Last week we were excited to participate in the Hello Tomorrow Summit held in Paris on 26-27 Oct 2017 as one of the finalists, both to meet new deep-tech entrepreneurs from around the world and also get a sense of how we might be able to bring Saathi to Europe. It is always inspirational to see the latest innovations and ways people are making an impact

Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge is a unique summit where the brightest entrepreneurs and change-makers gather under one roof. This year, the Global Startup Challenge received 3,000 applications from deep-tech startups from over 100 countries, which were reviewed by experts in the fields of science and industry and narrowed down to the Top 500 startups. 75 of them were selected as finalists for each of the 10 industry tracks to pitch their ideas for change to an expert panel of scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and industry representatives. There were also side pitch events for different special topics.

It was a great event and there was tough competition especially for the finale. Hello Tomorrow has a strong focus on sustainability which is important for the future. We are extremely honored to have won not only our Wellbeing Track for €15,000 sponsored by L’Oreal, but also the €5,000 Social Impact Award sponsored by Sycomore Asset Management and ultimately the Grand Prize of  €100,000 sponsored by BNP Paribas, thereby sweeping all categories of the event.

For Hello Tomorrow, each startup is asked to pick a song to enter the stage with and we chose Ziddi Dil from the Mary Kom movie. It was a perfect fit. We have gone through a lot of challenges this year but our perseverance paid off. 

"Manmaani Ke, Oye Oye Oye, Shehar Jaake, Oye Oye Oye
Shaitaani Laata Hai, Sar Pe Ye Bandh Ke
Chhedkhaani Ko, Oye Oye Oye, Ye Samjha Ke, Oye Oye Oye
Nazron Pe Chupke Se, Laata Hai Pehn Ke
Rehta Sabse Takraate, Yea Yea Yeah
Apni Hi Dhun Mein Gaate, Yea Yea Yeah
Wo… Dekhe Hai Aankhon Mein
Kismat Ki Aankhein Daale
Hawaa Ke Kaanon Mein Jaake Kahe, Kismat Piddi Hai
Dil Ye Ziddi Hai" 

At the event, we were excited to learn about the solar ferry in Kerala, seaweed based skin care in Iceland, and ergonomic airplane seats from Singapore. Congrats to all the other Track winners:

• Ampaire win the Aerospace track, powered by Airbus
• Mycroft.ai win the Data & AI track, powered by Renault & RCI Bank and Services
• Dracula Technologies win the Energy Transition track, powered by Air Liquide
• Skytree win the Environment track
• String Bio win the Food & Agriculture track, powered by Carrefour Group
• Path Feel win the Healthcare track
• Arculus win the Industry 4.0 track, powered by Airbus
• NEXT Future Transportation, Inc. win the Mobility track, powered by Group ADP & Michelin
• Sound Bounce wins the New Materials track, powered by Solvay.

“Our team and early supporters really gave us the encouragement to carry on with our idea and make it a reality. They are the backbone. Winning this award and making an impact wouldn’t have been possible without their amazing work and dedication. This gives the team a boost and we are excited to scale our impact with this support- Kristin and Tarun, Co-Founders Saathi.

We have previously won multiple awards recognizing our contribution to the Social and Environmental issues, including the Asia Social Innovation Award 2017, Circular Board Pitch for Purpose Winner 2017, SXSW Accelerator Pitch Finalist in Healthcare 2017, among others we appreciate the support from our early advocates from MIT D-Lab’s Scale-up Fellows program, Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, Asia Society’s Asia 21 program and our early customers.

Saathi vision is to continually grow and be recognized and respected as a top quality sustainable and ethical manufacturer across India and abroad. It is important that manufacturers take the lifecycle responsibility for the products they make. We are thrilled to do our part for a better tomorrow!

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A few other articles from the event:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/29/saathi-banana-sanitary-pads-hello-tomorrow/

https://medium.com/@Hello_Tomorrow/hello-tomorrow-announcing-the-2017-global-startup-challenge-winners-9138b057b9f9

https://group.bnpparibas/en/news/2017-tomorrow-global-challenge-winners