DesignGild Startup Accelerator Program On-boards Two Startups from India, QtPi and RxHealth

DesignGild, a first of its kind design led startup accelerator from the house of MIT Institute of Design, has announced the launch of its first batch of the accelerator programme with two startups QtPi from Bangalore and RxHealth from Pune. The boot camp for these startups commences on 22nd May in Pune. The selected startups are from diverse technology spaces.

QtPi and RxHealth will be part of a robust 6 - month immersive accelerator program that leverages the rich design thinking and design doing experience of MIT ID. The program will give startups an exposure to latest design methods, co-working space, access to prototyping facilities, IPR consulting and facilitation, business development support, public relations and processes that will enable them to unlock business opportunities. A set of experienced design mentors and a dedicated design team will work together with the startups on various stages from design strategy to operations.

To name a few, DesignGild’s mentors include Mr. Atindrya Bose- Ex Country Head- Sony ( Playstation business), Snehal Vasani - Managing Director, Kitchen Grace (Part of Asian Paints), Sachin Tagra - Associate VP – Brand Capital, Ashish Despande - Co Founder, Elephant Design; Vice President, Association of Designers of India and Apurva Chamaria - Vice-President & Head - Corporate Marketing, HCL Tech, Mr. Abhimanyu Kulkarni Design Head – Philips, Nachiket Thakur –Director- Innovation & Entrepreneurship- Science & Tech Park,, Mr Shekhar Badve – Director LokusDesign, Jay Dutta – Design Partner at Saif Partners. DesignGild also has a strategic partnership with The Institute of Healthcare Design Thinking – USA.

Speaking on the launch of DesignGild’s first batch, Mr. Harshit Desai, COO, DesignGild said, "We are extremely delighted to onboard the two startups. DesignGild aims to empower these startups and help them build their product with innovation. The focus of the accelerator is towards strategic design consulting, business model innovation, and hands-on design services to enable seamless integration of design in business. We would be happy to mentor the two selected startups, RxHealth and QtPi who are unique in their own fields.”

“DesignGild has been set up by the MIT Institute of Design, as one of the country’s first design-focused accelerators. The aim of the accelerator is to provide high-quality design mentorship and resources to passionate individuals and teams to create design-led businesses. With this MIT ID will add a new offering to its student by creating the much needed ecosystem under one roof” said Prof. Anant Chakradeo, Dean, MIT Institute of Design.

With this unique and first of its kind design led accelerator program, DesignGild will create an ecosystem helping the startups grow in their sector.

Here are the profiles of the startups selected for the accelerator programme.

1. QtPi (Robotics for everyone)

QtPi founder Jaison Leon is an industry veteran from MS, Yahoo, Oracle and Tech Mahindra with software and mechatronics background. QtPi has done years of research to eliminate fatigue caused by theoretical learning and mix with exciting practical.

The company has built ‘plug and play robotic kit’, consisting of Arduino based main board, sensors, actuators, building blocks and mobile app. The kit can be used by 7+ year old kids to build infinite types of robots. QtPi has list of projects & tutorials to assist early adapters. It also works with college students to develop innovative projects using QtPi kit or to design their own product.

2. RxHealth (Bringing DRS in Healthcare)

Founded by Rohan Prakash, RxHealth is the world's first Health Informatics Company based in Pune that is catering expert system software in the field of computer-aided prognosis. It uses the avant-garde artificial intelligence solutions that recognize accurate and honest medical diagnosis support.

The principle objective is to provide the best healthcare services to every patient everywhere. It’s non-intrusive, seamless technology converts good doctors into excellent doctors by continuously upgrading their knowledge base and reference network. It helps doctors in better diagnosis and prescribing the most effective treatment to patients thus bringing down the time and cost of recovery.

On the patient side, its technology creates more aware and informed patients by providing them personalized information regarding preventions, doctors, consultations, treatment options, cost, time, precautions etc. The long-term objective is to create an effective, efficient and seamlessly integrated technology lead medical services ecosystem for better healthcare delivery.

DesignGild Gears up to Support Startups Inaugurates Its Co-working Space

DesignGild, an initiative by MIT ID (Maharashtra Institute of Technology Institute of Design) Pune, India’s first design led startup ecosystem, inaugurated its co-working space with state of the art facilities at MITID's Rajbaug campus. Designgild offers a 6 month intensive design focused accelerator program which will give startups access to design mentorship; opportunity to collaborate with designers at levels such as intern, employee or co-founder; a co-working space with access to prototyping facilities; IPR consulting and facilitation; PR and other vital business support services. This program will help startups leverage the power of design at operational and strategic levels to create business value.

Kitchen Grace India’s Managing Director and a startup mentor at DesignGild, Mr. Snehal Vasani, evinced interest in supporting startups by being a Chief Guest at DesignGild’s Inauguration Ceremony. He praised the efforts of MIT ID and said that, “It feels proud to be the mentor of such programs. This initiative is very important as it will bring mentorship and resources from industry to enable startups build new businesses”. He further added that, “DesignGild will help startups to use design for business success”.

Prof. Anant Chakradeo, Dean at Design Habitat stated at the inauguration, “MITID wants to contribute to the entire design ecosystem in a meaningful way and Designgild is a step in that direction”.

Sharing his opinion on the same, Prof. Dhimant Panchal-Director of MIT ID cited, “Startups cannot survive and be successful without proper facilities, guidance, fund and mentorship. DesignGild will give these startups a massive edge by providing high quality design mentorship and resources.”

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Prof. Harshit Desai, COO – DesignGild said, “Our aim during the journey will be to enable and support startups to transform their potential ideas with our mentoring, funding and other important resources. We endeavor to create a vibrant startup ecosystem to provide startups with the required edge to ensure business growth.”

With this inauguration, DesignGild announces its 'applications open' for the accelerator program.

Image : Snehal Vasani, MD, Kitchen Grace, Prof. Anant Chakradeo, Dean at Design Habitat, MIT ID