Kochi: A group of youngsters from Amal Jyoti College of Engineering, Kanjirappally, has emerged winner in the Manoramaonline-Big Business Idea contest with an innovative concept which addresses one of the major challenges of the present times.
Team Dimensionless, headed by Dan Jose, won the contest with their idea of 'Conversion of plastic waste to transport grade fuel components.' The team won the award which comprises a purse of Rs 1 lakh, trophy and certificate.
Team Explorers won the second prize for their idea of an 'Online portal for child adoption' while the third prize went to Team Clear Titles who presented the concept of 'providing a mortgage loan as fast as a gold loan'. They won Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. The winners were presented with the awards at a function here on Wednesday.
V.J. Kurien, MD, Cochin International Airport Ltd, delivered the keynote address. Kurien said that unlike in the past, business ideas get a lot of support from the government as well society these days. “Scientific inventions should be in tune with the needs of the nation and society,” he said.
Kochouseph Chittilappilly, founding chairman, V-Guard; and Prof Abraham Koshy of IIM Ahmedabad who headed the jury, also addressed the gathering.
Kurien, Chittilappilly and Koshy gave away the prizes to the winners. John Thomas, senior general manager, South Indian Bank, handed over the cash prize to the winners.
Teams Bid a Ride, Boats, COSC, Green Kerala, Jipnest and Maxwell won special mention by the jury.
James Joseph, founder of Jackfruit 365 and former engagement director of Microsoft; Sijo Kuruvila, founding CEO of Startup Village; Sanjay Vijayakumar, chairman, Startup Village Collective; and Shihab Muhammed, founder and CEO of Survey Sparrow took part in a panel discussion held as part of the event.
Bobby Paul, general manager (marketing) Manorama Online, delivered the welcome address. Mariam Mammen Mathew, CEO, Manorama Online handed over mementos to the chief guests.