100
Burrowed in the hills of Himalayan foothills, away from the city lights and the urban din, exists a startup ecosystem slowly budding and preparing to bloom! Here at the IIT Mandi Catalyst, we are ready to host the 8th edition of the Himalayan Startup Trek (HST), a three-days startup event hosted by IIT Mandi Catalyst.
The previous editions of HST since 2017 have proved to be highly impactful, with unceasing buzz throughout the two days with the presence of who's-who of the entrepreneurial and business world. The robust HST event schedules have invited pitch sessions from across the country, with opportunities to have investor one-on-ones. The events proved to be an amalgamation of startups, investors, corporations, and industry veterans from around the country to boost the startup ecosystem in the hills. With the current edition, we aim to leave the entrepreneurial minds inspired, zealous, and recharged for the times to come!
HST is a gateway for startups to Catalyst, IIT Mandi's in-house Technology Business Incubator. More than 400+ startups, in various stages of their journeys, have gone through IIT Mandi Catalyst's processes as incubatees in the last three years. While addressing pressing issues of the modern-day world, these teams tackle problems, including those of the Himalayan region. They have been hand-held, funded, and groomed by industry experts from various trade domains.
The portfolio of startups is myriad. While some are working keenly on the local issues of the Himalayan people, others are building solutions to conserve the environment. From building sensors that predict landslides and alert residents of the area well in advance to making eco-friendly cook-stoves, the desire to help the community flows through their veins.
HST 2024 promises to be bigger and better with the kind of traction it is garnering in the country's far reaches. Founders of renowned startups, industry experts, and angel investors have been brought on board to ensure the event is ripe with the right mix of flavors from the startup arena. Mentoring on high-tech topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Social Impact ventures will provide sufficient food for thought during the two days to the budding innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Himalayas have long been regarded as the land of monks, mountains, and temples and solely a summertime get-away. HST endeavors to showcase its emerging entrepreneurial potential and spirit as well. In the past five years, IIT Mandi Catalyst has strived to cradle and nurture the nascent startup ecosystem silently burgeoning in the valley. With HST 2023 almost at the doorstep, IIT Mandi Catalyst sets out to invite startups from across the country and have the world witness the growth taking place in these hills. Hail the call of the mountains! Startup in Hills with IIT Mandi Catalyst!