Our Most Frequently asked Questions

Q.1 Which colleges are eligible to participate in ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON?

Q.2 Which students can participate in the hackathon?

Q.3 How to register for ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON? 

Q.4 What are the benefits to the students participating in the hackathon?

      ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON is an innovation competition that aims at solving problems in the automotive domain offering:

• Encouragement to students to think innovatively and out-of-the-box
• Hands-on exposure working on industrial problems.
• Hand-holding and guidance from industry mentors for innovation projects
• Exciting prizes under various categories
• Boost confidence and team spirit

Q.5 How should the students form a team? 

• All team members should be from the same college; no inter-college teams are allowed. However, members from different branches of the same college/ institute are encouraged to form a team.
• Each team would mandatorily comprise of minimum 2 and a maximum of 4 members including the team leader and excluding the Team Mentor (Faculty Member)
• We encourage multi-disciplinary teams – which means your team should have a good mix of Mechanical Engineers, Electronic Engineers, Product Designers, Programmers, etc.

Q.6 How should the teams come up with ideas? How are the ideas to be submitted?

• 10 problem statements have been shared on the hackathon portal. Teams are free to select any problem statement that appeals to them. 
• Teams may apply to multiple problem statements, however, if multiple submissions are selected, teams may only participate in 1 problem statement for the final event. 
• Teams, under the guidance of their college mentor, can come up with an idea that can help solve the problem. 
• The idea can be explained on a 3-minute-long video where the student team will get to describe the idea that they propose to the problem they have chosen, and may show a prototype/diagram/presentation explaining their idea. The video can be uploaded on YouTube as an ‘UNLISTED’ video. You may mention the link to the video in the Idea Submission Template.

Q.7 What is the selection criteria? 

• Post Idea submission process, the ideas will be evaluated by experts. 
• Evaluation criteria will include novelty of the idea, complexity, clarity, and details in the prescribed format, feasibility, sustainability, the scale of impact, user experience, and potential for future work progression.

Q.8 How would the students receive Hackathon updates?

Q.9 What is the timeline for ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON?

The tentative dates would be:

Q.10 When/where will the shortlisted Teams be announced?

 • Notification about selected teams will be put up on our portals and will also be sent by mail. 

Q.11 Will Mentor be provided for selected teams? 

General responsibilities of Mentor 

• To mentor and guide teams via Skype/phone/video chat or in-person before the grand finale to help convert students' ideas into a working prototype. 
• To provide guidance and support to their allocated teams. Mentors along with participating students work together as a team during the grand finale 
• To work collaboratively with the allotted student team during the Grand Finale to build a working prototype. 

Q.12 What happens at the ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON?

• The Finale would be a two-day program where teams would be able to work together and create a usable product as per the idea submitted by them. Experts would be evaluating their solutions, asking them questions, and scoring the ideas. The winning teams would be announced on the day of the grand finale. 
• The Teams will have to build and display their hardware prototypes or software solution as per Problem statement requirement.

Q.13 What will be the venue for the ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON Finale?

General information regarding the Grand Finale 

• If a team is selected for the final Hackathon, members will need to travel to Pune

• College faculty members traveling with teams for the grand finale are not eligible for any reimbursement of travel expenses. 

• Accommodation details will be provided in due course. 

• Each college/institute will issue a stamped photo ID to each member of the teams selected for the finale 

• Original college photo ID is mandatory for participating in the finale.

Q.14 What are the prizes to be won?

• Amount of prize money to be awarded to each winning team is Rs.1,00,000/- per problem statement. 
• If there is a tie between two or more teams, the final decision of the prize money distribution will be taken by the problem statement creator only and once the decision is made, it won’t be changed further. 
• The team members of every winning team will be individually awarded a certificate.
• Apart from the winners all other participants will be provided with a Participation certificate.

Q.15 What if a team does not win?

Q.16 Where and how to submit the Idea Submission Template?

• Please download the Idea Submission Template from the ARAI Technovuus Mobility Hackathon Page.
• The Team will be provided a google form to submit their Idea Submission Template in Pdf format where in a provision will be provided to upload ideas according to their designated Problem statements.
• Please ensure only one idea is submitted per problem statement.
• Please name your Idea submission template PDFs in the following format: Category/Theme name_ Problem Statement serial number_Team Leader Name   

Eg: Safe_1.1_RohanRao

Q.17 Where to find the Terms and Conditions of the HACKATHON?

