Chennai: This year’s search for India’s most innovative assistive technology start-ups is underway with the launch of ProsusSICA2021.

Created last year by Prosus - in partnership with Invest India, Social Alpha and the World Health Organization– the initiative invites Indian startups with the most promising solutions in the assistive technology space to compete for an annual grant and access to the ProsusSICA mentorship programme.

With more than 70 million Indians estimated to live with some form of disability* the societal impact of improving lives and empowering people through assistive technology can be immense. ProsusSICA was recognised earlier this month as “CSR Initiative of the Year” by the AssisTech Foundation.

Prosus has committed INR16,500,000 to the initiative over three years, and each year awards grants to three successful startups. Partners including InvestIndia and Social Alpha provide additional mentoring and financing opportunities, while WHO supports the programmewith technical assistance.

In its inaugural edition in 2020, ProsusSICA received over 200 applications from 25 states and seven union territories across India. The top three startupsrecognised for their ingenuity and impact across a range of assistive technologies were Sohum Innovation Lab (Bengaluru), NeoMotion(Chennai) and Stamuri(New Delhi).

In addition to the top startups, two other finalists were enrolled into the SICA mentorship programme to benefit from Prosus’s experience in supporting entrepreneurs and helping them to succeed:Cogniable (Delhi) and Thinkerbell Solutions (Delhi).

For ProsusSICA 2021, an expert panel of judges will assemble to identify innovative startups with the most potential to positively impact the lives of personswith disabilities. (Information on the 2020 panel here). Eligible startups can submit their applications from now until 19thOctober.The top startups will be announced in Decemberto mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Commenting, Sehraj Singh, India Managing Director, Prosus, said: “Enabling entrepreneurs across the world to improve people’s daily lives is our mission at
Prosus. Here in India, the needs of 70 million personsliving with some form of disability have remained under-served despite a vibrant startup ecosystem”.
 
Interested startups can learn more about ProsusSICA 2021 and the application process on https://www.startupindia.gov.in
The top three startups will be awarded grants of:
1.    First prize: INR 25 Lakhs
2.    Second prize: INR 18 Lakhs
3.    Third prize:  INR 12 Lakhs

In addition to the grant award, eligible startups receive an opportunity to work with Social Alpha, an incubator that promotes innovation and entrepreneurshipacross India. As incubation partner, Social Alpha can also provide upto $40,000 in equity to the top startups.

The top five finalists are also inducted into the ProsusSICA mentorship programme where they will benefit from Prosus’s experience in supporting entrepreneurs and helping them to succeed.

Prosus is a global consumer internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world.