tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55042093774555761702024-03-06T11:01:16.877+05:30L-RAMPThe Lemelson Recognition and Mentoring ProgrammeLRAMPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18132852706864828654noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-22669864604544470772009-04-08T18:21:00.001+05:302009-04-08T18:23:17.043+05:30Changemakers and RIN<img src="http://mail.google.com/a/rinovations.org/?ui=2&ik=c009f208e8&view=att&th=12084d03fa485feb&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=0.1&zw" />Michelle Abrahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036870452965729312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-26944266310106530942008-12-18T16:10:00.005+05:302008-12-18T16:22:38.603+05:30Press conference on 21st December<div align="justify">L-RAMP is inviting press for the Press conference of “L-RAMP Award of Excellence” at 11:30 AM at Taramani Guest House, IIT Madras on 21st December, Sunday, followed by lunch. Press persons can attend “L-RAMP Award of Excellence” at CLT Hall, IIT Madras at 2 PM on the same day after the press conference. Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO of Infosys is the Chief Guest for the programme.<br /><br />Press Note-<br /><br />A BRIEF ON “L-RAMP AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2008” </div><div align="justify"><br />Lemelson Recognition and Mentoring Program (L-RAMP) is a joint initiative of Indian Institute of Technology-Madras and Rural Innovations Network, supported by The Lemelson Foundation USA. The programme was launched in September of 2004. L-RAMP supports ‘Innovations’ that can eventually create an impact in the lives of the larger section of the society, especially of the underserved population. L-RAMP provides Funding, Mentoring, Network support and recognition to the innovators to take their innovations to market. L-RAMP focuses on sectors like- Agriculture, Dairy, Water, Energy. Till now, L-RAMP has provided incubation support to 23 innovators and some of them are ready for commercialization. For more information, Please visit- <a href="http://www.lramp.org/">http://www.lramp.org/</a> </div><div align="justify"><br />The core objective of the programme is to provide incubation support to innovations that show strong promise for positive social benefits, while also leading to self-sustaining enterprises. In the pilot phase of the programme, efforts were focused on innovators based in the state of Tamil Nadu. </div><div align="justify"><br />As an initiative to encourage the innovator community and to recognize their efforts, L-RAMP has institutionalized “L-RAMP Award of Excellence”, an annual awards program. Through this award, we try to recognize various stakeholders’ viz. grass-root innovators, Young innovator, women innovator, social enterprises, social investors, media and a lifetime achievement award etc., who work towards making contribution to ‘Bottom of Pyramid’ innovation and grass root entrepreneurship. </div><div align="justify"><br />All awards, excluding Lifetime Achievement Award, will carry a trophy, certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000. Lifetime Achievement Award will carry a trophy and Rs. 50,000.<br />There are eleven awards in seven categories. Applications were made directly by the participants. The selection process consisted of three stages viz., a) Desk screening by team members based on applications received and expert reviews as and when required, and b) Selection Level 1- Presentations by short listed applicants to the panel of eminent Jury ,who selected the two to three potential candidates/ nominees c) Final selection- eminent panel of Jury selected the Winners. </div><div align="justify"><br />The awards ceremony will take place at CLT Hall, IIT Madras on Sunday 21st December 2008 and will be presided over by Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO of Infosys.</div>Dimple Bhargavahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932989599449011065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-61266721495933134202008-11-25T16:52:00.002+05:302008-11-25T17:00:43.310+05:30L-RAMP incubatee is a finalist for the Tata NEN Hottest Startup AwardFormer L-RAMP <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">incubatee</span>, <a href="http://www.perfinttech.com/index.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Perfint</span> Engineering Services</a>, has just been selected as a finalist in the India-wide <a href="http://www.hotteststartups.in"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tata</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NEN</span> Hottest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Startup</span> Awards</a>. Out of nearly 600 nominees, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Perfint</span> has been selected as one of the 30 finalists for this prestigious competition.<br /><br />We salute their achievements and look forward to many great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">health care</span> related innovations from them.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-15944561732031106052008-11-25T08:49:00.004+05:302008-11-25T09:19:37.197+05:30Announcing the RIN fellowship!A message from Rural Innovations Network, one of L-RAMP's parent organizations. The RIN fellowship is a great chance to learn about and contribute to social entrepreneurship while 'on the ground'. Contact rinfellowships@rinovations.org for more information.<br /><br />* * *<br /><div>Dear Friend,<br /><br />Rural India needs ideas that can deliver inclusive, eco-friendly and sustainable prosperity. A handful of individuals – better known as social entrepreneurs, are making a difference by blurring the boundaries between business and social good. These individuals stand out for their vision, purposefulness, passion, leadership, innovativeness, risk taking ability, and persistence.