Q.18 How to contact us?

• Contact detail have been provided on the ARAI Technovuus Mobility Hackathon Page.
• Additionally, please contact us on:

info@technovuus.araiindia.com or WhatsApp 

Miscellaneous Information 

• Intellectual property (IP) of all submitted ideas shall lie with the student innovators. 
• If the ideas are selected for further development support, IP sharing would be applicable and details will be decided upon and formalized accordingly.
• The ideas or solutions provided/developed/proposed by the team must be new and must not have been present in any previous event/program of any sort. Any IP infringement will not be tolerated and be dealt with seriously.

TechNovuus is an open platform which welcomes different people and organizations to come together and solve pressing challenges. Individuals, professionals, students, academia, experts, and enthusiasts can be a part of TechNovuus by registering under an Individual account. Organizations such as Government Institutes and Organizations, R&D Institutes, MSMEs, private organizations, Academic Institutes and Startups can be a part of TechNovuus by registering under an Organizational account.

Q1. Which colleges are eligible to participate in ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON?

• Participation in the hackathon is open for all science and engineering colleges across the nation.

Q2. Which students can participate in the hackathon?

• Students from engineering (any stream), science, and automotive colleges are eligible to participate.

Q3. How to register for ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON Hackathon?

• Students can directly register themselves. You can click on https://i4c.in/ to register.

Q4. What are the benefits to the students participating in the hackathon?

ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON Hackathon is an innovation competition that aims at solving problems in the automotive domain offering:

• Encouragement to students to think innovatively and out-of-the-box
• Hands-on exposure working on industrial problems.
• Hand-holding and guidance from industry mentors for innovation projects
• Exciting prizes under various categories
• Boost confidence and team spirit

Q5. How should the students form a team?

• All team members should be from the same college; no inter-college teams are allowed. However, members from different branches of the same college/ institute are encouraged to form a team.
• Each team would mandatorily comprise 4 members including the team leader.
• We encourage multi-disciplinary teams – which means your team should have a good mix of Mechanical Engineers, Electronic Engineers, Product Designers, Programmers, etc.

Q6. How should the teams come up with ideas? How are the ideas to be submitted?

• A. We would share 10 problem statements (PS) on the hackathon portal. Teams are free to select any PS that appeals to them. Teams may apply to multiple problem statements, however, if multiple submissions are selected, teams may only participate in 1 problem statement for the final event. Teams, under the guidance of their college mentor, can come up with an idea that can help solve the problem. The idea can be explained on a 3-minute-long video/PPT where the student team will get to describe the problem they have chosen, the idea that they propose, and may show a prototype/diagram explaining their idea. The video can be uploaded on YouTube as an ‘UNLISTED’ video.

Q7. What is the selection criteria?

Post Idea submission process, the ideas will be evaluated by experts.

• Evaluation criteria will include novelty of the idea, complexity, clarity, and details in the prescribed format, feasibility, sustainability, the scale of impact, user experience, and potential for future work progression.

Q8. How would the students receive Hackathon updates?

• All updates related to the hackathon will be given on the website itself and also email will be sent for ease of communication. We would recommend regularly following the hackathon website and TechNovuus for updates, to avoid inadvertently missing any emails.

Q9. What is the timeline for ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON?
The tentative dates would be
Event announcement                               13th January 2022
Registrations open                                   1st March 2022
Idea submission                                       1st March 2022 – 27th March 2022
Evaluation                                                 28th March 2022 – 5th April 2022
1st Round Result announcement             7th April 2022
Grand Finale                                             28th – 29th May 2022

Q10. When/where will the shortlisted ideas be announced?

• Notification about selected teams will be put up on our portals and will also be sent by mail.

Q11. Will Mentor be provided for selected teams?

TechNovuus-ARAI and i4C will provide subject matter experts/mentors to the selected teams to prepare for the finale.
General responsibilities of Mentor

• To mentor and guide teams via Skype/phone/video chat or in-person before the grand finale to help convert students' ideas into a working prototype.
• To provide guidance and support to their allocated teams. Mentors along with participating students work together as a team during the grand finale
• To work collaboratively with the allotted student team during the Grand Finale to build a working prototype.

Q12. What happens at the ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON Hackathon?

