APPLY

Calling all startups working on smart solutions in learning, agriculture, money, sustainability, living and health!

We’re pleased to invite you to enter a new, global start-up competition called Smart Fifty, in search of 50 smart ideas to transform India. Brandeis IBS is an International Partner in this effort and co-organizing the international round in Boston along with TiE Boston, IIM Calcutta, and the Government of India.

Who is eligible to apply? 

The competition is open to early stage startups (established in the past 5 years) working on solutions that address big socio-economic needs with smart solutions. Preference given to companies with a full-time core team and working model, prototype or proof of concept ready for customer validation. Your company should have a sustainable revenue model, may have HQ in any country, but it needs to consider India as one of its markets. The winners will benefit from a hand-held experience to enter the Indian market including mentorship, incubation at IIM Calcutta, and help with establishing an entity in India which as you know can be challenging. The winners will also benefit from great exposure, as the semi-finals and finals will be broadcast on NDTV in India, and will compete for funding of approximately $1.5M. Winners from the North America round will directly go to the semi-finals.

Rewards

• Top 10 companies to pitch for $1.5M in equity funding.
• Top 50 companies to get office space and other strategic and business support functions at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park incubator.
• Top 50 companies to receive $6,000 prototype grant and mentoring workshops on doing business in India.

The deadline for application is January 5th 2018, and we would like to encourage you to apply. Please also spread the word to others who might be interested in this opportunity.

Timeline Nov 9, 2017 Smart Fifty in Boston Launch

New Deadline – January 5, 2018 Application Deadline

Jan 22, 2018 Finalists Announced

Feb 8, 2018 Demo Day, Brandeis University

Mar 21 – 25, 2018 Boot Camp with top 50 at IIM Calcutta

March 31, 2018 Grand Finale, Delhi

Who is eligible to apply? 

The competition is open to early stage startups (established in the past 5 years) working on solutions that address big socio-economic needs with smart solutions. The companies can be domiciled in any country, but need to also consider India as one of their major markets and would eventually need to set up offices in India. They will receive active support from IIM-CIP during this process.

Preference given to companies with a full-time core team and working model, prototype or proof of concept ready for customer validation.

For more information please visit www.brandeis.edu/smartfifty