<br /><br />Do you, as an individual aspiring to be one such pathfinder, need a space that's a live laboratory to hone your instincts and sharpen your abilities? Do you need an opportunity that prepares you before you launch your dream venture? Do you simply want to break away from the routine and engage with the fascinating rural India?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rinovations.org">Rural Innovations Network (RIN)</a>, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, presents the first RIN Fellowship, an 10-month program designed to equip individuals who dare to follow their dreams and can help build a prosperous rural India. The RIN Fellowship offers the space you need to put your intent and talent into action. Through the Fellowships, you learn social entrepreneurship hands on.</div> <div>Through the RIN Fellowship program, you will:</div> <ul><li>Know through experience the innovation and social enterprise sectors</li><li>Be skilled in successfully mentoring an innovator</li><li>Know how to enable innovations effectively</li><li>Understand rural markets </li><li>Develop your social entrepreneurship capabilities </li></ul> <div>Interested in becoming a RIN Fellow? <a href="http://sites.google.com/a/rinovations.org/rinfellowship/">See the PDF file here</a> to apply! Or tell someone who wants to make a difference to rural lives in India!</div>Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-54670085017390377712008-10-30T09:47:00.002+05:302008-10-30T09:52:36.573+05:30Announcing the Innovation to Market Programme<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Over the years, we have realised that linking Innovations to the Markets is imperative to address the unmet needs of the rural customers and create the accompanying social impact. </span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">To address this particular challenge as also to make Rural Innovation Network (RIN) financially more sustainable, we are proud to announce the launch of 2 new initiatives as part of the 'Innovation to Market Programme' which is funded by <a href="http://www.hivos.nl/english" target="_blank">HIVOS,</a> headquartered in Netherlands.</span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The programs are as follows: -</span></span></p> <ol style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><li><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Innovator to Entrepreneur program - Link Innovators to Entrepreneurs to take Innovations to the Market</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Rural Innovation Fund – Market research, Fund positioning & Legal entity creation</span></span></li></ol> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The 1<sup>st</sup> program will be the responsibility of Rajeev Surana whereas RIN will be appointing a new Chief Investment Officer (CIO) to undertake the 2<sup>nd</sup> program.</span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">We take this opportunity to thank our Team members, Board Members, Advisors, Funding agencies and all those involved with RIN for their continued support and are confident that the above programs funded by HIVOS will help us move closer to realise our vision of empowering Innovators to serve rural markets and create significant social impact.</span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Special thanks are due to Mr. Muralidharan from HIVOS – Bangalore office for encouraging us to undertake these programs to address specific gaps in the Innovation Ecosystem.</span></span></p>LRAMPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18132852706864828654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-86469353565090455552008-10-29T17:06:00.007+05:302008-10-29T17:22:38.314+05:30KAVI: Making every voice heard<span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong><div align="justify">Cerebral Palsy also known as CP is often described as "An intelligent mind captured in a disobedient body". This is a non-progressive condition caused due to damage in some parts of brain especially during child delivery. This leads to loss of proper functioning of motor nerves which are responsible for neuro-muscular coordination leading to various problems including speech impairment. The muscles become stiff (spasticity) and reflex movements are absolutely uncontrolled making it impossible for a person to carryout normal days work and making him dependent on someone else. Though the learning abilities and intelligence level remains normal. According to a study conducted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that cerebral palsy has the second highest economic cost amongst all birth defects. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, as the damage to the brain cannot be reversed, but it can be managed by different interventions.<br /><br />In order to maximize one's potential; education in some form is a must. Many initiatives have been taken in last few years in terms of providing education and training to a person with CP. Technology has played a major role worldwide to overcome few of these challenges, but most often these technologies are restricted to urban areas. Unfortunately for the rural dwellers with CP, technologies have failed to address the problems of rural areas in terms of affordability and accessibility. The conventional ACC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) systems like flip-charts having alphabets, eye-pointing, graphical tablets etc are typically used in India. All these methods are slow, cumbersome and are not very interactive. Attempts have been made to create computer softwares for this purpose. But since computers are expensive and consume more electricity, these kinds of technologies could never address the rural needs.