Business
Cisco and Nasscom Foundation Honour Top 10 thingQbator Start-ups at Neovation 2025
New Delhi [India], April 24: Cisco, in partnership with Nasscom Foundation, felicitated ten winning student-led start-ups from the 7th cohort of its CSR initiative, thingQbator, at the Neovation 2025 event. Chosen from over 1,367 submissions through a rigorous shortlisting process, these promising teams have turned their innovative ideas into working prototypes and scalable ventures. The event also brought together a distinguished panel of corporates, thought leaders, academia, and industry experts to felicitate innovations aimed at addressing critical societal challenges in areas like healthcare, waste management, transportation, household IoT, and public infrastructure.
- An initiative designed to spark innovation and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students through relevant technologies
- The program, now in its 7th cohort, had a participation of 3734 young students, with the top 10 teams receiving INR 5 lakh each in seed funding at the felicitation event
Designed to empower young innovators, thingQbator provides a platform where college students across the country, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities are mentored to turn their ideas into prototypes and viable businesses. This virtual maker space program, held at various partner universities, offers students hands-on experience with digital technologies. It enables them to transform their ideas into working prototypes and devise localized solutions to community problems.
A total of 3,734 students participated in cohort 7 across India, showcasing a strong spirit of innovation. All 1,367 ideas progressed to the ideation stage, reflecting the creative depth across campuses. From these, 125 teams comprising 343 students advanced to the prototyping stage, receiving dedicated mentorship. With 1,233 mentoring hours delivered, students refined their ideas into impactful, tech-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges.
Harish Krishnan, Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India and SAARC, said, “India’s innovation landscape is at an inflexion point, driven by the convergence of technology and purpose. The future of social innovation here holds immense promise—and at Cisco, our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all is deeply aligned with this vision.. We take immense pride in supporting this transformation through initiatives like thingQbator, which provides students with the tools, mentorship, and platform to turn bold ideas into scalable solutions. Through programs like this, we aim to nurture ideas by empowering young innovators. I am very proud of the innovations showcased by the winning teams today and extremely excited at the prospect of their success as they step forward to solve real-world problems using technology and purpose.”
Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation, commented, “India is witnessing a remarkable surge in innovation, driven by the passion and creativity of the young minds. Through our continued partnership with Cisco, initiatives like thingQbator are not just nurturing ideas but shaping future entrepreneurs who are committed to building impactful solutions for real-world challenges. It is truly inspiring to see how student-led innovations are translating into scalable ventures, reinforcing the belief that with the right guidance and opportunities, our youth can lead the charge in shaping a better, more inclusive future.”
The top 10 teams with the best solutions felicitated at the Neovation 2025 include:
- Ad Aqua (Surendranath College, Kolkata): Aimed at making water accessible for all by integrating advertisements on packaging while addressing SDGs like Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12).
- Riverant (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetam, Coimbatore): Focused on cleaning polluted rivers using IoT-integrated robotics, aligning with SDGs like Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life Below Water (SDG 14).
- FindFake (Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology, Mumbai): Developed a deepfake detection platform to combat misinformation, supporting SDGs like Peace and Justice (SDG 16).
- Demcare (JNU, Delhi): Created a dementia-tracking device to improve healthcare outcomes, addressing Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3).
- IntelliFlow Vital Tracker (REVA University, Bangalore): Designed a real-time patient monitoring system to enhance healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings.
- Novel Air Quality Sensing (Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology, Mumbai): Developed an optical particle counting device using IoT-enabled CMOS camera microchips to measure particulate matter levels. The solution aligns with SDGs 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, offering a cost-effective way to monitor air pollution.
- Tranquil (VIT, Vellore): An AI-powered mental health support platform offering instant therapy and coping strategies to address mental health struggles. This project aligns with SDGs 3, 5, 8, 10, and 17.
- Water Your Plant from Anywhere (University of Lucknow): A smart irrigation system using IoT and cloud computing to enable remote watering of plants, contributing to SDGs 9, 11, 12, and 13.
- Where is My Bus (MLRIT, Hyderabad): A real-time bus tracking system designed for college transit networks in India, improving accessibility and efficiency using HTML, CSS, JS, and Leaflet technology.
- Plant Microbial Fuel Cell-KIT (Kalaignar Karunanidhi Institute of Technology, Coimbatore): A sustainable energy solution leveraging plant-microbe electrochemical interactions to provide decentralized, eco-friendly electricity. This project aligns with SDGs 7, 12, 13, and 15.
