Title: “India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale Start-up Challenge” under AMRUT 2.
Start Date: 12/03/2022 End Date: 11/05/2022
Background
New and emerging technologies resulting from the thriving start-up ecosystem in India is providing
breakthrough solutions to some of most critical challenges. This ecosystem needs to be harnessed for
achieving the objectives of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT
2.0) i.e., ‘Water Secure Cities’ by developing innovative solutions and addressing complexities in
the urban water and wastewater sector.
AMRUT 2.0 was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 01 October, 2021. Besides, providing
central assistance for universal coverage in water supply in all statutory towns, upscaling coverage
of sewerage and septage management in 500 AMRUT cities, rejuvenation of water bodies (including
urban wetland) and creation of green spaces, AMRUT 2.0 also aims to encourage innovative
solutions under Technology Sub-Mission. Mission envisages identification of innovative, proven and
potential environment friendly technologies in the fields of water & used water treatment, distribution
and water body rejuvenation. To achieve the envisioned goal, start- ups will be encouraged in urban
water sector.
India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale Start-up Challenge
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Govt. of India, invites applications/ proposals
from interested/ eligible start-ups to provide innovative technology, business solutions to address
challenges in the urban water sector in India. MoHUA intends to select 100 start-ups providing
workable and scalable solution for urban water problems.
Aim
The challenge aims to encourage start-ups to “Pitch, Pilot-and scale” solutions to address challenges
in the urban water sector. The objectives of the challenge are as follows:
Identify technological as well as business solutions/ innovations.
Endorse viable solutions that are suitable for different sizes, geographies, and class of cities.
Pilot test/ lab demonstration and handhold to scale the shortlisted technologies/solutions in
select cities.
Bridge the gap between innovators/manufacturers and beneficiaries- i.e ULBs, citizens.
Creating an ecosystem of start-ups in the water sector.
Promotion of ‘Make in India’ initiative by promoting Indian origin startups and technological
solutions.
Partnership with private sector, institutions, industry associations etc for implementation of
solutions.
Thematic areas
The start-ups providing innovative technological/ business solution in the following areas, are
eligible to participate:
1. Fresh water systems
a. Real-time spatio-temporal mapping of groundwater quality / surface water quality
b. Real-time spatio-temporal monitoring of water levels/volumes in aquifers and surface
water bodies
c. Nature-based treatment systems for ground and surface waters with least water and
carbon footprints
d. Innovative Rainwater harvesting systems
e. Atmospheric water recovery systems
2. Hydro informatics – use of water + data for
a. Better water management in preventing floods and droughts
b. Creating a positive impact on the health and economic prosperity of peri-urban
communities or urban slums
c. Estimating virtual water in the production of goods and services and thereby enabling a
fair price for water
3. Used water management
a. Better sewage and septage management including – On-site sanitation solution for slums
b. Technologies to maximise recycling of used water in industries
c. Innovative business models for trading in used water
d. Recovery of value from used water and creating a circular economy
e. Treatment technologies, especially for hilly regions
4. Urban Water Management
a. Decentralised circular economy solutions for communities connecting groundwater
recharge, greywater management, sewage recycling and solid-waste management with
real-time quality and quantity information
b. Decentralised water supply solutions to slums
c. Restoration and preservation of rivers, lakes, ponds, shallow aquifers
d. Urban flooding and storm water management
e. Mapping and Management of urban aquifer systems
f. Salinity ingress in urban settlements in coastal regions
g. Monitoring of water service delivery standards (quality, quantity & accessibility)
h. Water metering
i. Desalination with Control discharge / Reject water
j. Efficient flow Polymer/ Metal plumbing fixtures including taps without aerators
k. High recovery/efficiency RO systems
l. Retrofitting devices for conservation of water or wastage reduction
m. Innovative water supply solution for hilly areas
5. Agricultural Water Management
a. Reduction of water usage per ton of crop along with reduced use of energy, fertilisers
and pesticides
b. AI-ML based systems that help farmer reduce their dependence on monsoons
6. Urban Sewerage Management
a. Better sewerage and septage management including – On-site sanitation solution for
slums
b. Odourless, Waterless urinals
7. Water governance
a. Reduction of non-revenue water
b. Secure systems for 24X7 supply of potable water on tap
c. Fostering education and awareness on water
d. Targeting net zero water and net zero waste projects
e. Showcasing water and energy nexus
f. Sustainable solution for water packaging
8. Innovation in conventional taps and plumbing systems
a. Smart taps indicating water usage, wastage, recording efficiency, IOT enabled and
connected to a central database for monitoring and improvement of performance
Eligibility criteria
1. All entities recognised as start-ups by Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT). For details refer to
[Link]
2. Start-up must be providing solutions in the aforementioned thematic areas.
How to participate in the Challenge
The Challenge will remain open from 11:00 hours on 12th March, 2022 to 17:30 hours on 11th
May, 2022.
1. India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale Start-up Challenge will be available for application at
[Link]
2. The participants can register for the challenge using any valid email-id. Once registration
request is made by the applicant, an email will be sent to the registered email -id
acknowledging their registration and providing details of the participation process.
3. The registered applicant can upload proposal by choosing ‘Participate’ button.
Evaluation Process & Criteria
A two-step screening process will be adopted to evaluate and shortlist the submitted proposals.
Screening Committee will do initial shortlisting and shortlisted proposals will be scrutinized by
‘Expert Committee’ for final selection. The following broad parameters shall be considered by
committees for evaluation of the proposals:
i. Innovation
ii. Usability
iii. Relevance to the subject matter
iv. Impact on society i.e., how helpful will it be in solving critical water related challenges in
cities
v. Replicability
vi. Scalability
vii. Ease of deployment/roll-out
viii. Potential risks involved in implementation of the solution
ix. Completeness of the proposal
Important Dates
Launch of India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale 12/03/2022 on
Startup Challenge [Link]
Last Date of Submission 11/05/2022
Shortlisting of proposals To be announced
Declaration of final result To be announced
Funding & Other Support
1. The 100 final selected start-ups in the India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale Start-up Challenge will
be given a grant amounting to a maximum of Rs. 20 lakh, in three tranches of Rs. 5 lakh,
Rs. 7 lakh and Rs. 8 lakh respectively on fulfilling certain conditions/ milestones of work as
per their project proposal.
2. Selected start-ups will be facilitated mentorship support.
3. MoHUA will facilitate scaling up of solutions in partnership with industries & urban local
bodies.
4. Start-ups, who achieved desired outcomes, will be promoted for wider visibility.
5. Citation from the Ministry.
Terms and Conditions
1. All participants must meet the eligibility criteria to participate in the Challenge.
2. The funding awarded shall be consumed for development/ augmentation of the solution only.
The participant will be required to provide Fund Utilisation Certificate at each stage.
3. Winners will retain the solution/product developed as part of the challenge. The winner/s
will however have to conform to the terms and conditions defined for the challenge during
the competition and post winning the award.
4. Anyone found to be non-compliant may get their participation cancelled.
5. For any dispute redressal, MoHUA’s decision will be final on the matter.
Correspondence
Any correspondence with participants will be done through an email provided by the participant at
time of filling the application form. Organizers are not liable in case of email delivery failures.
Disclaimer
MoHUA reserved the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, suspend this contest and
modify the rules, prizes and funding related to the contest without prior notice. In no event shall
MoHUA/MyGov/NIC or any other organizers be liable for any claims, losses, expenses or damages,
arising out of or in connection with the foregoing.
For further information, related to the challenge, address your queries to startup.amrut2-
mohua@[Link]