<br /><br />KAVI, designed by Invention Labs, is an AAC device focusing on children with Cerebral Palsy with speech impairment. The main goal of this innovation is to empower these children in rural India to join mainstream schools without any inhibitions or loss of self-respect. This will in turn lead to greater economic productivity and improved social perception. KAVI is a handheld assistive device with an LCD screen which has been designed, keeping in mind the special requirement of children with CP in rural areas. It has two main components: AVAZ is interacting software which generates sentences based on the click signals sent to the system which is then read out to an interlocutor. It allows children to compose sentences rapidly and hence effective communication. This also allow teachers to structure their instruction with the students with more creativity and to come up with innovative ways of conveying concepts to disabled children. ADITI is a contactless switch with a large surface area making it easy to use for a person with poor motor control skills. KAVI runs on a nickel metal-hydride battery which makes it environment friendly and safe to use. The device itself is portable which can also be mounted on a wheelchair. The design gives a very playful feel to make it easier for children to accept the device.<br /><br />L-RAMP is very pleased to welcome Invention Labs and their KAVI product into our incubation programme. In the coming months, Invention Labs will be carefully studying the wants and needs of people with Cerebral Palsy with the goal of using the study results to move KAVI towards commercialization.</div><div align="justify"><br />For further details contact:<br />Mobile no: 9600152349<br />Email: <a href="mailto:sabyasachi@rinovations.org" target="_blank">sabyasachi@rinovations.org</a></div></span>Sabyasachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403119388958120375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-38262152831831828672008-10-09T21:24:00.002+05:302008-10-09T21:56:28.552+05:30L-RAMP organising seventh PIP<div align="justify">L-RAMP is organising seventh Pre-Incubation Programme for innovators on Friday the 10th October 2008 at IIT-Madras. The purpose of the PIP is to enable the innovators to innovate better and to create an impact in the society through their innovations. About 30 innovators are expected to be attending the programme. Identified experts will take sessions on <em>Problem identification & solution, Low cost prototyping, Finding investment, Protection of intellectual properties, Licensing & Technology transfer and the twelve common mistakes committed by the innovators.</em> We hope that the participants shall implement these learnings in the idea to market journey of their innovations. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-68935457211675552752008-10-09T11:45:00.003+05:302008-10-09T12:17:16.216+05:30L-RAMP Award of Excellence - Details and Application Procedure<span style="font-size:130%;">RIN and IIT Madras present the L-RAMP Award of Excellence</span><br /><br />We know that you're an innovator at heart and love coming up with several interesting innovations. At <a href="http://www.rinovations.org/">Rural Innovations Network (RIN)</a>, we salute your creative spirit and endeavour to showcase the same. In assocation with IIT Madras we now bring you the L-RAMP Award of Excellence. A recognition and mentoring programme that seeks to identify, honour and incubate select technological innovations that significantly impact rural lives. So all you budding Einsteins and Kalams, if you have an innovation that makes a positive difference to rural lives, do enter the L-RAMP Awards. Rest assured, we will help you in every way we can, technically, financially and morally in transforming your dreams into reality. There's more! We also have awards for individuals and organizations who encourage and support rural innovations. So if you are an enterprise, media company, investor, journalist or an individual and if you have encouraged rural innovations, do let us know.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Categories</span><br /><ul><li>Grassroot Innovator Award (for Tamil Nadu based innovators who have no access to technology, funds or markets)</li><li>Young Innovator Award (for Tamil Nadu based innovators below 21 years of age)</li><li>Woman Innovator Award (for Tamil Nadu based woman innovators)</li><li>Enterprise Award (For innovation-based and commercially viable enterprises)</li><li>Investor Award (For providing novel financial support in transforming an innovation to a viable enterprise)</li><li>Media Award (For featuring issues related to innovations, in print & electronic media)</li><li>Lifetime Achievement Award (For lifetime contribution to innovation and entrepreneur development)</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >How to Apply</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For the Grassroot Innovator Award, Young Innovator Award or Woman Innovator Award</span><br />Provide the following details in English or Tamil, neatly typed in A4 size sheets<br /><ol><li>Describe your product.</li><li>How is your product new or innovative?</li><li>How will your product solve a problem in society?</li><li>Personal details (name, gender, age, education, profession, complete postal address and phone number)</li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">For the remaining categories</span><br />Print out the downloadable application form from <a href="http://www.lramp.org/">the L-RAMP website</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Due Dates</span><br />The last date for receiving applications is November 5th, 2008. