Somaiya Vidyavihar gears up for its annual Innovation event- Maker Mela 2020

Asia's biggest maker gathering from craft to dancing robots at Somaiya Vidyavihar

Press Release for immediate dissemination

8^th Jan 2020 Mumbai: Somaiya Vidyavihar announces the fifth edition of Maker Mela, an initiative organised by Somaiya Riidl (Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory), to accelerate the Maker Movement in India and to create a community of Makers.

The fifth edition of Maker Mela, promises to be bigger and better, with Makers from across the country showcasing a wide spectrum of innovations.  A celebration of Arts, Crafts, Engineering, Science & the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset, Maker Mela is a platform for like-minded folks who bring to life a diverse range of raw, unique and unconventional ideas.

With innovations in Information Technology, Mechanics, Agriculture, Food, to Arts and Crafts, the premier event for grass-root innovations in India is a mela of ideas and innovators, creative minds and thought leaders.

100 Makers showcasing exciting innovations include a robot that makes food to urban agriculture. The diversity of innovations is matched with the diversity of age - the youngest Maker is 9-year-old Veer Bavishi, while the senior-most Maker is 75 years Vaishali Yashwant Chitale.

Veer Bavishi at the age of nine, has created not one, but two projects for preventing accidents on the roads. ‘Suraksha’ – 2, is an Intelligent Automated Vehicle system for road safety that uses Arduino. The second project, Live Accident Detection and Messaging System uses GSM & GPS as a warning system for heavy vehicles. Vaishali Yashwant Chitale will be showcasing the beauty in the reuse of plastic with flowers made from used polythene bags.

Besides the Maker Expo, Maker Mela also includes an Influencer’s Gathering, a Bio Fashion Show and a Changer Makers’ Conclave focusing on Women Innovators.

Samir Somaiya, President, Somaiya Vidyavihar says “The bright spark of innovation was always there, what we provided was a platform. In five years, this has become a movement. The diversity of thoughts, the singularity of focus and the passion for doing something different is what brings the Makers together. When we see participants from across India and the globe share ideas that is when Maker Mela becomes a celebration.”

Gaurang Shetty, Chief innovation Catalyst, RIIDL says “The five years have been a journey of learning, sharing and innovating. This Movement of Makers is coming into its own. Yet, we have just begun.”

How will a Maker benefit from Maker Mela?

International platform to display projects to entrepreneurs from different industries,

Makers will have a chance to pitch their ideas for INR 30 Lakhs seed funding through BIRAC Seed Fund,

Makers will have an opportunity to apply for NIDHI Prayas Grant support through riidl,

Shortlisted Makers will pitch their ideas during Pitching Session to get prizes worth INR 1 Lakh,

Discount in the membership fees for accessing the FABLAB and BIOLAB materials / machines,

Possible funding for building prototypes,

Six months of mentoring from Global leaders and Incubation Support,

24 * 7 access to space for developing their product,

Opportunity to sell the products live through paying a nominal fee during the event,

Amazon, IBM cloud credits worth $1000 per month for a specific time,

Getting connected to the awesome community of makers across 300+ fabrication labs across the globe. (https://www.fablabs.io/riidl - riidl is a fabrication laboratory affiliated with MIT's centre for Bits and Atoms, USA).