In a significant move to address India’s water crisis, The/Nudge Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) and Ashirvad by Aliaxis, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, declared SmartTerra from Pune and Solinas Integrity from Nagpur as the winners of the Ashirvad Water Challenge (AWC). The announcement was made on September 18, 2023, during the grand finale held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The startups received generous financial rewards, with SmartTerra awarded INR 1 crore and Solinas Integrity receiving INR 75 lakhs.
The Ashirvad Water Challenge, under the banner of ‘The/Nudge Prize,’ aimed to discover innovative, scalable, and technology-driven solutions to India’s water crisis. It sought to enhance access to clean drinking water, thereby improving health and hygiene standards in urban and rural communities.
The winning startups, SmartTerra and Solinas Integrity, were selected after an intensive selection process that involved expert evaluations and on-field assessments. Out of more than 140 applicants, these two startups emerged as the standout solutions to address the pressing issue of Clean Drinking Water for All.
SmartTerra, based in Pune, operates an AI-powered data analytics platform that aids water utilities in identifying leaky pipes and faulty water meters, thereby reducing water loss. Meanwhile, Solinas Integrity, hailing from Nagpur, offers an innovative robotic solution called “Endobot” that detects leaks and contaminations in pipeline infrastructure, ensuring the integrity of the water supply.
The jury’s evaluation criteria included the solution’s impact, economic feasibility, sustainability, scalability, and its ability to address various facets of water management, such as purification, storage, distribution, recycling, and accessibility.
Kanishka Chatterjee, Director of The/Nudge Prize, expressed his confidence in the winning solutions, saying, “From Challenge to Change – the journey of this leg of the AWC would have been incomplete without the support and guidance of our advisors, ecosystem partners, and the indomitable spirit of the contestants! The 7 finalists have each unlocked innovations and disruptive value within the water value chain.”
The grand finale of The/Nudge Prize: Ashirvad Water Challenge witnessed the presence of key dignitaries from the water sector, marking a significant step toward addressing India’s water challenges.
Furthermore, the event also served as the announcement platform for the launch of the second edition of the Ashirvad Water Challenge, which is slated to open for applications in November 2023. This upcoming challenge is anticipated to be one of the largest initiatives in India, focusing on innovation and scalability to promote sustainable livelihoods at the intersection of Water and Livelihoods.
