Blockchain
Prosus SICA reveals India’s most innovative assistive tech startups in 2021
India’s most innovative startups developing assistive technology (AT) to aid persons with disabilities have been revealed as Trestle Labs (Bangalore), SignAble Communication (Bangalore) and Lifespark Technologies (Mumbai). The announcement was made today by Prosus at the conclusion of year two of the Prosus SICA initiative in partnership with Invest India, Social Alpha and the World Health Organization.
Revealed on the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the top startups represent diverse themes supporting visual, speech and language disabilities and neurodegenerative disease. Trestle, SignAble and Lifespark will receive grants of INR 25,00,000, INR 18,00,000 and INR 12,00,000 respectively. The grants are intended to help them scale and expand their businesses so more persons with disabilities can benefit and lead independent, empowered lives.
The top three startups will also be inducted into the Prosus SICA mentorship programme, along with TinkerTech Laboratories from New Delhi (hearing impairment solution) and Visioapps Technology from Gurgaon (visual impairment solution), which were placed in fourth and fifth position respectively. This provides each company with access to a global network of strategic advisors from Prosus, technical advisors from WHO, AT sector experts from Social Alpha, and knowledge and partnerships specialists from Startup India, Invest India. Additionally, eligible startups may get follow-on funding and an opportunity to incubate with Social Alpha.
Launched by Prosus in 2020 in partnership with Invest India, Social Alpha and World Health Organization, Prosus SICA identifies and awards the most innovative Indian startups working on assistive technology solutions. Prosus has committed $250,000 (INR 1,65,00,000) over three years to this challenge. With more than 70 million Indians estimated to live with some form of disability* the societal impact of improving lives and empowering people by supporting the development of India’s AT ecosystem can be immense.
The top start up, Trestle Labs, aims to support the visually impaired community to avail of inclusive education and employment through real-time content access. It has developed a solution – Kibo – that translates and digitises printed, audio, handwritten and digital content in 60 global languages (including 12 Indian languages). The Kibo app is already being used by 40,000+ users in 15 countries including India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.
Placed second, SignAble Communication addresses speech and language disability through a video remote interpretation (VRI) solution that provides live interpretation in Indian Sign Language (ISL) via a mobile app. Essentially, the solution provides live human interpreters-on-demand for anyone, anytime, anywhere, affordably, and at the touch of a button.
In third place, Lifespark Technologies is a healthcare technology company building a platform for continuous, optimal therapy in chronic neurodegenerative disorders starting with Parkinson’s disease (the fastest growing neurological disease). Their product comprises a wearable device and a linked digital platform. The device provides sensory cue-based therapy to improve gait, reduce falls and improve quality of life, while the app provides data to physicians and therapists as well as emergency alerts to caregivers.
Congratulating the winners and all applicants, Sehraj Singh, India Managing Director, Prosus, said: “The quality of applicants this year was exceptional and is a testament to the promising AT ecosystem emerging in India. We are pleased that SICA is helping to identify and support the best startups and entrepreneurs in this sector. We look forward to supporting their journey as they progress to make a positive and transformational impact in society.”
Deepak Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India, said: “I congratulate all winners of SICA 2021 and look forward to our continued association. The role of startups in developing assistive technologies for persons with disabilities will ensure a truly Digital and Inclusive India. We are delighted that the challenge showcases made-in-India innovations to solve global problems.”
Manoj Kumar, Founder, Social Alpha, said: “Addressing market gaps in the assistive technologies space has been the cornerstone of our venture development model at Social Alpha. SICA is playing a key role in identifying and supporting social innovators and helping them create new markets by addressing the demand for high quality yet affordable solutions.”
Dr Chapal Khasnabis, Head, Access to Assistive Technology and Medical Devices, WHO, Geneva said: “The quality of talent and the problems being tackled by participants in SICA 2021 was truly exciting and revelatory. It is heartening to witness Indian researchers and entrepreneurs are focusing on AI and Robotics in AT, especially for geriatric population and people living with neurodegenerative diseases. We congratulate the winners and look forward to supporting them in their journey.”
Bonny Dave, Founder of Trestle Labs, the startup that placed first in SICA 2021, spoke about their experience: “SICA has been a unique and enriching experience for us with a rigorous evaluation process including presentations and direct feedback from the end users and beneficiaries. We are thrilled to make the top spot and receive recognition for our efforts. We plan to utilise the grant to enhance our tech capabilities, grow our team and scale our solutions across three states in India. We are also eagerly looking forward to leverage the expertise and experience of stakeholders in SICA partner organisations through the mentorship programme.”
In the second year of SICA, over 170 startups that had built a prototype and completed user testing were evaluated by an expert jury on criteria of product readiness, market need, financial sustainability, business scalability, and future roadmap. Special attention was paid to user-friendliness of the products outside of controlled therapy and rehabilitation sessions.
For details of the winners of SICA 2020 (year one of the challenge) see here.
According to a report from Crypto Daily, the founder of Cardano, Charles Hoskinson, expressed a sentiment that the cryptocurrency industry does not aim to “set the world on fire.” This statement reflects a broader perspective on the role of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in the global economy and society.
