A cloud-based social decision-making platform, a potentially revolutionary multimedia device and a gesture-based touch-less interface for Windows have emerged winners of the regional round of Microsoft BizSpark Challenge 2013.
What is common to all three is that they are innovations by young entrepreneurs being nurtured by India’s first telecom technology incubator, Startup Village.
The winner of the competition DecideQuick has produced a novel tool to help people make smart and informed decisions.
According to its developers, it is the first ever platform to use social data analytics and co-own private social data to help people choose products and services.
The programme gives recommendations to the user based on real-time analysis of the opinions of friends, influencers and the public on social networks, saving them the hassle of trawling through tonnes of data online.
QEdge , the first runner-up, is the only campus startup to make its way into the regional rounds of the BizSpark Challenge.
Their flagship product is the QPlay hardware device which is capable of turning a normal television set into a smart TV. By allowing home users to stream media files in any format from any mobile and PC wirelessly, QPlay can potentially redefine media viewing experience in the home living room.
RHLvision Interactive LLP, the second runner up is again a nascent establishment at Startup Village that has developed a touch-less interface for Windows smart phones that enable users to change songs or play games using gesture control.
Besides the gesture-based UI for smart phones and websites, RHLvision has also developed IntAds, display ads capable of interacting with users and providing them virtual trial options; and large-screen touchless displays for use by doctors in hospitals.
The winner and the two runners-up at the Challenge receive a purse of $ 4,000, $ 2,000 and $ 1,000 respectively.
They also claim an exciting array of non-cash prizes including Windows Phones and a BizSpark Plus membership, besides exclusive connects with venture capitalists, technical assistance and support for online promotion campaigns aimed at helping them expand their businesses.
The fact that Microsoft has brought its BizSpark Challenge to Kochi for the first time shows just how big an impact Startup Village has had on entrepreneurship in Kerala, Sijo Kuruvila George, CEO, Startup Village said.
Microsoft’s BizSpark programme supports software startups by giving them access to valuable technology-based benefits, he said.