Michelin, a global leader in technology, has joined forces with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to launch the Michelin Artificial Intelligence (AI) Startup Challenge. This initiative aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within India’s AI landscape, offering mentorship, paid pilot projects, and potential long-term global contracts to leading AI startups in India.
Challenge Details and Benefits
The challenge, announced in the presence of various DPIIT officials, will run over a 12-week period. It will be hosted on the Startup India portal and invites AI startups to demonstrate their capabilities. The most promising startups will be given guidance and support. In September 2024, the eight best will present their concepts at a showcase event in Delhi. The three highest-rated startups will then carry out funded trial projects for Michelin, each potentially receiving up to 500,000 Indian Rupees. These could lead to extended worldwide agreements and ongoing development assistance from Michelin executives.
Importance of Public-Private Partnerships
Speaking at the launch event, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary DPIIT, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and highlighted Michelin’s crucial role in elevating India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He encouraged all DPIIT-recognized startups to apply for the program and wished them the best.
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Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary DPIIT, asserted the Department’s commitment to empowering startups to scale their innovations globally. The Director of DPIIT, Shri Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, emphasised the importance of AI and highlighted the government’s emphasis on cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and automation. He commended Michelin for creating a program that aligns with the country’s goals and aspirations.
Michelin’s Commitment to Innovation
Michelin Group’s Chief Data and AI Officer, Dr. Ambica Rajagopal, showed great excitement about the collaboration. She remarked that the current period is uniquely thrilling for AI startups, and expressed Michelin’s pleasure in playing a substantial role in propelling India’s technological advancement.
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Michelin India’s Managing Director, Shantanu Deshpande, stated that Michelin is dedicated to creating a more environmentally friendly future, with sustainability and innovation as key priorities. He expressed enthusiasm for Indian startups taking part in the AI challenge, emphasising the collaborative effort to develop solutions with global impact.
Challenge Timeline and Selection Process
The program will unfold in several phases. It begins with recruitment and application submission in July 2024. The next phase, lasting until September 2024, involves selecting promising candidates and providing them with guidance. In the final stage, the chosen startups will showcase their innovations to a judging panel comprising representatives from Startup India and Michelin India.
Catalyst for Manufacturing Startups
This collaboration between DPIIT and Michelin India is an important catalyst in providing manufacturing startups the platform to pilot and fine-tune their technologies, allowing for larger participation in the manufacturing ecosystem by startups. It will also act as a catalyst to further the positioning of India as a manufacturing nation through partnership between public and private sectors.
Areas of Focus and Opportunities
The Michelin AI Startup Challenge provides a platform for developing innovative solutions across various domains including manufacturing, supply chain management, operational software, and infrastructure. It encourages the use of AI and robotics to upgrade manufacturing techniques, enhance product quality, improve safety measures, and minimize defects. The program’s goals are twofold: to foster the creation of sustainable products and to give Indian innovators exposure to international markets and customers.
Alignment with Government’s Vision
The challenge will encourage Indian startups to co-build technical solutions using large language models for business use cases, aligning with the government’s vision for advanced manufacturing and automation. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has taken an active role in engaging and supporting startups within the manufacturing industry. They’ve been providing crucial initial assistance to help these young companies grow and thrive.
How to Apply
For more information and to apply, startups can visit the Startup India portal. The deadline for applications is July 2024.
In conclusion, the Michelin AI Startup Challenge in collaboration with DPIIT and Startup India presents a significant opportunity for Indian AI startups to showcase their talent, receive mentorship, and potentially secure long-term global contracts. This partnership highlights the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and the private sector’s role in supporting the growth of the startup ecosystem in India.