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Address for mailing applications</span><br />Send your completed application to:<br />The Coordinator, L-RAMP Award of Excellence 2008<br />2nd Floor, IC&SR Building<br />IIT Madras<br />Chennai 600036<br />Phone: 044-22578389<br />Email: <a href="mailto:award2008@lramp.org">award2008@lramp.org</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Important</span><br />The materials provided along with the application will not be returned. L-RAMP will be committed to maintain confidentiality of your application.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-84341071230239564442008-10-09T11:34:00.004+05:302008-10-09T11:45:23.885+05:30L-RAMP announces the 4th annual L-RAMP Award of Excellence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZDjXK04W762yY0dpjEL_gxYmg7_VojmtVfkF29hC7wbltuivpAL3OGy-OUWEAuLZ8XOvhqd28i2-wCJMYwKsqVApCepZjUjgTWXDnhigNwuD55bRxodc0y_3tvT_BB6y1_bdJqg57WY/s1600-h/LRAMP+mailer+front.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZDjXK04W762yY0dpjEL_gxYmg7_VojmtVfkF29hC7wbltuivpAL3OGy-OUWEAuLZ8XOvhqd28i2-wCJMYwKsqVApCepZjUjgTWXDnhigNwuD55bRxodc0y_3tvT_BB6y1_bdJqg57WY/s400/LRAMP+mailer+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255032878358401410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AbJIpAO8ygN2_YQB2DJW-rMesSrEFUljT6ETRl3XDztYFpKdZWk_E4XkrTphWqF8M_1_sTee5U3Fannk_YjF3Zc5XNOn1Y4_ape7s6eaPs_7bmuPd-jF8agr9iuTG1da5K517Vi6BXU/s1600-h/LRAMP+mailer+Back.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AbJIpAO8ygN2_YQB2DJW-rMesSrEFUljT6ETRl3XDztYFpKdZWk_E4XkrTphWqF8M_1_sTee5U3Fannk_YjF3Zc5XNOn1Y4_ape7s6eaPs_7bmuPd-jF8agr9iuTG1da5K517Vi6BXU/s400/LRAMP+mailer+Back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255032878277283650" border="0" /></a>Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-69203013191455728452008-10-04T09:37:00.002+05:302008-10-04T10:23:19.500+05:30Space technology vs. Rural technologyAt yesterday's <a href="http://www.shaastra.org/2008/Events/Engenious">Engenious event</a>, held as part of Shaastra 2008 and sponsored by <a href="http://www.rinovations.org">RIN</a>, we had a very interesting panel discussion led by various members of Tamil Nadu's innovation community.<br /><br />One of the panel discussants was speaking on the difficulty of encouraging students to take up projects for rural development, especially on the perception that rural technology is boring. He shared an interesting perspective he'd heard from somebody else (and I paraphrase here):<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">Rural technology and space technology have a lot in common. </span><br /><ul style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><li>You have to design for an inhospitable environment with harsh environmental conditions<br /></li><li>Once deployed, service or maintenance is very difficult/impossible to undertake</li><li>The challenges being faced are very difficult (and often similar, such as creation of energy, sanitation and communication)</li><li>The products/services often cannot depend on existing infrastructure</li></ul><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">The great thing about rural technology, and the key point that makes it so interesting, is that you must meet all of the above challenges and with two extra difficulties:</span><br /><ul style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><li>It must be delivered at an extremely low cost</li><li>There is a wide variety of customers to satisfy, each having different needs and wants</li></ul>I thought it was a great perspective to share with students and one which I will surely use in the future.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-45700589938688092032008-09-26T16:02:00.002+05:302008-09-26T16:16:59.487+05:30New staffOn September 1st, 3 new staff joined our team. We're happy to have them with us and look forward to them posting their views on this blog soon.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rajeev</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Surana</span>, a Chemical Engineer and Marketing Management graduate has a deep passion for connecting innovation to markets which has to be enabled by creating an innovation ecosystem in India. This brings to the fore his 10+ years of varied work experience, the last as an entrepreneur providing recruitment & marketing solutions to the R&D Sector. He will be setting up the Technology Transfer & Licensing division which would be responsible for commercializing innovations in the L-RAMP programme.<br /><br />Michelle Abraham, a Management postgraduate from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">IIFM</span>-Bhopal, has joined L-RAMP to focus on external relations, including networking, scouting and interacting with nodal institutions. Michelle brings with her significant experience in development programmes including setting up and operating vocational training centres with an international <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NGO</span> as well as monitoring and evaluation of a variety of government rural development programmes.