• The Finale would be a two days program where teams would be able to work together and create a usable product as per the idea submitted by them. Experts would be evaluating their solutions, asking them questions, and scoring the ideas. The winning teams would be announced on the day of the grand finale. (please add more details on what will happen at the event)

Q13. What will be the venue for the ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON Finale?

• The hackathon finale will take place physically at Pune. An update regarding the same will be provided.

General information regarding the Grand Finale

• If a team is selected for the final Hackathon, members will need to travel to Pune
• Shortlisted teams (4 students & 1mentor) traveling for the grand finale will be eligible to receive reimbursement for to & from journey via 2S (2nd Class sleeper) railway fare. The reimbursement amount will be paid at the grand finale nodal centers upon producing copies of train tickets and completing relevant forms. The arrangement for booking of train tickets is the responsibility of the teams themselves or their institutes.
• College faculty members traveling with teams for the grand finale are not eligible for any reimbursement of travel expenses.
• ARAI TECHNOVUUS MOBILITY HACKATHON will be arranging the accommodation of teams during the grand finale.
• Each college/institute will issue a stamped photo ID to each member of the teams selected for the finale
• College photo ID is mandatory for participating in the finale.

Q14. What are the prizes to be won?

• Amount of prize money to be awarded to each winning team is Rs.1,00,000/- per problem statement.
• If there is a tie between two or more teams, the final decision of the prize money distribution will be taken by the problem statement creator only and once the decision is made, it won’t be changed further.
• The team members of every winning team will be individually awarded a certificate.

Q15. What if a team does not win?

• Winning and losing are part of the game. The overall experience derived from participating in the initiative would hugely benefit the students. Besides this, all students whether their teams win or lose will be given Participation Certificates and goodies.

Miscellaneous Information

• Intellectual property (IP) of all submitted ideas shall lie with the student innovators.
• If the ideas are selected for further development support, IP sharing would be applicable and details will be decided upon and formalized accordingly.
• The ideas or solutions provided/developed/proposed by the team must be new and must not have been present in any previous event/program of any sort. Any IP infringement will not be tolerated and be dealt with seriously

As part of our introductory offer, registrations under all categories are free for a limited duration. We recommend you take advantage of this offer and spread the word across your connects too!

In order to ensure appropriate access to different features of TechNovuus, please register as per the following categorization:

Individual User

Users & experts who wish to participate in challenges, expand their network, access platform resources, and collaborate to innovate!

Student-Under graduate and postgraduate students enrolled with an educational institution

Individual User - Academia, Administrators, Entrepreneurs, Individual innovators, Industry professionals, Start-ups, Subject matter experts and other users

Organization

By becoming a member of the TechNovuus platform, one can avail several benefits. Presently, post logging in one can: -

• View all content on the website
• Connect with our subject matter experts through 'expert connect'
• Raise enquiries on tools and resources available through 'tool connect'
• View posted challenges under Collaborative Technology Solutions
• Apply to solve a challenge
• Build your Team for challenges
• Check the status of application to solve a challenge
• View News and Updates
• Connect with like minded individuals

And lots more...

All individuals and Organizations, except experts, can participate in challenges.

Organizations such as Government Institutes, R&D Institutes, private organizations, MSMEs and Academia Institute, registered on the platform with an Organizational account, can post challenges on TechNovuus

There are numerous benefits of posting a challenge on TechNovuus, some of which are mentioned below:

• TechNovuus is one of a kind platform where like-minded individuals and organizations can come together and create online cross-functional teams required to innovate and solve multi-disciplinary problem statements to build indigenous, India specific solutions.
• TechNovuus allows challenge owners to interact with teams to review the progress of challenges
• TechNovuus is a highly flexible platform with plenty of resources, which help in mentoring and steering the teams to solve the challenges in the right way
• Organizations can easily connect with a pool of researchers in India
• It allows one to save time by tracking & managing entries online
• Challenges can be customized at ease
• TechNovuus also has mobile friendly, customized pages and technical support to help with any technical issues associated with the platform

You can participate in a challenge in 2 ways:

1. Click on the "Participate" button and build your own Team to participate in the challenge

2. Join an existing Team by browsing through the teams listed under the "Teams" tab in the challenge details

Yes one can participate in multiple challenges. However, per challenge, only one application per person is permitted

An applicant can submit only one application for one challenge.

