Last month, I attended the Himalayan Startup Trek 2023, organised by The Catalyst at IIT Mandi, an event focused on encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in Himachal Pradesh. I’ve been actively involved with Catalyst in various roles, such as selecting and mentoring startups.
This year’s event was a landmark, with over 500 startup applications competing for cash prizes. I had the honour of being a jury member for the “Build for the Himalayas” track, where we evaluated around 20 startups. Eventually, we recognised three exceptional startups with cash prizes for their innovative ideas.
What stood out were the startups I encountered during the event. They offered a wide range of innovations, from eco-friendly initiatives to D2C brands promoting Himalayan recipes. For instance, one startup was working on sustainable solutions using hemp plastics, while another, located in Siachen, promoted Ladakhi cuisine directly to consumers, helping local entrepreneurship. We also discovered a simple yet impactful product created by a Kashmiri entrepreneur from Anantnag, designed to aid apple tree growth, showcasing the practicality and creativity promoted by this event.
Catalyst is now considered one of India’s top incubators, providing essential mentorship covering various aspects, from technology and finances to business strategies and investor connections. Interactions with stakeholders, experts, investors, faculty members, and students provided valuable insights and connections, further enhancing the experience.
Reconnecting with old regular friends at HST led to meaningful conversations and exchanging valuable insights and ideas. Overall, the Himalayan Startup Trek is a significant platform for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Himalayan region, emphasising connections and supporting promising startups.
This was first published on my personal Instagram page.
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