Startup Awards

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Startup Mahakumbh 5.O Award Ceremony

The Award recognizes the professional contributions and academic achievement of an individual/organization in the area of innovation. The Awards will focus on the different sector and the challenges and opportunities in this field.

The IndiaFirst Tech-Start-up Awards ceremony, it will provide a wonderful opportunity to stakeholders in the different field to create opportunities of progress at all Levels - World, national, regional and local. Our idea is to establish the award as recognition of a significant contribution to building process as illustrious career, a role model management who is well respected among the community.

Nomination Process and Criteria

Be a part of the 21st Awards ceremony and witness the industry’s best receive their well-deserved recognition. Nominate your brand today and contribute to the future of franchising in India!

Get started in 8 EASY STEPS

  • 1
    STEP 1

    Any organization / entrepreneur /allied sector can apply. Each applicant can apply for one or multiple categories

  • 2
    STEP 2

    The nominees in each category will be presented to the final jury for determination of winners.

  • 3
    STEP 3

    Information received will be treated confidential and not used for any purpose except for determining the winners of the awards.

  • 4
    STEP 4

    Right to permit participation and cancel/change award category is reserved with Awards management.

  • 5
    STEP 5

    For AICRA member, nomination is free, For non AICRA member, nomination fee is 5,000 + 18% GST per category

  • 6
    STEP 6

    Participants need to nominate online. Post nomination, they would receive a questionnaire which they are supposed to fill, attach all supporting documents and submit it.

  • 7
    STEP 7

    The parameters for evaluation are subject to revision by the internal and external juries and Awards Management

  • 8
    STEP 8

    The last date for IndiaFirst Startup Awards nomination is 5th March 2025, and for questionnaire submission is 15th March 2025.

Benefits of Winning

  • It enables you to reach out to prospective society with renewed confidence by leveraging on the immense marketing and PR value of the award.
  • Previous winners have reported a significant increase in sales / business as a direct result of winning an award.
  • The independent endorsement of your company's expertise and professionalism.
  • Use of the widely recognised branded winners logo for use on your website and marketing / public relations material.
  • Supported by major media partners and recognised quality branded sponsors.
  • The winner shall be handed over a framed certificate.
  • A comprehensive business profile of the winner along with photographs shall be published on relevant portals online.
  • Global media coverage
  • Award winners report positive results including higher awareness, sales and levels of staff morale.
  • The winner is entitled to two passes of the gala awards ceremony.
  • One nomination category free for all members of AICRA, you may choose any category as per best fitment to your entity
  • Nomination stands cancelled if nomination note not received

Evaluation Criteria

IndiaFirst Tech-Start-up Awards aim to recognize the best innovators and entrepreneurs leading the IndiaFirst Tech-Start-up Revolution in India. To help us decide if you are indeed the best, tell us about you and your work!

Tell us about your organization: Mission, Values, Culture, and Achievements

  • How do Your Professional Values Distinguish You From the Rest?
  • How are Your Achievements Significant for the AI Industry?
  • How have You Brought Change to Your Business or Community through Innovation?

We expect entrants to use 5% of the open-ended response or 150 words answering these crucial questions.

We believe technology can be used to serve a larger purpose than being a support system to achieve business goals. Explain how you have used technology or digital tools to develop a New Business, Positively Impact a Community or Solve a Major Workplace Problem.

  • What was your strategy?
  • What objectives did you set out to achieve?
  • What risks did you identify and how did you overcome them?
  • Detail how you used technology as something more than just a support system

Spend 25% of your open-ended response on this section (or 300 words)

We are looking for organizations that have developed a solution that meets new or existing needs. Entrants will have demonstrated how they have applied technology in an innovative way to meet a specific social or business challenge. We are looking for organizations that have developed a solution that meets new or existing needs. Entrants will have demonstrated how they have applied technology in an innovative way to meet a specific social or business challenge. We expect our entrants to spend 25% of the open-ended response here (300 words).

  • Showcase the originality of your idea.
  • Demonstrate your creativity.
  • Outline how you combined strategic insights and creativity to be innovative.
  • Outline the new or existing need you set out to meet.

Outcomes decide the success of any Endeavour. So we will be taking into accounts factors such as revenue generation, capital market share, increased brand awareness, and increased client acquisition or retention.

  • Through specific examples, tell us How you met a specific social or business challenge/need/opportunity?
  • Provide a before and after analysis of the situation.
  • Share specific details about the results and outcomes you achieved

Spend 25% of your open-ended response on this section (or 300 words)

What lies in store for your business? What are the steps you are planning to take next for advancing your business? We would like to know about your plans and strategy for the future. We will take into account deciding factors such as Scalability, Future Fundraising Objectives, Upcoming Trials, Planning, Strategy, and Forecasting.

  • What goals do you plan to achieve in the next 1 to 3 years?
  • Through specific examples, tell us about your growth trajectory/strategy.
  • Share specific forecasting results or strategic plans

Spend 20% of your open-ended response on this section (or 250 words)

Awards Categories

INDIAFIRST STARTUP INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

  • Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Recognizing the remarkable achievements and vision of young entrepreneurs.
  • Founder Of The Year Celebrating the exceptional leadership and innovation of company founders.
  • Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Honoring outstanding accomplishments and influence of women entrepreneurs.
  • Innovator Of The Year Highlighting the pioneering spirit and transformative ideas of innovators.
  • Startup Leader Of The Year Commending the strategic vision and inspiring guidance of startup leaders.