Through its inception in 2018, the Cisco thingQbator initiative has trained over 10262 students, aiming to shift their mindset to innovators. Over the years, with 5351 hours of mentoring, the program has led to the development of 409 prototypes, with 63 teams already registered or incubated at start-up accelerators. At its core, the initiative empowers students to craft innovative solutions for real-world challenges, fostering design thinking, community problem-solving, and essential go-to-market skills.
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Lifestyle
How Simran Kaur of Kaziranga University Turned Her Dreams into a PwC Offer
New Delhi [India], April 24: Every success story begins with a dream—but what truly defines that story is the journey: one filled with self-doubt, hard lessons, small victories, and the courage to keep going. Simran Kaur, a final-year CSE student from the School of Engineering and Technology at Kaziranga University, has recently secured a coveted placement at PwC, one of the world’s Big 4 firms. But her achievement isn’t just a tale of academic merit—it’s a narrative of growth, grit, and grabbing every opportunity that came her way.
From Small Beginnings to Big Dreams
Simran’s story begins not just in the classrooms of Kaziranga University but in a childhood filled with curiosity and creativity. Raised in a modest town, she was always drawn to the idea of working in a fast-paced corporate environment. “I used to dream of working in the skyscrapers of Bangalore,” she says. “There was something about the city’s energy, the tech buzz—it fascinated me.” That dream stayed with her as she navigated her academic path.
Why Kaziranga University?
When Simran chose Kaziranga University, she wasn’t just selecting a campus—she was choosing a place to grow. “I wanted an institution that was more than just books and exams. KU gave me that,” she shares. What attracted her most was the university’s vibrant ecosystem that encouraged students to explore, create, and lead.
From day one, Simran immersed herself in everything the university had to offer. Whether it was anchoring major events, participating in university clubs, or delivering power-packed dance performances, she never let an opportunity slip by. “Simran didn’t leave a single chance,” recalls one of her mentors. “She was the kind of student who raised her hand before you even finished explaining.”
Passion Beyond the Classroom
Simran’s passion wasn’t confined to academics. A natural performer, she found immense joy in dancing and acting. She became a regular face at cultural festivals and intercollege competitions, often choreographing group performances and leading her team to victories. “Performing on stage gave me confidence,” she says. “It taught me how to stay calm under pressure, which came in handy during interviews!”
Her creative side blended well with her analytical mind, and that balance made her stand out both in cultural forums and classroom discussions.
Facing Rejections—and Rising Stronger
Despite her achievements, Simran’s path wasn’t without hurdles. As the campus placement season kicked off, she found herself facing rejections. “It was tough seeing my friends get placed while I was still waiting,” she recalls. The pressure was intense. That’s when her father’s simple yet powerful words made a difference: “Sachin bhi kabhi zero par out hua tha.” That one line hit home.
Fueled by renewed determination, Simran bounced back. She doubled down on her preparation, leaned into the resources provided by Kaziranga University’s Career Development and Placement Cell (CDPC), and stayed focused.
The Power of Preparation
The CDPC at Kaziranga University played a crucial role in shaping her journey. Known for connecting students with top-tier companies and offering dedicated career support, the placement cell became her go-to resource. “Mock interviews, aptitude training, resume-building—CDPC prepared us thoroughly,” says Simran. “They even brought alumni to share real-life experiences, which helped us understand industry expectations.”
Her consistency and preparation paid off. She made it through multiple interviews and, finally, received offers from both PwC and EY. But PwC, with its global reputation and Bengaluru office, felt like the perfect match.
The Dream Comes True
The day she received her offer letter from PwC, Simran was overwhelmed. “It felt unreal,” she says. “I came to KU as a girl with dreams, but my journey here transformed me into a confident, capable lady.” Today, she lives and works in her dream city—Bangalore, where she always imagined herself growing, thriving, and contributing to the corporate world.
Her parents, naturally, are overjoyed. “They’ve seen my struggles and sacrifices,” Simran says with a smile. “This achievement is not just mine—it’s theirs too.”
A Message to Juniors
Now, as she prepares to step into her new professional role, Simran has one message for the students who are still walking their paths:
“Don’t let a few rejections define your worth,” she advises juniors. “Use them as stepping stones. Keep learning and stay humble.”
She also encourages students to get involved beyond the classroom. “Explore everything. Your passions—whether it’s dancing, public speaking, or coding—will shape who you become,” she adds.
Reflections from KU
Faculty and mentors who watched Simran grow are filled with pride. “She’s a perfect example of what holistic development looks like,” says a CDPC coordinator. “She was always willing to learn, to lead, and to rise above setbacks.”
At Kaziranga University, Simran’s journey stands as a testament to what’s possible when dreams meet discipline and opportunities meet action. She’s just one among many, but her story shines bright.
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