Startup accelerators are instrumental in transforming
innovative ideas into successful enterprises. They provide
essential resources, mentorship, and funding, supporting startups through the initial and often
turbulent phases of business development.
One exemplary program is Conquest, India’s first and largest
student-run startup accelerator, seeing 3000+ startup registration
from across the country every year. Distinct from traditional models, Conquest has a zero-cost,
zero-equity approach, enhancing startups with substantial
cash grants without claiming any ownership stakes. The
team of 25 students running Conquest
from a small room in BITS
Pilani, have successfully disbursed over 1 Crore as equity-less grants in just the last 3 years.
The program culminates in a closed-door Demo Day in
Bangalore, serving as both a finale and a crucial
platform for startups to showcase their ideas to top-tier attendees from
leading unicorns and
VC firms. Last edition's Demo Day attracted industry leaders such as Pranav Pai
(3One4 Capital), Sameer Brij
Verma (Nexus Venture Partners), and Sanjay Dasari (WayCool), along with over 300 other
attendees from prominent unicorns, VC firms, and media houses.
Conquest has a track record of supporting startups that
continue to shape the future in various industries.
Here are some notable examples:
Thinkerbell
Labs
Thinkerbell Labs is revolutionizing education for the
visually impaired with their innovative product,
Annie. This device is the first of its kind to enable self-learning for
Braille, incorporating interactive
and engaging methodologies that significantly enhance the learning process.
Conquest was an early believer for them. After winning
Conquest 2016, the equity-less cash
grant helped them scale up
and reach a wider audience. With a fresh view of the ecosystem after the numerous mentorship
sessions they received, Thinkerbell Labs saw exponential growth.
Having appeared on Shark Tank India, Thinkerbell Labs
secured significant funding that has
been instrumental in scaling
their operations. Thinkerbell labs were recently lauded by PM Narendra Modi and are one of the
fastest growing accessibility companies in the country.
Green
Tiger Mobility
Green Tiger Mobility is at the forefront of the electric
vehicle revolution with its innovative EV Kit. This kit
retrofits existing petrol two-wheelers, transforming them into efficient
hybrids with features
like a custom-designed battery, BMS, and vehicle control unit.
Valued at $5.17 million in 2022, Green Tiger Mobility is
making significant strides in sustainable transportation.
Their unique approach not only preserves existing vehicle frameworks but also
enhances them with clean
technology, providing a practical solution to reduce carbon emissions.
The support from Conquest, particularly after winning the
Pan-India track at Conquest '21, was
instrumental for Green Tiger
Mobility. The program’s mentorship helped them refine their technology and business strategy,
while access to Conquest's broad network of tech innovators and investors propelled their
visibility and facilitated subsequent growth phases.
Glovatrix
Glovatrix is pioneering the field of wearable technology
with products specifically designed to
aid communication for the
speech and hearing impaired. Their innovative devices translate sign language into spoken word in
real-time, breaking down barriers in communication and enhancing social interactions for
those with speech and hearing challenges.
Winning Conquest '23, Glovatrix gained significant
recognition, propelling their mission forward. This
achievement underscored their commitment to technological innovation and social
impact, spotlighting
the vital need for inclusive communication tools.
The backing from Conquest was instrumental in securing
additional funding for Glovatrix. With
grants totaling over 75
lakhs from government sources, they were able to enhance their product development and expand their
reach.
Greenpod
Labs
Greenpod Labs is addressing critical issues in agriculture
with innovative post-harvest solutions
that significantly extend
the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Their active packaging sachets trigger natural defense mechanisms
within produce, maintaining quality during storage and transport. This technology not
only reduces food waste but also increases the efficiency of agricultural supply chains.
As the second runner-up at Conquest '23, Greenpod Labs
demonstrated their potential and commitment to revolutionizing food
preservation. Leveraging the connections they formed during Conquest, Greenpod Labs
expanded rapidly and saw a refined business strategy and a well thought out growth plan.
Conquest is all set for its 20th edition and is looking
for the most promising early-stage startups from across
the country which will form an exclusive cohort. To become a part of this
transformative ecosystem
dedicated to your success, register now at conquest.org.in.