The registration form will go live on the website homepage on 5th August, 2021 and will remain open for applications until 14th September, 2021. Please check the challenge details for more information.
Yes. Absolutely! We have designed this challenge so that you benefit from multiple tangible outcomes on completing each phase within your selected track. For example, if you qualify for Phase 3 in Track 1, you will receive the prizes offered to winners of Phase 1 and Phase 2, within Track 1, by default. More details on this can be found in the individual phase sections.
Though this challenge is primarily geared toward solving problems related to the future of protein, it does not compulsorily require a background in food science or allied fields.
An inclination to understand the problems facing our current sources of animal-derived foods, the metrics of evaluation criteria, and a rationale rooted in science, feasibility, and logic, combined with a sheer will to improve food systems is what would make you a successful smart protein innovator. Please refer to the evaluation criteria for more details.
Refer to the challenge details and the registration form for more information on the suggested criteria for each track and technology area.
Track 1 will be a theoretical Innovation challenge with no prototype required throughout the challenge.
Track 2 will not require a prototype in Phase 1 and Phase 2. In Phase 3, participants will be evaluated on their ability to create a minimum viable product or provide data validation to back up their claims from Phase 1 and 2. We hope for you to be able to create proof of concept of your ideas through the resources available through our ecosystem, post the completion of the challenge.
We will be guiding the applicants in Phases 3 & 4 via check-in webinars and advisory sessions.
Ensure that you study the resources offered to you in Phase 1 diligently and create a diverse team capable of thinking about science and economic feasibility specific to the Indian context.
A primary written proposal is compulsory in Phase 2. You can submit supplementary material over and above the evaluation criteria, which will be considered to complement your entry, but would not give you an edge over and above the fundamental evaluation criteria. Please refer to the evaluation criteria for more details.
The Demo Day will be held on World Protein Day — 22 February, 2022. It is mandatory for one member of each team to be available for the Demo Day. Given the Covid-19 situation, this Demo Day will likely be hosted virtually.
If you have a pre-existing solution in mind that fits the criteria for eligibility and evaluation, please feel free to apply to Track 2 of this challenge and refine your idea throughout the challenge phases.
The timeline of the challenge is strictly driven by the individual deadlines of the 4 phases within. These dates will be available to you after signing up for the challenge
Yes, you can. ISPIC 2021 is designed with an expanded focus for participants to ideate and innovate in whitespaces across the value chain of plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-derived proteins. We have also updated our curriculum with new resources in our Smart Protein Digital Lab to keep you engaged, and an extended prize pool of INR 20 lakh to give more participants an opportunity to get their smart protein career started.
After Phase 1, successful participants (60%+) will undergo match-making to form teams of 3 to 4, as per the prerequisites laid out in each track by GFI India and our challenge partners. You will have the opportunity to network with other participants and choose your own teammates based on aligned interest. While the challenge structure across each phase in each track and technology area of interest (plant-based, cultivated, fermentation) is consistent, the resources shared and sessions organised will be different.
Yes, they can in our specific entrepreneurship track - Track 2. However, do note that all members of an existing startup that want to participate as a team (from Phase 2 onwards) in ISPIC 2021, will have to sign up separately from the very start and mandatorily qualify phase 1 (60%+) individually as well. Those members can then form a team in match-making week, same as your existing startup team structure. The Lab will cover some of the foundational/ background information on the smart protein sector and going through these resources will only equip your team better to succeed in the sector.
There will be ample time between each deadline for participants to plan around their personal schedules. We suggest you apply for the challenge and see how it suits you as your exact level of involvement will depend on your commitment to the challenge.
Prior to Phase 1, all participants that are registered on the platform will be accepted if they are eligible to participate, submit a completed application form and meet our minimum academic criteria. You will receive confirmation of the same by 16 September, 2021.
Track 1 will focus on theoretical solutions, and Track 2 will require some data validation and prototyping. You can have a look at our evaluation criteria across Track 1, Track 2 and all technology areas to get a better understanding of what our requirements are for successful teams to move across Phase 2 to Phase 4.
Upon successful completion of Phase 1 (60%+), we will invite all participants to register as part of our Talent Database which we circulate to companies who are looking to hire in the smart protein sector.
Track 1 will be focussed on specific problem statements - we will share 15 across plant-based, fermentation and cultivated after successful completion of Phase 1. If you wish to pursue Track 2 you can work on your existing idea that fits into the value chain across one of these technology areas.
We ask all candidates to submit the 150 word essays to showcase your interest and understanding of the sector. If you go through the challenge website itself, you will have enough information to submit a well rounded response.
Yes, it is mandatory to team up from Phase 2 onwards. We will have a number of webinar sessions and 1:1 advisory with industry experts and we find that it is helpful to split time across the team to attend these sessions, while also prioritising the development of your challenge proposal. In addition, being a sole entrepreneur in the space in India is difficult and we want to set you up for success. Exact recommendations on the number of team members will be provided after the final count of eligible participants.
As part of the Phase 1: Smart Protein Digital Lab, you will go through 40 hours of business and scitech content across all 3 technology areas (plant-based, cultivated and fermentation). You will be quizzed twice a week for 4 weeks. Participants scoring 60%+ will qualify for Phase 2.
You can finalise the Track you wish to choose in Phase 2. Your response while registering is not final. You will be able to decide your Track and Technology Area during the Matchmaking week after successful completion of Phase 1 (60%+).
Following successful completion of Phase 1(60%+) we will share details about the challenge statements (Track 1) and themes across the value-chain (Track 2).
Results of the final list of candidates who are eligible to participate in Phase 1 ISPIC 2021 (which starts on 17th September) will be given latest by 16th September, 2021 (11.59 PM IST). Stay Tuned!
We do not have a mandatory requirement for prototyping in Track 1. For those in Track 2, you will need to access your own resources for prototyping - the reason why this is catered more towards existing startups/ companies.
If you are looking to participate in Track 2, you will need to access infrastructure through your own networks (university, labs, etc) and/ or by making use of existing resources you have at your disposal. We will be unable to provide physical infrastructure support during the challenge. However, you will also have access to our bioincubator partners for support. At the end of the challenge, if you are successful at the demo day, our incubator partners will be able to offer you a place within their existing facilities at subsidised rates. Your prize money can also be invested towards the same.
If you are a startup with an idea in the smart protein sector we encourage your team to apply for the challenge and participate in Track 2. Do note that all members of your startup who wish to represent the startup at ISPIC need to register individually and successfully complete Phase 1. Throughout the challenge we will provide you with curated foundational information and resources on the smart protein sector, access to business/scitech mentors, industry experts and GFI’s advisory network to support your team to succeed in the sector.
