 summer.
  5. Certification: All finalist teams will get Certificates and an additional 10,000/- from the Foundation. They may also request for Letters of Recommendation ( LOR) from mentors and selection committee members.

Other Inclusions:

  1. INR 5000 towards producing consumables for the initial prototype for all shortlisted teams.
  2. Additional INR 15,000 for further development of the prototype for 20 finalist teams.
  3. Travel support for up to 2 team members to location up to Rs 12.000 per team as well as stay and local hospitality.

Do I have to pay taxes on the award?

Yes! Taxes are individual liability and will have to be paid by the receiver of the cheque.

Assessment Related

What are the selection criteria?

20 lucky teams will compete for prizes, present to angel investors– all crucial steps in supporting their entrepreneurial journey into the real world. The selection will be based on the following:

  • Relevance: Is the invention addressing a real problem?
  • Effectiveness: Does the prototype work? Is it Cost-Effective?
  • Clarity:Is the scientific and logic chain about the product, idea or innovation robust? What can be the pitfalls in the chain of reasoning?
  • Uniqueness: How do the benefits compare to the solutions available in the market?
  • Patentability: Are the solution and prototype patentable? (IP shall belong to team members)
  • Commercial Viability: How does the cost compare to other things in the market?.
  • Fact Check: What has been done in the past to address what you are addressing?
  • Ease of use: Is the solution practical and easy to deploy? How will it be used by the user?

Can my solution be only software-based?

No! It is a rapid prototyping contest. Your solution should have a significant hardware component. However, we do understand, that a part of it may be a software application.

What is required to be the content of the video to be submitted for the assessment?

Teams must prepare a three-to-five-minute video prior to the competition that is concise and engaging.  The video should clearly communicate the technical approach,  highlight innovative or intensified elements of your process. The video should include elements such as competitive advantage, financing required to bring the technology to market, and the value proposition it adds to be the beneficiaries.

Other Questions

Who will cover the cost of the travel and accommodation?

Cost of the travel will be covered by the sponsors of the award. While teams may use any mode of travel, we will reimburse up to 2nd Class rail travel for 2 members of the team. Other team members may travel but their cost of travel needs to be borne by the team themselves.

Accommodation will be arranged by the sponsors of the award at IIT Delhi. The cost will be borne by the organizers. In case more than 2 team members choose to travel for the final stage, the accommodation may be provided by the organizers.

When are we expected to travel?

You are expected to reach IIT Delhi on January 5th, 2024 and leave the campus latest by 7th January, 2024.

Who are the mentors?

  • Faculty members from Institutions
  • Industry Veterans
  • Entrepreneurial Leaders

What help will the mentors provide to the shortlisted teams?

  • Provide specific insights and information that enable the success of the idea being developed
  • Provide feedback and advise
  • Create effective goals—specific, achievable, relevant and time-based
  • Help in staying focussed and on track

Can we reach out to a specific mentor for advice?

You may write to us at vishwakarma_awards@makerbhavanfoundation.org

How do I get other questions answered?

Please write to vishwakarma_awards@makerbhavanfoundation.org