GREENTECH STARTUP AWARDS

  • GreenTech Startup of the Year Championing startups dedicated to environmental sustainability.
  • CleanTech Startup of the Year Applauding excellence in clean technology solutions.
  • Best Renewal Energy Startup of the Year Celebrating startups driving renewable energy solutions.
  • Best Waste Reduction Startup of the Year Applauding startups making significant strides in waste reduction.

EDTECH STARTUP AWARDS

  • EdTech Startup of the Year Recognizing innovation and impact in educational technology.
  • Incubation Center of the Year Honoring top incubation centers fostering startup growth.
  • Best Startup Knowledge Provider Empowering organizations by providing exceptional startup knowledge. Honoring top incubation centers fostering startup growth.
  • Best Startup Initiative by Institute Spotlighting institutes for groundbreaking startup initiatives.

STARTUP SUPPORT AWARDS

  • Accelerator of the Year Honoring accelerators propelling startup growth.
  • Startup Investor of the Year Recognizing investors driving innovation and growth in startups.
  • Best Startup Supporter Award Celebrating individuals or organizations catalyzing startup ecosystems.
  • Best Tech Aggregator of the Year Shining a light on platforms aggregating technology solutions.

DRONETECH STARTUP AWARDS

  • Drone Startup of the Year Recognizing the startup providing disruptive drone technology solutions.
  • Best Drone Solution Provider Recognizing the startup providing disruptive drone technology solutions.
  • Best Innovation in Drone Technology Spotlighting disruptive innovations in drone technology.
  • SpaceTech Startup of the Year Saluting pioneering startups in the space technology sector.

HEALTHTECH STARTUP AWARDS

  • HealthTech Startup of the Year Elevating innovation in health technology startups.
  • Excellence in Tech Enabled Health Services Applauding excellence in technology-enabled health services.
  • Best HealthTech Solution Provider Recognizing companies providing exemplary health tech solutions.

IT STARTUP AWARDS

  • E-Commerce Startup of the Year Saluting outstanding contributions in e-commerce startups.
  • CyberTech Startup of the Year Shining a light on startups leading innovation in cybersecurity.
  • AI Startup of the Year Celebrating excellence in artificial intelligence startups.
  • DeepTech Startup of the Year Acknowledging pioneers in deep technology startups.
  • Blockchain Startup of the Year Recognizing innovation in blockchain technology startups.
  • Meta Startup of the Year Celebrating startups with disrupting meta solutions.
  • IT Startup of the Year Highlighting excellence in information technology startups.
  • Robotics Startup of the Year Applauding startups making significant strides in robotics.
  • Gaming Startup of the Year Celebrating innovation in the gaming industry.
  • Best Tech Solution Provider Spotlighting companies providing exceptional tech solutions.

AGRITECH STARTUP AWARDS

  • AgriTech Startup of the Year Harvesting innovation and impact in agricultural technology
  • BioTech Startup of the Year Spotlighting breakthroughs and advancements in biotechnology.

SMARTCITY & SMART MOBILITY AWARDS

  • Best Smartcity Solution Provider Recognizing the top provider of innovative solutions for smart cities.
  • Best Innovations for Smartcities Honoring the most impactful innovations contributing to smart city development.
  • E-Mobility Startup of the Year Celebrating the e-mobility startup demonstrating outstanding contributions to sustainable urban transportation
  • Best Tech Use in Transport Recognizing advancements in transportation technology

GENERAL CATEGORY STARTUP AWARDS

  • Best Tech Start Up of the Year Applauding outstanding overall startup performance.
  • Bootstrapped Startup of the Year Spotlighting startups thriving without external funding.
  • Best Emerging Startup of the Year Acknowledging promising startups with high growth potential.
  • Best Woman Startup of the Year Celebrating achievements of women-led entrepreneurial ventures.
  • FoodTech Startup of the Year Highlighting innovation in food technology startups.
  • TravelTech Startup of the Year Recognizing startups transforming the travel industry.
  • MediaTech Startup of the Year Saluting startups revolutionizing media and entertainment.
  • E-Retail Startup of the Year Celebrating innovation in e-retail endeavors.
  • HR Tech Startup of the Year Recognizing startups leveraging technology for HR solutions.
  • Best Fashion Technology Startup of the Year Applauding advancements in fashion technology startups.
  • RealTech Startup of the Year Spotlighting innovation in real estate technology.
  • Best Emerging Tech Idea Celebrating the most promising emerging tech ideas.
  • Fast Moving Consumer Goods(FMCG) Everyday essentials consumed quickly, encompassing diverse products for daily use.

FINTECH STARTUP AWARDS

  • FinTech Startup of the Year Spotlighting excellence in financial technology startups.
  • Best Financial Institution for Supporting Start-up Saluting financial institutions supporting startup ecosystems.
  • InsureTech Startup of the Year Recognizing startups revolutionizing the insurance industry.

For Awards Entries Contact