In partnership with nasscom ai, Uber has announced the 'Uber Sustainovate' startup challenge. Uber has opened entries for the challenge. Through the challenge, they are looking for innovative solutions to fast-track the adoption of sustainable mobility in India. The competition, in partnership with Startup India and nasscom ai, is designed to award startups that produce the best workable ideas to help accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in the country. 

The winning startup would be awarded a grant of $120,000 (approximately Rs 1 crore), and the top 3 entries would be awarded mentorship sessions with our tech leadership in India to help them sharpen their skills and competencies. 

Uber and Nasscom will evaluate the applications received to participate in 'Uber Sustainovate'. After the evaluation, the shortlisted startups will be emailed about their qualification and the following stages, including jury rounds. 

Themes for Challenge

The theme for the challenge is "Sustainable Mobility solution for India". The transition to electric mobility needs the ecosystem to be financially viable for drivers and fleet owners. We're looking for tech-first solutions to incentivize EV ownership among drivers and fleet owners to help them make the switch to greener vehicles, including but not limited to innovative financing models. Making the economics more viable for drivers/commercial fleet owners is a key problem statement of the challenge.

As policies and equipment change - like the introduction of EVs, we are looking at tech-powered solutions to help improve asset utilization. Be it getting more people into fewer vehicles to create credible alternatives to private car ownership or better fleet management tech, making improved asset utilization the second problem statement.

Smart infrastructure and changing solutions is the third problem statement. One of the roadblocks to the mass adoption of electric mobility is the unavailability of supporting infrastructure in towns and cities for charging batteries of EVs or swapping them out. We're looking for tech-based solutions to help improve the EV charging infrastructure in the country.

The final problem statement is the easy discovery of charging infra-better interoperability. Ideas to better utilize sustainable mobility assets, including but not limited to vehicles and charging infrastructure, utilizing improving discovery and augmenting interoperability. Practical usage of data analytics & predictive maintenance to reduce downtime increase efficiency & vehicle lifespan.

Other details

The participants should be DPIIT-recognised startups located anywhere in India. Interested startups are invited to submit their solution corresponding to the use case by filling in the application form. Startups will be selected for the following rounds based on their idea note, and the shortlisted ones will be able to present their Proof of Concept or ready solution or working prototype. The submissions will be evaluated across multiple stages based on overarching ideas, proof of concept, working prototypes, and overall alignment with Uber's sustainability mission and values. 

The startup challenge is open for entries up to 18 October 2023. Registration will be followed by numerous rounds of shortlisting based on overarching ideas, proof of concept, working prototypes, and overall alignment with our sustainability mission and values. The winner will be announced in January 2024 after a final jury round. 

Click here to submit the application.