Challenge resolvers will primarily hold the Intellectual Property rights to any solution they propose, unless otherwise mentioned in the respective challenge terms and conditions. Please refer to the "Other Information" tab of the specific challenge for more information.

Any rewards associated with the successful completion of a challenge will be decided entirely by the challenge owner. Please refer to the specific challenge page for more information

The procedure of evaluation of solutions to challenges posted is specific to each challenge. Please refer to the specific challenge page for more information

Yes, it is possible for a user to withdraw from solving a challenge before the challenge closure date.

Yes, a challenge can be updated with specific fields until the closing date of the challenge. Applicants will be notified of updates to a challenge via an email to their registered email address on TechNovuus

Frequently Asked Questions for Student Poster Presentation Competition

1. What is SPPC SIAT 2021?

The Student Poster Presentation Competition (SPPC) of Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT)  gives students an opportunity, and offers a platform to showcase their work on various automotive technology topics to practicing professionals who participate in SIAT in various capacities. This competition also gives a unique opportunity to them to acquaint with the automotive technology trends and advances. Student Poster Presentation Competition of SIAT 2021 albeit virtual, inviting bona fide engineering students of UG, PG and Ph.D. levels from all over India to participate in this Competition. Click to find more on SIAT_2021 website and how to be part of the it.

2. When will the event be held?
The SPPC is conducted in parallel with the main event. The schedule for SPPC is as follows:

3. What are the topics and categories for submission?

Based on the theme of SIAT 2021, posters are invited from students on topics from below mentioned 4 categories.

The posters shall cover on or more of the following aspects- R&D, Innovation & Technology Development, Product Design & Development, Harmonization & Standardization, Materials & Manufacturing, Simulation & Modeling, Testing & Evaluation, Automotive Electrical and Electronics, NVH (Noise Vibration & Harshness), Automotive Software and Data Science Application etc. related to any one of the above 4 categories.

4. Whom should I contact in case I have doubts?
If you have any other doubts beyond the FAQs here, kindly contact sppc2021@technovuus.araiindia.com. We will respond in three working days.

5. Where would I find the template for the poster submission?
Click on the links below to download the templates for the Posters.

• SPPC 2021 : POSTER PRESENTATION TEMPLATE LINK (Please click on the categories for downloading the template)
  SAFE	SMART	SPECIAL	SUSTAINABLE

6. How many team members can come together for the poster?
You can have maximum two (2) members in the team.

7. Do we need to include our advisor faculty on this poster?
As this is a student poster presentation competition, you should not include your advisor faculty as the co-author. But, we encourage you to discuss with your advisor/research mentor before you submit your poster.

8. Who can participate in the SPPC competition?
Any current bonafide student(s) of an engineering or science college. The work should have not been presented anywhere before. The team members will have to submit the bonafide certificate issued by the college authorities on the institute letter-head. The team size cannot be more than two authors.

9. Can I submit more than one poster?
A team of two can submit only one poster.

10. What is a Poster?
As Colby College rightly framed it - a poster is a visual summary of your project. Therefore, it should not dwell on details but rather present the big picture, preferably by graphs and images more than text. A poster thus usually explains the context, significance, method, findings and conclusions of your project.

When you submitted your poster, you can send an email to sppc2021@technovuus.araiindia.com and clearly state that you want to withdraw your previous submission and resubmit the new version. The latest submission will be the one which will be evaluated.

11. I have heard that this time SIAT is online (virtual). What about SPPC?
You are right! SPPC is not exception. All short-listed posters will be presented in the form of E-posters. You will have to present your work to the audience during the SIAT, virtually.

12. Can I get feedback on my presentation after the conference even if I am not in a competition?
We will try to connect with you and pass on the comments, if possible.

13. What do I do if my presentation is scheduled at a time I am not available?
We understand that but we cannot reschedule your presentation for personal reasons. Your poster will be withdrawn from the program.

14. How can I confirm that my poster submission was received?
If you received an email confirmation after submitting your poster, SPPC at SIAT 2021 has received your submission.

15. How can I withdraw my poster after it has been submitted?
The primary author must send an withdrawal request to sppc2021@technovuus.araiindia.com. Please include your full name, presentation title and submission ID number in all corrspondence.

Please mention in subject line : “Withdrawal_submission ID : _____________________

16. Can I present ongoing research?
Yes, posters can be presented at almost any stage of a research project, and are an excellent way to get feedback on work "in-progress". Typically, students who have been conducting research for at least two terms are well positioned to present. You are encouraged to discuss your research progress with your faculty and research mentors.

