Over time, people have made a significant shift towards technology-based innovation.
The biggest change is the influx of applications from deep technology startups in this two-year plan, said Harsh Mariwala, founder of Marico Innovation Foundation. According to him, based on applications received this year, artificial intelligence could change the rules of the game in the coming years.
After reviewing 1,200 applications, the Foundation selected seven winners, which it believes will greatly affect the business and social sectors in India.
“We are trying different ways to create impact. Ultimately, the whole goal of creating impact, innovation has to make impact,” Marivala said in an interview. Mint A week before the awards ceremony, 2025 Indian Innovation Idol Winners were announced in his office.
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The Marico Innovation Foundation Award was initiated in 2003 by Mariwala, the founder and chairman of the fast mobile consumer goods (FMCG) business, Mariwala has made great progress over the past few years to recognize Indian innovators.
Mature companies such as Tata Motors and Indigo were the winners of early awards. Tata Motors has been recognized for its micro truck Tata Ace, while Interglobe Aviation has been respected for its effective aircraft cleaning process and innovative Z ladders, thus facilitating easy boarding and disembarking for passengers.
This year, winners in the business category included Misleading Technology, which advances wireless telecommunications services in rural and remote areas; Chara Technologies, which develops rare earth motor motor systems for electric vehicles (EVs) and industrial machinery; Indra Water utilizes a decentralized modular water treatment system to recycle sewage/industrial wastewater; Skyroot Aerospace, which provides satellite operators around the world with cost-effective on-demand access space.
In the social category, Assisttech Foundation, the foundation incubates innovative technology startups with disabilities; Rocket learning can enhance early childhood education for grassroots children, with the focus on improving the skills of Anganwadi workers; People’s Archives in Rural India (Pari) recorded stories about rural India through digital archives, known as winners.
“We are playing a catalytic role,” Marivala said in an interview. The foundation will act as a network for them to use their funds.
At Friday’s awards ceremony, the low-key Pharma Barons Dilip Shangvi, who included Sun Pharma Chairman and Cipla Chairman Yusuf Hamied, as well as Prabha Narasimhan, such as Colgate-Palmore Melmore Melmore Mehta’s senior director, es.
Growth Catalyst
Mary Valla said the winners will receive guidance and guidance from 30 CEOs, allowing them to scale up and get funding as they progress at various stages.
Startups benefit more from gaining advice on imagery, coaching, mentoring and expertise to expand on, he said. He said: “They will get the right strategies, the right advice, and we will connect them with possible funders.
Mariwala strongly advocated the legacy that businessmen should leave when they were close to 74 years old. He believes the foundation will last, similar to the company he founded Marico, which successfully established two well-known Indian brands: Parachute and Saffora.
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The Foundation firmly believes that at any startup, it will not take up fairness, but insists on providing coaching and coaching and acting as a network amplifier.
Mariwala gives an example of a startup that uses solar energy to freeze dried fruits and vegetables. Initially, the founders came up with the idea of building a brand until Mariwala pointed them to the Horeca (hotel, restaurant and cafe/café) industry. Building a brand at the beginning of a business is much more difficult. It is best to establish a B2B revenue base before starting brand building. To build a FMCG brand, it is best to have ₹10 million in revenue, although it may be smaller if you choose to target the brand only in urban areas.
“The amount of money needed to launch a brand is increased due to TV, news and mass media. You need to invest at least. ₹Marivala said: “Even if you don’t have sales, the launch itself has Rs 20 crore. ₹1 million.
The foundation has identified 15 startups that can be done through an accelerator.
One notable contestant of its accelerator is the high-speed recycling of plastic waste, Ishitva Robotics, which is currently being developed as a prototype. According to its website, Ishitva creates automatic sorting machines and can classify waste into various categories, including plastic waste through polymers, brands and colors, at a speed of 6 tons/hour. Its machines are deployed with major recyclers.
Individually, the Foundation is working to recycle waste.
“We have signed with the organization to conduct pilot projects in Hyderabad and Raipur to recycle household waste to ensure that the plastic that appears from recycling is of good quality and can be used,” he said.
If this proves successful, he said, the investment required nationwide will account for tens of millions of dollars with the assistance of company partners.
