Hyderabad: There is an overwhelming response for the “STAMP” (Station Access and Mobility Program) challenge announced by Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. in June this year, in partnership with World Resources Institute (WRI) India, Toyota Mobility Foundation and L&TMRHL.
This is an open challenge platform for start-up companies, entrepreneurs and investors to offer technical solutions and sustainable business models to provide first mile and last mile connectivity for Metro rail services and to improve the commuter experience in Hyderabad.
Over 85 applications were received from India, US, South Africa and European countries, out of which 22 solutions were selected in the initial screening and their presentations were examined over the past three days at Metro Rail Bhavan by a jury consisting of MD, HMRL NVS Reddy, COO, L&TMRHL Anil Saini, Mr.Phanindra Sama, entrepreneur and Chief Technology Officer, Government of Telangana and experts from WRI, T-HUB, TWC, WeHUB, GE, Wells Fargo, Tempus Law, etc.
“STAMP Challenge” is an innovative challenge platform that identifies innovative ideas, technologies and business models for mobility. This programme is an amalgamation of Government initiative, private sector entrepreneurship and encouragement to start-up eco-system to provide affordable and sustainable mobility solutions, explained NVS Reddy.
The solutions offered by the first round selection of 22 start-ups ranged from electric cycles, E-scooters, foldable and carriable cycles, IOT (Internet of Things) based solutions, digital payments and shared mobility to aggregated platforms, instant car pooling service for home and office commute, medical taxies and ambulance aggregation services for differently abled people, etc., he announced.
Addressing the participants during the opening session on Thursday, Minister for MA&UD K.T. Rama Rao advised the participants that while their ideas may be brilliant, they should nevertheless understand the local circumstances and take into consideration the users’ needs to convert their ideas into successful techno-business solutions.
After intense gruelling over the past three days, 12 start-ups have been shortlisted to further undergo intensive boot camp sessions for another three days from 8 to 12 of August at Metro Rail Bhavan with experts from transit agencies, investment groups, industrialists, product management, customer relations and communications. The solutions offered by these 12 start-ups, which clear the 2ndround of evaluation, will be further distilled on the basis of their implement ability and business sustainability and funding arrangements will be made for the winning entries.
The process will culminate in the final “pitch day” on the 11th of August at Metro Rail Bhavan, where the prospective entrepreneurs will pitch their respective solutions to senior Government officers, industry and mobility experts, investors and venture capitalists. There will be a display of the proto type products and solutions and the session that day would be open for major stakeholders and media as well, added NVS Reddy. (NSS)