New Delhi, Oct 27, 2024: The second edition of the City Champions Summit hosted by Josh Talks and supported by Omidyar Network India celebrated 16 innovative startups for their groundbreaking work in transforming India’s urban landscapes.
Held at The Claridges on Saturday, the event convened the leaders in urban development underscoring the future of sustainable, inclusive cities.
This summit culminates a three-month accelerator program which was designed by Josh Talks in partnership with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park to nurture 16 impact startups working across sectors such as climate action, transport, city planning, energy and more. These startups were handpicked through a rigorous evaluation process from over 350 applicants.
The City Champions program began in April this year by inviting applications across 8 thematic sectors. Josh Talks had also planted 400 trees for each application received, signifying commitment to sustainability in cities.The accelerator program kicked-off in late July and included exposure to 16 startups through virtual sessions with industry leaders, 1:1 mentorship from IIM-C experts, access to funders and potential business partners through physical boot camps held across Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi.
The summit provided a platform to foster discussions on building better cities for a Viksit Bharat and funding the future of urban development in India. In her welcome address, Supriya Paul, CEO & Co-founder of Josh Talks said, “Since the time we launched City Champions in 2023, we have reached over 17 million people across India. In our second edition, we’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact these startups are having in our cities. It’s important we portray them as role models and celebrate their stories that bring all of us closer to building a future where every urban space thrives.”
Echoing this sentiment, Shilpa Kumar, Partner at Omidyar Network India, said, “It’s been inspiring to see the incredible work of the 16 startups who are part of the City Champions program. The innovators are truly the heart of urban development efforts and it is critical we support them in bringing to market and / or scale. That has been our focus through this partnership and we need more such initiatives that empower and celebrate these champions, as they hold the key to making our cities more livable and inclusive for everyone.”
This year’s panels brought together prominent leaders in urban development, such as Rajiv Ranjan Mishra - Former Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga; UG Sujatha, VP - Global Partnerships and Net Zero, Invest India; Ruchira Shukla, Managing Partner & Co-founder, Synapses VC; Gagan Sidhu, Director - CEEW amongst others.
As a testament to the profound potential of these startups, Omidyar Network India also extended a Rs 25 lakh grant to one standout organisation in the cohort, further empowering it to scale its efforts. The winner of this grant was Geo Climate Risk Solutions (GCRS).
The summit closed with a resounding commitment to continued collaboration and innovation, setting the stage for more groundbreaking solutions that will shape India's cities in the years to come.