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sabyasachi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Das</span>, a post graduate and graduate of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">VIT</span>, has joined L-RAMP to mentor our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">incubatees</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sabyasachi</span> was a Sir <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ratan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Tata</span> Trust Fellow which provided support and the opportunity to meet enthusiasts from different organizations and institutes. He has worked on different aspects of community health, especially on appropriate technology assessment for primary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">healthcare</span> with organizations such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">IISc</span>-ASTRA, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">FRLHT</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">IIT</span>-Madras. He was also a member of the Community Health Cell, Bangalore.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-41807102198239585892008-09-17T16:19:00.002+05:302008-09-17T16:21:26.748+05:30Aid is good, business is betterA piece from the President of Liberia on how development through enterprise is more efficient than development through aid.<br /><br />The article is <a href="http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MzEzMTA">here</a>.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-16108471793227913612008-09-16T15:57:00.002+05:302008-09-16T16:02:35.688+05:305 Interesting Articles to ReadThe last weeks have been exceedingly busy and so I haven't had time to post articles I've been saving as interesting - I post them here for your reading.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2008/08/11/080811ta_talk_surowiecki">The impact of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">overregulation</span> on business</a></li><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7567778.stm">The quiet Brazilian farming revolution</a></li><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7606445.stm">The progress small states have made in economic reform</a></li><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7616641.stm">The EU launches an initiative to bring the academic innovation engine back online</a></li><li><a href="http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/12/stories/2008091256451700.htm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Airtel</span> launches a Rs. 200 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">crore</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">USD</span>50M) Innovation Fund</a><br /></li></ul>Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-74002809728268065002008-08-21T22:59:00.002+05:302008-08-21T23:03:55.956+05:30Harder challenges make for better solutions<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7572792.stm">A great article</a> on how the constraints of delivering medical care in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, has led to a reduced cost and better outcome treatment for patients in the UK as well.<br /><br />An example of how products/services created for the world's poor can compete and win against those designed for the fortunate 10%.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-39484601882138675332008-08-05T19:32:00.005+05:302008-08-05T19:48:08.028+05:30VIT interviews candidates for Student Project Support SchemeThe <a href="http://www.vit.ac.in/">Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University</a> in Vellore today interviewed 17 candidates for the <a href="http://www.lramp.org/spsp.html">L-RAMP Student Project Support Scheme</a>. Each student (or team of students) has an idea for an innovative project with social benefit and so, through the <a href="http://www.vittbi.com/">Technology Business Incubator (TBI)</a> at VIT, presented their idea and where they plan to reach in 1 year. A total of Rs. 2,50,000 is available for disbursement and the committee comprised of the VIT TBI coordinators, VIT faculty and an L-RAMP representative will decide on the top projects in the coming days.<br /><br />Projects presented ranged from innovative ways to reduce heat transmission through windows to novel ways to generate electricity from VIT food waste and many things in between.<br /><br />We at L-RAMP are happy to support budding student innovators and help them along their journey from idea to reality, especially whilst they're busy in that most fertile of times, college life. Look for future updates on the progress of our selected students from VIT and our other nodal partners.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-63059661413662102442008-08-02T13:46:00.005+05:302008-08-02T14:06:33.532+05:30Reduced global food availability - the Europeans and Russian reactTwo articles (from the BBC) discussing changing patterns in agriculture as a result of global changes in food availability are listed below.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7538102.stm">This article</a> discusses the European response, with 1.3 million hectares of previous fallow land coming back into production in Europe. Leaving aside the potential significant environmental consequences, it is interesting to see how quickly the Europeans have reacted to the economic potential of food in the face of reduced global availability.<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7528850.stm"><br />This article</a> discusses a similar situation in Russia with over 40 million hectares (100 million acres) of fertile agricultural land, previously lying idle (a result of post-communist collapse?) now coming into production through large commercial farms. In this case again, it is the global demand which is fuelling this investment.<br /><br />It raises interesting questions in my mind (particularly given the <a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=27534&Cr=WTO&Cr1=trade">recent collapse of the Doha round of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">WTO</span> talks</a>) around issues such as<br /><ul><li>How long will global food prices stay at current high levels</li><li>How can countries like India leverage their vast farming potential in more productive ways</li><li>How can countries like India benefit from global food demand</li></ul>Any ideas?Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-56641571393996937332008-08-01T20:01:00.006+05:302008-08-01T20:15:51.147+05:30L-RAMP attends the J-PAL 'Evaluating Social Programs' courseFrom the 28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> of July to the 1st of August, L-RAMP was fortunate to be part of an executive education course dealing with 'Evaluating Social Programmes' held at the <a href="http://www.ifmr.ac.in/">IFMR</a> in Chennai. The course was organized and delivered by <a href="http://mit.edu/">MIT</a>'s <a href="http://www.povertyactionlab.org/">J-PAL lab</a>, the base of a network of development economists advocating the use of randomized trials to conclusively determine the impacts of social programmes. J-PAL (or the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) is in some ways the epicenture of a new movement in economics, focussing on micro-level studies to impact macro-level policies.<br /><br />Taught by 4 faculty members from MIT (A. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Banerjee</span>), Harvard (S. Cole, R. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pande</span>) and New York University (R. Hanna), the course covered topics relating to understanding and designing randomized impact trials.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-46358619304304172602008-08-01T19:43:00.004+05:302008-08-01T20:00:46.536+05:30Innovation at General Motors? The Volt.General Motors (GM) has been pursued for decades by competing automakers but in recent years, the news has turned exceptionally bad. Just today, they reported a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7537283.stm">3 month loss of $15.5 billion <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">USD</span></a>, a staggering amount even considering that many of the charges are one-time charges relating to their ongoing restructuring efforts.<br /><br />Losing money, stock value plummeting, their public perception poor and their product mix unsuited to the world conditions, in 2006 GM Vice-Chairman Bob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lutz</span> began work on an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uber</span>-ambitious project to take on the sector of the automotive market which the other market leaders were not attacking and which they said was not possible. The 'plug-in' car, today called the 'Chevrolet Volt' had no competitors because other companies, notably hybrid leader Toyota, said it wasn't possible, and especially not possible in the 2010 model year as announced by GM.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/print/200807/general-motors">This article</a> discusses in very interesting detail the various ways which necessity has forced GM to change in order to allow the development of the Volt in such a short <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">time span</span> and the myriad innovations necessary to bring it to today's point in its development. In short order, most other leading automakers announced their own plans for plug-in cars, following <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">GMs</span> lead shortly after poo-pooing the idea.<br /><br />I find the parallels between GM (with the Volt), Apple (with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">iPod</span> and OS X) and the grassroots innovators we work with interesting, each innovating when faced with difficult situations. It will be interesting to see if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GM'ss</span> push with a 'game-changing' product (if such cliche is permitted) will be the harbinger of a turn-around and perhaps they will return to their glory days, using innovation to maintain their automotive leadership.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-22746249786521465202008-07-23T11:03:00.002+05:302008-07-23T11:04:45.811+05:30Food for thoughtIt's not the genius who is 100 years ahead of his time but average man who is 100 years behind it.<br /><br />-Robert Musil, novelist (1880-1942)Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-73598008309850093732008-07-19T16:13:00.003+05:302008-07-19T17:08:25.769+05:30Sixth Pre Incubation Programme<span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">The sixth pre-incubation programme for grassroots innovators will be conducted on Saturday 26th of July 2008 from 10am to 4pm at hall 1, IC&SR, IIT Madras. The purpose of this programme is to enable the innovators to innovate with market perspective and also to think through how they can address the existing problems in the society with their innovations. It also helps them to have better understanding of the challenging journey from idea to market. The programme will be led by a number of experts from various fields to conduct a </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">series of skill and knowledge building sessions </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">on creative thinking, </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">the mistakes to be avoided by an innovator for making the innovation successful, </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">intellectual properties and rights, licensing and technology transfer, investment for innovations etc. We believe that this programme will definitely help the potential innovators in bringing their innovations to life </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">by making use of their capabilities effectively </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-16457032860107371292008-07-19T11:52:00.004+05:302008-07-19T12:06:42.511+05:30L-RAMP and Shaastra 2008 begin collaboration<a href="http://www.shaastra.org/2008/">Shaastra</a>, an annual event celebrating the spirit of Engineering, will again be held at IIT-Madras from the 1st to the 5th of October, 2008. Coinciding with the Golden Jubilee celebrations for IIT-M, this year's event listing include the Shaastra Conclave, 5 Golden Design challenges (addressing key problems facing India) and Engenious, a design challenge event. Over 30,000 students from over 800 of India's best Engineering colleges are expected to attend.