New York, United States

01 October 2019

The LoI between NITI Aayog and United Nations Development Programme aims to facilitate and develop the landscape and culture of youth entrepreneurship in the country and support the next generation with the right toolkits for Future of Work.

Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge

A series of innovation challenges was held in four cities: Bengaluru (Jyothy Foundation), Mumbai (AIC–Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini Foundation), Indore (AIC–Prestige Inspire Foundation), and Varanasi (AIC–Mahamana Foundation For Innovation and Entrepreneurship). Fifteen winning teams were shortlisted from among sixty. These teams contested in the National Innovation Challenge held in Delhi.

Fifteen other teams were selected via the nomination method from the pool of Atal Incubation Centre start-ups. Thereafter, UNDP and AIM hosted a three-day Youth Co: Lab National Innovation Challenge from 17–19 January 2020 in Delhi. As many as 30 teams participated in this challenge.

The top two teams will be fully funded, while the next two will be partially funded for the final summit. The four teams will also participate in the Regional Springboard Programme. Further, the top eight teams will be incubated at the Atal Incubation Centres and receive support from UNDP to enhance their impact management for a year.

The programme intends to enable young students to participate in the ideation of innovative solutions to global challenges.

• LoI signed on 1 October 2019
• Youth Co: Lab National Innovation Challenge held from 17–19 January 2020