AkzoNobel IndiaIndian startups HyperReality Technologies and Fluid AI have been named as winners of AkzoNobel initiative, Paint the Future, which oversees several global incubator programmes to accelerate innovation in the paint and coatings sector through collaboration.
The winning submissions answered a call from AkzoNobel for innovative ways to enhance the digital consumer experience for its Dulux brand in India, with Bengaluru-based startup HyperReality entering a collaborative metaverse visualisation platform it has developed, and Mumbai-headquartered Fluid AI presenting an AI platform which guides consumers during their painting journey.
Having already signed letters of intent to work together on sustainable business opportunities, the winners now join AkzoNobel’s accelerator programme.
“This startup challenge is about collaborating with equally passionate Indian startups to boost the magic of Dulux”
Oscar Wezenbeek, Chair of AkzoNobel India.
“Over the next six months, the goal is clear – to work together with our winners and develop a digital value proposition,” says Oscar Wezenbeek, managing director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints in South East and South Asia and Chair of AkzoNobel India. “The startups will have access to our global network of experts and resources leading up to ‘Demo Day’. That’s when they’ll showcase the results that will shape the future of their collaboration with AkzoNobel.”
“This startup challenge is about collaborating with equally passionate Indian startups to boost the magic of Dulux and paint the future of paint consumers’ digital experience,” says Rajiv Rajgopal, managing director of AkzoNobel India. “Innovation is key to AkzoNobel’s approach to sustainable business, and we see a lot of potential in these winning solutions.”
“From the depth of the expert sessions to the sheer amount of industry knowledge we’ve gained, this bootcamp has been a collaborative experience unlike any other,” says Sobin Thombra, CEO of HyperReality Technologies.
“We’re stoked about our win,” add the co-founders of Fluid AI, Abhinav Aggarwal and Raghav Aggarwal. “AkzoNobel’s astute understanding of our artificial intelligence solution is a gateway to bringing new consumer-centric disruptions in the paints sector.”
The India startup challenge is the third regional edition of Paint the Future. Run in partnership with The NASSCOM Industry Partnership Program (NIPP) – an India-wide initiative to foster sustained engagement between large corporations and innovative technology ventures which is being supported by several Fortune 500/Global 500 corporations, the challenge attracted 207 submissions from 33 cities from across the country.
Nine finalists were invited to an intense two-day bootcamp program, where customized sessions with AkzoNobel experts helped them further refine their solution’s value proposition before the final pitch to the Paint the Future jury.
Visit Paint the Future India startup challenge 2022.
Author