17. Are there awards for symposium presenters?
Yes, there are numerous awards for presenters in the respective categories. Please review the award descriptions and eligibility requirements on this website

18. Who is the audience?
Delegates include academics, scientists, researchers, automotive representatives.

19. When will the poster be displayed?
All posters will be displayed throughout the SIAT2021.

20. How to Register for the competition?

Read this announcement carefully.

-Watch the registration video tutorial here : https://lnkd.in/esSPCsc

-Visit the ARAI TechNovuus website : https://technovuus.araiindia.com/

-Click Register : https://technovuus.araiindia.com/registration . You have to register as a student.

-Complete the registration form.

-To know more and participate, login using your registration credentials and visit the Challenge section on the website : https://technovuus.araiindia.com/challenge

-Please note, participants are required to use the provided templates only. Template for the posters are available at “Challenge Details” section of SPPC challenge page.

1. What is Up-Tech 2021?

Up-Tech is an up-levelling program hosted by TechNovuus, an indigenous, multi-domain collaborative platform developed under the guidance of Department of Heavy Industry (DHI), Govt. of India, with the aim of enabling our brightest minds to unlock the potential of new technologies and innovations to shape the future of Mobility.

With the aim of directly enhancing and empowering indigenous Innovation and technology development, ARAI through TechNovuus has launched UpTech-a technology up-levelling program for a multitude of mobility related problem statements. The program, launched on the auspicious occasion of our nation’s 75th Independence Day, provides access to a wide range of support mechanisms, including Technology up-levelling, incubation, collaboration, mentoring, tools & resources, funding and a lot more for start-ups, MSMEs and individual innovators in the mobility ecosystem. Along with leveraging a strong industrial support system, the first phase of UpTech provides access to a funding pool of over a crore rupees.

Up-Tech aims to simultaneously solve and address key problem statements relevant to India by identifying, enabling and supporting organisations and individuals develop indigenous solutions. TechNovuus and its partner organisation organisations aim to achieve this by offering:

• Incubation Support - (services including funding support, management, mentorship, co-working space, technological assistance, mentoring, IP support, business development, or everything that is required for a start-up to grow).

• Technology up-levelling support - (Technical assistance in the form of expertise, equipment, and prototyping support for developing functional concepts and beyond).
• Collaboration Support - (Networking support with experts, business partners, suppliers, vendors, development partners, service providers, etc.).
• Mentoring Support - (Specific connect and guidance by experts and professionals in the field).
• Tools and Resources Support - (Specific tools and equipment needed for furthering your solution).
• Funding Support

Technological up-levelling and financial support will be provided by TechNovuus, ARAI while entities not currently incubated but requiring incubation support would be referred to our incubation partner.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

2. What is the Timeline like?

The event shall be conducted in the order prescribed below:

• Launch of up-levelling scheme through selected problem statements.
• Deadline for submission of application.
• Completion of first round of shortlisting and declaration of shortlisted participants. Initiation of mentoring sessions for shortlisted participants.
• Final evaluation round, commencement of presentations to level 2 committee.
• Declaration of final shortlisted innovators for further levelling up, signing of MoUs with finalised support terms and conditions.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

3. What are the Problem Statements one can participate in?

Under the first Up-levelling scheme, the following problem statements have been posted:

The application process would entail an eligibility check and the submission of a techno-commercial pitch document. This would be followed by a 2-stage evaluation process by ARAI and industry leaders, with mentoring sessions from technical and business experts for shortlisted participants.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

4. Who can participate in the Up-Tech up levelling scheme?

Any one of the following individuals/entities, working towards innovation development, deployment or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or IP, can apply for support on TechNovuus:

• Citizens of Indian origin willing to work in India besides individuals affiliated to academic institutions having incubation centres approved by the Central Government, or entrepreneurs from research institutes (in case of individuals, funding support can only be provided after registration under DPIIT as a start-up).
• Any company registered as a Start-up, as defined, and recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and is having annual turnover of less than INR 25 Crores as well as less than 5 years of incorporation.
• Any Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act, which is a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as defined in the MSME Act and updated from time to time by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and is having annual turnover of less than INR 25 Crores for last 3 years.
• Government or private organizations, academic institutions, academicians, or even individual innovators are encouraged to apply, provided they partner with entities with appropriate manufacturing capabilities.
• The majority stake (51% or more) of the applicant must be held in India. While filling up the application form, the applicants registering as a start-up need to provide details on partnerships with MSME (as defined under the MSME Act).

