Michelin AI Challenge Unveils Top Innovators, Fostering Startup Growth in India

Michelin is one of the pioneers in tire technology. The company recently announced the winners of the Michelin AI Challenge, the first such initiative in this industry. Launched in association with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Startup India, the program aims to generate innovation and entrepreneurship within the Indian AI startup ecosystem while introducing them to international best practices.

The ceremony was organized at IIT Delhi and was attended by dignitaries Mr. Petros Sourmelis, Minister Counsellor from the Delegation of the EU to India and Bhutan, Ms. Marie Khater, Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia, at Embassy of France; Dr. Ambica Rajagopal, Chief Data and AI Officer, Michelin Group; and Mr. Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India.

Ten startups showcased their projects at the event, out of which three talented startups, namely Kogo.ai, Prophecy, and Zangoh.ai, were rewarded for particularly significant contribution to the startup ecosystem. These startups will also get a chance to co-develop strategic projects with Michelin while further sharing extremely valuable mentorship. A team involving Michelin's AI data scientists, business leaders, product managers, and developers took every opportunity to review applications submitted. Michelin and DPIIT have also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that would encourage continuous innovation and hence create a supportive environment for the startups.

The Michelin AI Challenge was 12 weeks long, which included the outreach, applications, shortlisting, and mentorship phase, and concluded with a grand finale of the selected startups. There was an extraordinary response witnessed, and the number of participating startups from all over India touched 106-approximately 60% of which were from tier 1 and tier 2 cities-testifying to the diversity and innovative AI capabilities available in India.

Top ten AI innovators at the demo day at IIT Delhi; winning teams are awarded paid pilot projects with Michelin- up to INR 5 lakh funding. Winners will also get global contracts and incubation support from Michelin leadership.

DPIIT actively focuses on the mobilization of startups in the manufacturing sector and undertakes much-needed early-stage support to move ahead with the growth. Here, the Department focuses on bridging the gap between industries and startups through the incubation process as well as industry-led incubation programs. The industry-backed incubation will equip the manufacturing startups with innovative technologies and sustainable practices so that it flourishes as a leading company in the global market.