SBI Foundation, Social Alpha Select Top 4 Start-ups from Assistive Technology Challenge

Representative Image via  Eren Li from Pexels

Winning start-ups, Tinkertech, Cureous Labs, Urvogelbio, and Quarkbitz, to get grant and incubation support for 1 year

A comfortable wearable assistive technology device for the deaf, a device for pressure injuries and bedsores, a biofluid based diagnostics tool to effectively manage central nervous system diseases and other neurodegenerative conditions, and an AI-powered mobile app that empowers the blind, were the four winning solutions at the recently concluded Techtonic: Innovation in Assistive Technology. Jointly conducted by Social Alpha and the SBI Foundation, the challenge invited innovators and entrepreneurs working on products and services that address the difficulties faced by people with disabilities (PwDs) and enable them to lead an empowered life.

The challenge received an overwhelming participation from startups across India. The participants were evaluated based on technological innovation, social impact, and business roadmap among other parameters. The program focused on the following areas: Visual Impairment, Developmental Disorders and Chronic Neurological Conditions, Locomotor Disabilities, and Speech & Hearing Disabilities.

The four winners were chosen from 21 finalists. The winners, Tinkertech, Cureous Labs, Urvogelbio, and Quarkbitz, are eligible for a grant support of INR 15 lakhs, and a year-long Incubation support from Social Alpha. The top 10 finalists, including the winners, are eligible for a Certificate Program in Assistive Technology Solutions by National Institute for Speech and Hearing (NISH).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kshama Kothari, Director of Health and Wellness, Social Alpha, said, “We, at Social Alpha, recognise the need to promote and support R&D in Assistive Technology that can play a pivotal role in reducing social gaps and improve the quality of life of PwDs. I thank SBI Foundation for its enduring commitment to creating an inclusive development paradigm and its support to the Techtonic initiative. Social Alpha will strive to create an enabling ecosystem for AT products and services and catalyse their lab-to-market journey."

Smt. Manjula Kalyanasundaram, Managing Director - SBI Foundation, said, “SBI Foundation remains committed to using technology for development, making it accessible to everyone in our society. According to estimates, 1 in every 12 households in India has a family member with a disability. However, due to low literacy levels, social stigma, and lack of opportunities, PwDs remain the most excluded members of the society. Through our flagship program Centre of Excellence for Persons with Disabilities and partners, we aim to scout and nurture assistive technologies that foster inclusivity, remove barriers for PwDs in everyday life and promote holistic development and growth."

According to estimates, India accounts for 40 to 80 million PwDs - i.e., 1 in 12 households has a family member with a disability. However, due to low literacy levels, social stigma, and lack of opportunities, PwDs remain the most excluded members of society. A large number of children with disabilities stay out of school, disabled adults are unlikely to be employed, families with a disabled member tend to be economically weaker, and the ageing population puts a lot of financial stress at both the household and national level. Techtonic: Innovation in Assistive Technology is aimed at scouting and nurturing assistive technologies that foster inclusivity and remove barriers for PwDs in everyday life.

About the winners of the Techtonic: Innovation in Assistive Technology

Tinkertech has built “TranscribeGlass”, a comfortable wearable assistive technology device for the deaf, hard of hearing, the elderly, and other people who want to improve their comprehension of spoken communication using captions.

Cureous Labs has built a solution for pressure injuries and bedsores in spinal cord injury, quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis patients, who are bedridden and lack mobility.

Urvogelbio is developing and commercializing biofluid-based diagnostics to effectively manage central nervous system diseases for prognosis/diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Quarkbitz has built “AudibleVision", a multipurpose AI powered mobile app that empowers the blind and people with low vision to access visual information. During the pandemic, it helped users to maintain social distancing.

Mumbai-based Shopicoin Invites Applications for a Prospective ICO, Launches an ETH based Crypto for Investors

Mr. Chittaranjan Roy, CEO Shopicoin ICO while lighting lamp at the event

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India -- Making money is something that everyone lives for, but what about virtual money, are they capable of fulfilling dreams as well? The Cyptocurrency is a development that has swept across the new generation with a reliable digital payment option. Taking the technology forward is the ICO or Initial Coin Offering. A number of names have emerged in the past few years in the ICO bandwagon and Shopicoin is one of the latest additions. The company boasts of a strong base and has gained a new momentum joining hands with Shopizio e-commerce Limited.

In an event held for the pre-launch of the Shopicoin ICO, Mr. Chittaranjan Roy, the CEO was heard saying, “We want to carve a niche in the digital world through our customer-oriented projects that also reflect our modern outlook." He further said “Extending our futuristic business concept is Shopicoin that merges the traditional benefits of crowdsourcing with the modernity of the Blockchain."

Mr. Chittaranjan Roy, CEO Shopicoin ICO

On asking what makes Shopicoin different from other ICO programmes, Mr. Roy clarified that Shopicoin refrains from any sort of false claims and promises to the investors. It is getting launched with a lot of transparency and adopts a long-lasting approach keeping the interest of the investors in mind. He also revealed that as the ICO proceeds, there will be many more pleasant surprises for those, who want their funds managed and multiplied, in a dynamic way.

It is notable that the Shopicoin ICO offers a number of extra income features under following programmes

• Binary Level Income
• Referral Income and
• Director's Club Bonus

Investors are also entitled to rewards on holding of the tokens till the completion of the ICO. If that is not all, they can trade their Shopicoins on recognised Crypto exchanges, once ICO gets over.

With so much noise about Blockchain and Cryptocurrency going around, trying your hand in the crypto world is not a bad idea at all. And with companies like Shopicoin, investors are in safe hands, going by the words of the CEO. In the age of Internet, where physical transactions are losing their importance, Shopicoin not only offers ease of payment, but also a promising future to the investors.

About Shopicoin

Shopicoin Cryptocurrency Limited (Registration code: 14807386) was incorporated on 18th September, 2019 in Rosenitn13, J 0111, Tallinn linn, Harju Maakond, Republic of Estonia, with a share capital of EUR 2500.

Shopicoin is a cryptocurrency based on the concept of propagating convenience in financial transactions and it is this concept that makes it a superior payment solution. It is an answer to the search for a dependable digital currency backed by modern, real world applications. Shopicoin promises to start off a new wave of decentralized and trusted payment in world e-commerce ecosystem, which would work along with the current platforms. Our competitors in the market would include all the e-commerce platforms that fail to provide viable benefits before consumers. Consumers would have the power to both gain and retrieve Shopicoin tokens on our e-commerce marketplace, Shopikuchbhi. One of the basic benefits of being on Ethereum Block chain would be to merge the advantages of Payments & Rewards in certain products where customers would be excited to get hooked in via utilization of Blockchain technology.

For more information about the ICO and the company visit shopicoin.in.