Hoskinson’s remark suggests that the cryptocurrency industry is not solely focused on disruptive or revolutionary change but rather on providing innovative solutions to existing challenges and improving upon traditional systems. This viewpoint underscores the belief that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology can coexist and collaborate with established financial and technological infrastructures, rather than seeking to replace them entirely.
By emphasizing a collaborative approach, Hoskinson highlights the potential for cryptocurrencies like Cardano to complement existing financial systems and contribute to positive developments in various sectors. This includes areas such as finance, governance, healthcare, and supply chain management, where blockchain technology can offer enhanced security, transparency, and efficiency.
Overall, Hoskinson’s statement reflects a pragmatic and inclusive perspective on the role of cryptocurrency in society, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and collaboration in driving meaningful progress and innovation. As the cryptocurrency industry continues to evolve, this mindset is likely to shape its trajectory and impact on the broader economy and society.
Source: cryptodaily.co.uk
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Blockchain
Pantera Capital Targets $1 Billion for New ‘All-in-One’ Blockchain Fund Set for 2025 Launch
Pantera Capital aims to raise $1 billion for its new all-in-one blockchain fund, slated for launch in 2025, as reported by Bitcoin.com. This ambitious fundraising goal underscores Pantera’s confidence in the potential of blockchain technology and its commitment to supporting innovative projects in the space.
The new blockchain fund from Pantera Capital is designed to be a comprehensive investment vehicle, providing exposure to a wide range of blockchain-related assets and opportunities. By offering a diversified portfolio of investments, the fund aims to capitalize on the growth and development of the blockchain ecosystem while managing risk effectively.
Pantera Capital’s decision to launch a new blockchain fund reflects its bullish outlook on the long-term prospects of the blockchain industry. With increasing mainstream adoption and institutional interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, Pantera sees significant opportunities for growth and value creation in the coming years.
The $1 billion fundraising target for the new blockchain fund is indicative of Pantera’s confidence in its ability to attract capital from investors seeking exposure to the burgeoning blockchain market. As one of the leading blockchain-focused investment firms, Pantera Capital is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for blockchain-related investment opportunities.
Overall, the launch of Pantera Capital’s new all-in-one blockchain fund represents a significant development in the blockchain investment landscape, offering investors a comprehensive vehicle for gaining exposure to the rapidly evolving blockchain industry. As the fund prepares for its launch in 2025, it is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of blockchain investment and innovation.
Source: news.bitcoin.com
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Exverse, a free-to-play game bringing a fresh take on AAA first-person-shooters to Web3, announces the launch of its native $EXVG token on ByBit, a top-three crypto exchange by volume with over 20 million users. The ByBit launch will be followed by spot listings on the MEXC and Gate exchanges. Ahead of its full alpha launch in mid-May, Exverse hosted a soft-launch tournament for 5,000 early registrees on April 15 with cash rewards for top performers.
During the last bull run, Web3 games rose to prominence under the play-to-earn mechanism that made games like “Axie Infinity” so popular. As this model became widely replicated, many of these blockchain-based games prioritized the crypto elements at the expense of the actual game aspects. This trend could be seen in practice by many titles opting to undergo a token launch before even having a working demo, disincentivizing developers to build a quality game, and leaving users with no ecosystem or functioning game to play and spend or the native currency in.
With Exverse approaching its full launch, players can earn $EXVG by performing well while using the native token to enter matches, purchase premium items, and more. The $EXVG token builds on Exverse’s extensive beta and serves as the ecosystem’s currency while the game’s community witnessed a 20 percent growth in verified signups within a month. Supporting Exverse in their token launch are prominent launchpads and incubators that include Seedify, ChainGPT, and GameFi.
To build momentum for its upcoming alpha launch in mid-May, Exverse showcased its game by holding an exclusive deathmatch-style tournament for 5,000 early wait listers on April 15. The five-day tournament, which took place on the game’s ‘Battle Planet,’ gives players a chance to demonstrate their skills and win rewards via stablecoins and tokens. With $50,000 in total up for grabs, the top 100 performers earned at least $200. Top five finishers earnings were dispersed accordingly:
1st place: $4,000
2nd place: $2,000
3rd place: $1,500
4th and 5th place: $1,000
Built using Epic’s Unreal Engine 5, Exverse utilizes blockchain technology to strike a balance between enjoyable, realistic, and immersive real-time gameplay. The game prioritizes skill over pay-2-win mechanics, enabling players to earn rewards by staking tokens before a season’s kickoff. Top performers receive a share of profits from in-game NFTs such as cosmetics and skins.
To support the ecosystem’s development, expansion, and growth while rewarding the team and its early supporters, 400 million $EXVG will be minted.
“We are extremely excited about our token launch and proud to work with a great partner like ByBit to make it happen,” says Fei Ooi Hoong, CEO of Exverse. “We worked tirelessly to develop a diverse, engaging, and intuitive first-person shooter capable of revolutionizing how the public views blockchain-based gaming. Our talented team tapped into its background in traditional gaming to develop a rich and immersive gaming experience and then strategically implemented the NFT elements and in-game economics to enhance the user experience.”
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