<br /><br />L-RAMP is keen to support this initiative and, as a first step, has contributed 2 of the 4 challenges for the <a href="http://www.shaastra.org/2008/Events/Engenious">Engenious event</a>. The challenges are:<br /><ol><font> <li>Find a way to make a non-kerosene based lighting system for Rs. 100/-</li></font><li>Design a small-scale, cost-effective de-husking machine for minor millets (these include ragi, thinai, samai, kambu). The machine can be manually operated, or use a single-phase motor of no more than one HP. An innovation of this nature would help farmers add value to millets in their village, while at the same time enabling them to make nutritional, delicious snacks such as biscuits using these grains. </li><li>Develop a soil nutrient analysis kit which can provide information regarding the availability of 12 nutrients vital to plant growth. The participants are required to design a prototype of the kit, keeping it simple, at a reasonable cost for its provision to farmers.<font> </font></li><li>Design a low-cost rainwater harvesting system including the water collection and storage components, suitable for a single family and costing less than Rs. 200.</li></ol>Stay tuned for further announcements of collaboration between L-RAMP and Shaastra 2008.<br /><br />Mark your calendars, get out your slide rulers and we hope to see you there, along with your ideas.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-1555196173142582762008-07-10T12:34:00.002+05:302008-07-10T17:39:11.103+05:30Press ReleaseAs part of our services offered to innovators, L-RAMP is organizing a quarterly review meeting and a parallel session on capacity building for all the 18 incubatees on 15th July, 2008. The idea is to review the innovations, achievements, impact and plan of action in next quarter. As part of capacity building session, innovators will also get a chance to interact and share each other’s learning. L-RAMP will, too, share strategies on marketing, commercializing products and raising funds for business. <br /><br />Our goal is to facilitate interaction between innovators and thus to help them take their innovations further, faster.Dimple Bhargavahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932989599449011065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-58355719092722982742008-07-10T10:51:00.002+05:302008-07-10T10:55:18.789+05:30Fear of innovation or changeI received this word in my email inbox this morning as part of my 'Word of the Day' email from wordsmith.org<br /><br />I thought it was a useful word to know as we go about our work promoting innovations and building an innovation ecosystem.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=misoneism">Misoneism - A hatred, fear or intolerance of innovation or change</a>Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-27396636881868937832008-07-08T17:04:00.004+05:302008-07-10T17:36:48.319+05:30New L-RAMP incubation!<div style="text-align: justify;">A new innovation that really can have a great impact among backward communities of rural India is approved for incubation at L-RAMP in June 2008. This is a unique business model; a service innovation where one of the critical components is itself an innovative product! The major objective of this project is to increase the income of nomadic sheep rearing farmers through a well organised business model. It also plays a role in preservation of indigenous breeds of sheep. Let's hope this innovation may bring a ray of hope in this unorganized and neglected sector and <span id="1flp">set the pace for a paradigm change.<br /><br />For further information please contact <a href="mailto:ancy@lramp.org">Ancy Thomas</a>.<br /></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5504209377455576170.post-57206104426218758412008-07-08T13:51:00.005+05:302008-07-10T10:49:52.719+05:30L-RAMP incubatee raises Angel Funding<a href="http://www.desicrew.in/">DesiCrew</a>, a rural BPO company and an L-RAMP incubatee since December 2007, has raised angel funding from a prominent private investor and leading player in the BPO sector, Mr. Rajiv Kucchal. <br /><br />Rajiv has nearly 22 years of management experience with 16 years in Infosys Technologies, Ltd--a leading global company that provides consulting and IT services. Rajiv was one of the founding members of Infosys BPO (earlier Progeon) , the business process outsourcing (BPO) subsidiary of Infosys Technologies where he was the Head of Operations and subsequently the Head of Business Transformation. Rajiv is an alumni of IIT Delhi.<br /><br />As an angel investor he shares a common vision with DesiCrew on the untapped potential of youth in rural areas and small towns of India. The investment will allow DesiCrew to pursue their aggressive growth strategy and leverage their innovative solution delivery model to continue to provide value to rural employees and urban clients.<br /><br />For further information, please contact <a href="mailto:asharma@rinovations.org">Arun Sharma</a>.Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09608640178859721012noreply@blogger.com0