From Classroom Students to Change-makers: vivo India’s country-wide initiative ‘vivo Ignite’ Sparks 'Tech for Good' Revolution

Picture this: A road so smart, so eco-friendly, so green, and scenic, it automatically recycles the carbon dioxide (CO2); it’s practically genius! Or an eco-friendly agro machine offering a game-changing solution for Indian marginal farmers, blending affordability and sustainability through solar-powered versatility or an automated Oyster Mushroom bag production machine offering a streamlined solution to boost Oyster Mushroom production by minimizing contamination risks.

These are some of the incredible ideas that harness the power of technology and innovation; and emerged as winners of the coveted vivo Ignite Awards. ‘vivo Ignite’ is a country-wide initiative by vivo India that aims to nurture and empower bright young minds of India by offering a platform for their sustainable and globally competitive ideas.

vivo recently announced the national winners of its initiative 'vivo Ignite: Technology and Innovation Awards' in collaboration with NCERT and iHub DivyaSampark, IIT Roorkee. The Grand Finale, held on February 10th in New Delhi, witnessed ground-breaking projects like the above across the nation. The first National Winner bagged a cash prize worth INR 7 lakhs, while the four runners-up shared cash prizes worth INR 14 lakhs.

The winning project, 'SMART STREET – Where innovation meets sustainability,' stood out for its ingenuity. It envisioned implementing smart streets for safer, greener, and more scenic roads by utilizing innovative technologies and environmentally conscious materials. This initiative addresses pressing concerns such as rising road accidents, pollution, and pedestrian safety.

vivo Ignite gives a platform that transcends traditional boundaries, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity among young minds in India. It invites students from grades 8 to 12 to channel their talents towards finding solutions that address societal challenges. This year’s theme, "Tech for Good," emphasized the importance of using technology for positive societal impact.

Geetaj Channana, Head of Corporate Strategy at vivo India, expressed joy at the overwhelming response, stating, "Through our initiatives like vivo Ignite, we aim to nurture and empower emerging talent, offering a platform for their sustainable and globally competitive ideas.” This commitment is evident in the substantial increase in participation from over 3,000 registrations last year to over 19,000 registrations and over 4,000 innovative projects this year.

The four runners-up were Multi-Functional Eco-Friendly Agro Machine, Automatic Machine For Ready To Grow Oyster Mushroom Bags, Optimization For Cyclists’ Posture Using Real-Time Embedded System And Data Analysis, and STEMLY, sharing cash prizes worth INR 14 lakhs.

The Grand Finale’s standout feature was its steadfast dedication to sustainability. Embracing responsible stewardship, vivo announced the Grand Gala vivo Ignite 2023 as a net-zero initiative. At its core, this commitment involves planting 216 fruit-bearing trees, a tangible gesture, aimed at fostering ecological balance and biodiversity.

Beyond environmental impact, the initiative seeks to create positive social change. By supporting a marginal farmer in Uttar Pradesh, vivo aims to provide them with a sustainable livelihood after two years of nurturing and care. Moreover, each of the 216 trees will be linked to the top 200 ideas of students from vivo Ignite 2023, fostering a lasting connection with innovation and education. These trees will be geo-tagged for ongoing monitoring, ensuring their growth and impact are tracked over time.

As part of vivo's commitment to India, this initiative has become a symbol of driving innovation and positive societal impact. The ideas received from across India cover various themes, demonstrating the depth of technological prowess. These ideas range from addressing accessibility and inclusivity to promoting health and well-being, environmental sustainability, disaster management, education, innovation, humanitarian aid, and occupational safety, reflecting the ethos of 'Tech for Good.'

The Top 25 ideas, selected based on video submissions, are being evaluated and considered for research study/incubation/start-up by iHUB DivyaSampark – the innovation center of IIT Roorkee.

vivo is also working closely with communities on more such initiatives. vivo Ignite is just one of them. Initiatives like Women in STEM, vivo for Education, Giving back to Gurugram, etc., exemplify vivo’s dedication to education, inspiration, empowerment, and celebration of innovation for a better future.