Please Note: These are indicative eligibility criteria and TechNovuus, ARAI reserves the right to amend application or program related guidelines, as and when deemed fit.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

5. How do I register?

• Visit the individual problem statement page as listed above

• Click on ‘Participate’ and fill out the application form

• Ensure you read the Terms of Reference and Terms & conditions

• Upload the pitch document as per the template provided. For reference, a sample pitch document is filled out for easy understanding.

• Once the evaluation is completed, participants shall be intimated on their application status and further process by email.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

6. Can I submit multiple applications for multiple problem statements?
You may participate in any number of problem statements, but one legal entity may submit only one

7. Can I submit for a partially developed solutions or concept relevant to problem statement?
Yes, applications for partially developed solutions that require specific up-levelling support or assistance for a complete or portion of the complete development of the solution may also apply and mention as so in the application.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

8. Can applications with foreign collaboration or IP solutions be submitted under this scheme?

Applications with foreign collaboration will be accepted as long as the majority stake (51% or more) is held within India. However, IP and its rights must be completely indigenous.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

9. Where would I find the template and details required for the pitch document?

Eligible applicants will have to submit a pitch document (as per the format provided) providing the following information:

1. Team Information:
   1. Name, qualification, experience, role & responsibility of promotors, key employees/members, and other external support entities
   2. Technical leads in the team need to be clearly identified

2. Technical information (wherever applicable)
   1. Brief of the proposed idea
   2. Detailed product/solution technical description (pictures and videos preferred)
   3. details of prototype
   4. current stage and challenges
   5. Innovation, differentiating factors and salient features
   6. IP and patent details
   7. Project plan
   8. expected technical support from Technovuus
   1. Technical goals

3. Commercial Information
   1. Current market status, and potential for the solution
   2. Target audience and ability of product to address the market 
   3. Collaborations proposed/envisioned
   4. Detailed budget and roadmap
   5. Business goals and plan
   6. funding support requirements
   7. Proposed partnerships to design, test, pilot and deploy the product.

• Additional supporting documents (presentations, images, videos, etc.) may also be shared along with the pitch document
• Applications to the program can only be made through the online portal on the TechNovuus website, and the portal compliant applications will only be accepted during the call for the application period.
• The applicants will need to provide all requested information on the online portal as well as the innovation project cost, a detailed budget, goals & deliverables as well as a plan and commitment to meet the balance project cost beyond the funding, which may be sanctioned by TechNovuus.

TechNovuus, ARAI reserves the right to make changes to the application form or change the duration of the application period as it deems fit without any prior intimation. TechNovuus, ARAI, will make efforts to inform the public about such changes through one or more channels, including TechNovuus’s website and TechNovuus’s official social media channels. TechNovuus, ARAI reserves the right to ask for additional information from the applicant, as and when required.

Kindly click here for the ‘Blank Template’ & ‘Sample Filled Form’. Access the ‘Registration Form’ here. Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

More in About UpTech program: Part 3

10. What will be the format and method behind the evaluation & selection process?

The applicants shall apply through the online application form available on the portal. Upon submission, the candidate will get an acknowledgement on his/her registered email id.

All the applications received for technology up-levelling will be initially vetted by TechNovuus, ARAI or its representatives on the following criteria:

• Applicability as per identified Technology buckets
• Technology Readiness
• Technology Relevance

Applications would have to meet the following criteria for further evaluation:

• There must be at-least one dedicated entrepreneur involved in the venture
• There must be a formal business plan
• The idea and team should be technically sound
• The venture and the team must have high ethical & professional standards
• The venture must have a strong technology/knowledge component
• The team should show potential and credibility for raising money in future
• The venture must be registered as a private limited company, or must be in the process of registration
• The entrepreneur(s) must be willing to share equity or revenue in the form of royalty or payback funding received in stipulated period

Evaluation criteria will include:

1. Technical feasibility and technology relevance in solving intended problem
2. Identification of market for product, and its estimated size. The applicant should have identified the first market (early adopter) they would be launching their product into. This choice of beachhead market, may evolve over the course of prototyping with detailed primary and secondary market research.
3. Clear articulation of a strong business model/outcomes and plan to deploy technologies. This is to measure the impact of the product (could be either financial or social, or both).

