The 7th edition of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge 2018-19 (TSEC), a joint initiative of the Tata group and Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC), announced Mocxa Health from Karnataka as the winner at the grand finale held on January 12, 2018, at the IIM Calcutta campus. EzeRx HealthTech from West Bengal was announced as the first runner -up and GiftAbled Innoventures from Karnataka was announced as the second runner -up. These top three most promising social ventures have won prize money of Rs 2.50 lakh , Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh , respectively.

Suresh Menon, vice president and general manager, eastern region, TCS, presenting the award to Mocxa Health at the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge 2018-19
Mocxa is a healthcare-based startup that has developed a seizure diagnosis video-EEG (encephalography) solution, including a kit and an app, that is more accurate, automated, affordable and accessible for seizure sufferers worldwide.

EzeRx is also a healthcare startup that has developed a non-invasive, non-contact, robust portable hand-held device for accurate measurement of bilirubin level, hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation. The proposed devic e collects the spectroscopic signal of the blood from the human conjunctiva.

GiftAbled is a microfinance-based startup. It has created a winning template by partnering with more than 40 NGOs, artisans with disability and disadvantaged artisans from across the country. GiftAbled also trains them on design, connects them with corporates and encourages inclusive procurement practices.

Apart from the top three winning ventures, the seven ventures that have made it to the top 10 finalists are Canostix, Hexpressions, Aegipan, Lal10, Janitri, Incredible Devices and Shuddham. These social enterprises offer a range of solutions in various areas which include cancer diagnostics through a simple blood test to wearable devices for monitoring fetal health in rural areas, to a catheter reprocessing system, among others.

TSEC endeavours to find India’s most promising early-stage social enterprises and create an ecosystem for social entrepreneurship — encouraging sustainable, scalable and measurable social impact. The 2018-19 edition received over 900 applications from across India, of which more than 450 were social impact proposals. These proposals covered different areas such as agriculture , healthcare , water and sanitation , technology and development , education and skills development , housing , handicrafts , energy , and microfinance, among others. Out of 900 applications, the top 60 were shortlisted. This was followed by regional rounds at Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai in December 2018, where these 60 start- ups pitched before the jury and the top 20 teams were selected. Further, the German Indian Startup Exchange Program jointly partnered with TSEC this year, which led to two entrepreneurial teams from Germany joining the semi finals. All the ventures were judged on five parameters — social impact, innovation, business model, revenue and sustainability, and leadership and team.

The jury included experts from Ankur Capital, Tata Trusts, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Tata Steel, Menterra Advisors and the IC2 Institute of University of Texas, USA.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, said, “Over the years, Tata Social Enterprise Challenge has encouraged the development of a social enterprise community by nurturing an ecosystem in which entrepreneurs with a vision find a platform that helps them to create a positive sustainable social impact. It is a gratifying feeling to see young entrepreneurs who have big ideas channel their passion and take the first step in transforming these ideas into reality. Promising entrepreneurs have to make an impact in the society.”

Suresh Menon, vice president and general manager, eastern region, TCS, felicitated the winners and said, “In its seventh year, Tata Social Enterprise Challenge allows early stage social entrepreneurs to transform into champions of social change, guided by mentors from academia and industry. Valuable insights during the process allow the participants to learn about key elements necessary to take a social enterprise to the next stage as they work to turn their ideas into reality. All participants, and not just the winners, will go home richer with inputs gleaned from their interactions with experienced mentors and be ready to face future challenges with actionable ideas.”