Ceres FieldCheck, a team from the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) emerged as winners at the Innovators Connect Program Cohort 2 conducted in partnership with the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH), SIIC, IITK, along with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) and KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT- TBI). The collaboration aimed at facilitating international collaborations among early-stage entrepreneurs in India and Germany and focused on various disciplines, including life sciences, health tech, digi-tech, agri-tech, sustainability, aerospace, and energy.

The Innovators Connect Tandem Program was a two-week workshop and hands-on program held in Bengaluru, Kanpur, and Bhubaneshwar, where innovators from both countries formed tandems to address specific problem statements collaboratively.

In the final pitching session held at C-CAMP Bengaluru, nine teams presented their pitches, representing all three incubators. Among them were four teams from IIT Kanpur, with Ceres FieldCheck, represented by Poojitha Reddy Nellipudi & Adersh M, trained at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, securing the top position.  

Participants at the SIIC workshop held at IIT Kanpur were guided by IITK faculty members, including Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Prof. Ark Verma, and Prof. Jillet Sam, as well as SIIC mentors Mr. Somesh Bhagat, Mr. Palash Gupta, and Ms. Sneha Gupta. 

Professor Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, co-professor in charge at SIIC, emphasized the importance of thinking across different cultures by stating “Global challenges demand a cross-cultural mindset. By incorporating ideas from diverse perspectives, we can create effective and affordable solutions that are customized for each specific location. The key to addressing unique challenges and promoting global progress lies in thinking beyond borders."

Experienced startup founders, such as Mr. Ankit Agarwal of Phool, Mr. Rahul Patel of Primary Healthtech, Chirag Agrawal of Lenek Technologies Pvt Ltd, Mr. Dhanabal Kumarasamy of Glorious Phyto Labs Pvt Ltd, Mr. Dishant Mishra of Baud Resources Pvt Ltd, and Mr. Sarthak Gupta of Novoearth Pvt Ltd, along with Adarsh Kant, provided expert guidance in strategizing for the final day. The training sessions covered various topics, including design ideation, market strategies, effective communication, leadership skills, branding, legal and financial compliance, IP and trade regulations, sustainable engineering, value proposition, data protection and privacy, the FMCG market, and project planning for medical devices.

The team at SIIC, IIT Kanpur - Mr. Animesh Mishra (Manager), Ms. Vatsala Khare (Assistant Manager), and Mr. Utkarsh Chhabra (Assistant Manager) played an important role in shaping the ideas of these budding entrepreneurs.