Five inspiring changemakers were honored for their innovative contributions toward addressing Bengaluru’s pressing urban challenges by WTFund. Their sustainable solutions tackle critical issues such as waste management, mobility, and community empowerment in Namma Bengaluru Challenge.
Bengaluru, December 16, 2024: UnboxingBLR Foundation, in collaboration with Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund, has unveiled the five winners of the Namma Bengaluru Challenge 2024. Each winner has been awarded a grant of ₹10 lakh to implement their visionary projects aimed at addressing Bengaluru’s pressing urban issues. These grants will empower changemakers to create impactful, sustainable solutions for the city’s transformation.
The announcement was made during the Futures Conference at the Bangalore International Centre, an event hosted as part of the BLR Hubba annual city festival.
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Launched in November 2024, the Namma Bengaluru Challenge received an overwhelming response with over 600 registrations. Following a meticulous selection process, 16 standout ideas were shortlisted, further narrowed down to eight exceptional teams. Finally, five teams were chosen based on their innovative concepts and potential to drive meaningful change in Bengaluru.
Winners of the Namma Bengaluru Challenge 2024
- Clean Water (Sustainable Water Technologies Pvt. Ltd.): This project addresses the severe pollution plaguing Bengaluru’s water bodies due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, and encroachments. The team’s nature-based solutions aim to restore water quality to near-drinking standards and rejuvenate these vital ecosystems.
- Mahila Shakti Electric Auto Driving Training Program (Namma Foundation): Focused on bridging gaps in last-mile connectivity, this initiative trains underserved women to operate electric autos, empowering them to enter male-dominated sectors and providing the city with a safe, inclusive transport solution.
- Nagara Meter Auto (BrandPride Mobility Pvt. Ltd.): This citizen-driven initiative offers transparent, government-approved meter-fare autorickshaw services in Bengaluru. It ensures fair and reliable transport while fostering trust between passengers and drivers.
- Anahat Foundation: Dedicated to improving access to primary and preventive healthcare for the urban poor, this initiative emphasizes the need for robust primary health delivery systems to make healthcare accessible to all citizens.
- Let’s Be the Change: This sustainability-focused waste management project aims to reduce landfill waste to less than 1% by holding citizens accountable for waste generation. Through regular audits and incentives, the initiative fosters collaboration between residents and the municipal corporation.
Driving Bengaluru’s Transformation
The Namma Bengaluru Challenge highlights the shared mission of UnboxingBLR and WTFund to support community-centric projects that drive sustainability and innovation in the city. The winners were selected not just for their visionary ideas but also for their demonstrated commitment to bringing these ideas to life.
Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner of Accel India and Chairman of UnboxingBLR, expressed his gratitude to all participants, saying, “This city has always been a beacon of innovation, and the overwhelming response to the Namma Bengaluru Challenge reaffirms that spirit. The winners have showcased not only ingenuity but also a deep commitment to making Bengaluru more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking. We are honored to be part of their journey.”
Investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Bengaluru has given me so much over the years, and this is my way of supporting those who are now standing where I was two decades ago. The Challenge is about bringing together people who care deeply about this city. A big thank you to everyone who participated. I’m genuinely excited to see how these ideas evolve and make a difference in the years to come.”
About UnboxingBLR Foundation
UnboxingBLR Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to documenting and celebrating Bengaluru’s journey as a global tech hub and cultural melting pot. The foundation spearheads initiatives like the annual city festival BLR Hubba, Hubba in Your Park (HYP), and Hubba in Your Streets. It also works on projects such as “Unboxing Bengaluru” (a contemporary history of the city), “Bengaluru Rising” (a data report on the city’s growth), and “From Code to Culture” (a podcast). Future plans include a docu-series and a museum focusing on innovation, startups, and technology.
About WTFund
WTFund is India’s first non-dilutive grant fund designed to support young entrepreneurs by providing early-stage, sector-agnostic grants. Led by Nikhil Kamath, WTFund empowers startups addressing real-world problems in areas such as health tech, energy transition, space tech, and AI. Through funding, mentorship, and a founder-centric community, WTFund bridges critical gaps in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering startups that contribute to economic growth and social impact.
