Amazon India has officially launched the Smbhav Hackathon 2024, aimed at empowering small and medium businesses (SMBs) through innovative AI-driven solutions.
The competition invites participants from across India to submit their ideas that could transform the e-commerce landscape, providing a significant opportunity for growth and digitization in the sector.
Participants in the hackathon stand to win cash prizes totaling ₹10 lakh and a chance to visit Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle.
The application process is open until November 14, 2024.
Objectives and Impact
The Smbhav Hackathon seeks to address challenges faced by SMBs, including optimizing social media for product visibility, enhancing multi-channel fulfillment processes, and developing sustainable e-commerce solutions.
This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), aiming to harness the country’s innovative spirit to propel the digital economy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of technology in supporting MSMEs, stating, “By bringing them the power of technology through initiatives like the Amazon Smbhav Hackathon, we aim to empower MSMEs with digital tools and e-commerce solutions.”
Collaboration and Mentorship
Amazon has partnered with Startup India, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), and the NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC) to ensure a comprehensive support system for participants.
The hackathon is open to all Indian citizens aged 18 and above, including students, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the e-commerce ecosystem.
Participants will undergo a multi-phase process, starting from idea submissions to prototype development, with expert mentoring provided throughout the journey.
The top three teams will present their solutions during a Virtual Demo Day on December 5-6, 2024, with winners announced at the Amazon Smbhav 2024 Summit on December 10, 2024.
Key Dates for Participants
- Application Deadline: November 14, 2024
- Announcement of Shortlisted Ideas: November 18, 2024
- Prototype Submission Deadline: November 24, 2024
- Virtual Demo Day: December 5-6, 2024
- Winners Announcement: December 10, 2024
For more details and to register for the hackathon, visit Amazon Smbhav Hackathon 2024.
This initiative represents a significant step in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across India’s vibrant digital economy.