The applications will be screened for shortlisting by a Level-1 committee through a structured evaluation matrix. The shortlisted proposals of Level-1 shall be reviewed further through a presentation followed by personal interaction by a Level-2 committee. Thereafter, based on the recommendations of the Level-2 committee; the proposals will be approved by Director-ARAI

Criteria for screening of proposals under the two-level selection process:

Level 1 Screening (Scrutiny of Application)

The evaluation would be based on the following criteria

Level 2 Screening (Presentation & Personal Interaction)

The TechNovuus team will conduct the necessary due diligence of the short-listed applicant (designated as beneficiary from this point onwards), review of milestone driven budgets, goals and deliverables and create legal document and sign MoU to forward for further fund disbursement approval and processing within the overall program criteria. MoU will include:

• Appropriate payback/ revenue sharing mechanism either royalty/equity based or one-time payback. 
• Promotion of ARAI & TechNovuus as incubation partner
• Non-Disclosure of technical and business information exposed to during the course of incubation
• Non-compete clauses
• Contribution to TechNovuus fund post successfully growing to established company

The shortlisted candidates shall meet all necessary due diligence requirement as mentioned by TechNovuus and funds will be disbursed in tranches subject to successful completion of due diligence. TechNovuus, ARAI shall endeavour do its best to ensure a fair and balanced evaluation. However participants understand that there is a degree of subjectivity in the evaluation process, and in case of any disagreements, the decision of ARAI’s management shall be final and binding, and participants shall not contest the same. TechNovuus, ARAI reserves the right to amend any and all information and criteria shared on the program, including (but not limited to) eligibility criteria, evaluation & selection process, funding, and other conditions as and when deemed fit.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

11. What will be the funding mechanism and criterion?

1. The total fund is at least ₹ 1 crore, which will be divided among selected entities as per ARAI’s discretion.
2. A separate legal agreement will be done with selected applicants/start-ups. IP sharing model will be worked out on case to case basis. (Alternate cost recovery model can be worked out as PoC/IP exists; based on value created/added.)
3. Fund disbursement will be based on the milestones achieved.
4. Periodic reviews will be conducted to ensure compliance with set milestones.
5. Funding linked to milestones will be released after verification of the reported progress and request of fund release. Release of fund tranches will be post review to ensure the fund release gateway targets have been met.
6. Before the release of subsequent funds, beneficiary shall submit a Fund Utilization Document in the specified format along with progress report and a CA certified copy of project account statement duly remarked / reconciled.
7. Overspending by the beneficiary on any approved budget line item will strictly not be allowed without explicit prior approval from TechNovuus, ARAI. Any unapproved expense will have to be borne by the beneficiary. The beneficiary commits to meeting the goals and deliverables with the approved TechNovuus approved funds and commits to meeting any extra project cost beyond the approved fund amount to meet the committed goals and deliverables.
8. The minimum allowed tranche utilization duration is three months, and the maximum duration is six months, leading to a total allowed project time of 9 to 15 months. Post the final evaluation stage, once the finalist are announced, IP rights & sharing shall be discussed while signing the MoU in a way that is mutually acceptable for all parties.

Please Note: Funds can only be disbursed to registered entities (start-ups, MSME, pvt. ltd. Companies, etc.). Individual innovators and entrepreneurs would need to register themselves as a start-up (or other legal entity) before being eligible to access funding. The process to register as an entity can be done post final evaluation and selection, but would need to be completed before disbursement of funds.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

12. How can I confirm that my application was received?
If you received an email confirmation after submitting your poster, TechNovuus has received your submission.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

13. How can I withdraw my application after it has been submitted?

The applicant must send a withdrawal request from their registered email id to info@technovuus@araiindia.com. Please include your full name, organisational name, application title and submission ID number in all correspondence.

Please mention in subject line: “Up-Tech_Withdrawal_submission ID: _____________________

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.

14. Whom should I contact in case I have doubts?

If you have any other doubts beyond the FAQs here, kindly contact info@technovuus@araiindia.com. We will respond in three working days.

You can also connect with us on ‘Our WhatsApp Helpdesk’.

Detailed information available at ‘UpTech Program Overview’, ‘Terms of Reference’, ‘Terms & Conditions’.