WHAT IS MODEL SPACE STARTUP CHALLENGE?

The Model Space Startup Challenge stands as a visionary initiative, meticulously crafted for students who harbor a profound passion for space science, technology, and their diverse applications. At its core, this program is more than a competition; it's a catalyst for cultivating innovative thinking and empowering the next generation of brilliant minds to spearhead impactful changes in society. Designed under the aegis of the UL Space Club, the initiative aims to nurture a vibrant community where students collaborate, share ideas, and collectively envision groundbreaking projects. This collaborative synergy holds the potential to drive transformative changes not only in the field of education but also in our daily lives.

Open to students ranging from Class 8 to Undergraduate levels, the Model Space Startup Challenge extends its reach specifically to the educational landscape of Kerala. The event unfolds across three distinct cities, each playing host to a different zone edition. Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, and Kannur will oversee the South Zone, Middle Zone, and North Zone editions respectively. The program doesn't merely stop at providing a platform for innovation; it goes beyond by offering exciting incentives to participants. Engaging offers include coveted prizes, invaluable mentorship opportunities, and exclusive UL Space Club Memberships. With an expected participation of over 1000 students, showcasing more than 30 startup ideas, and offering exciting prizes and oriceless opportunities for the students, the Model Space Startup Challenge promises to be a transformative experience for young minds passionate about shaping the future of space exploration.

ABOUT US

UL Space Club, as a Registered Space Tutor of ISRO, serves as a platform for nurturing, developing, and grooming students from high school onwards in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Space. Our emphasis is on acquiring intrinsic knowledge to realize the full potential of space exploration. The club was founded and is nurtured by Shri E K Kutty, a former Scientist & Director at ISRO. ULCCS provides not only overall management and administrative support but, more importantly, total funding for the UL Space Club. Over the past eight years, we have conducted various activities for students, including residential space camps, with the support of premier institutions such as the University of Calicut, NIT, IIST, CUSAT, and more.

ELIGIBILTY AND REGISTRATION

The event will be conducted in two distinctive categories to cater to diverse academic levels and interests:

1. Senior Category: Students from Undergraduate Level

In the Senior Category, an Idea Pitching Competition is set to unfold, inviting participants to present innovative startup ideas centered around the following topics:

- In-Orbit Servicing and Debris Management.

- Space Tourism.

- Eco-Friendly Space Technologies.

- Planetary Defense Systems.

- Inter-Planetary Transportation.

- Geoengineering.

Guidelines For Senior Category

Team Composition:
- A team must consist of 2 to 4 members.
Designation of Team Leader:
- Each team should designate a team leader who will be responsible for registration and communication on behalf of the team.
Registration Process:
- Team leaders are required to register their teams for the competition.
- A registration fee of Rs 100 per participant is applicable.
- Registration details, including team information and payment, must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Abstract Submission:
- Teams are required to submit the abstract in PDF format before the deadline.
Selection Process:
- The selection process will be rigorous, with careful consideration given to the innovation, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed startup ideas.
- Only 10 teams will be selected to advance to the zonal event based on the evaluation of the abstract submitted by the teams.
Zonal Event:
- Selected teams will have the opportunity to present their startup ideas at the zonal event.
- Additionally, they will receive mentoring sessions from experts.

2. Junior Category: Students of Classes 8 - 12

For the Junior Category, a specialized Startup Workshop awaits participants. A total of 60 students will have the opportunity to attend the zonal event, and their selection will be based on a submitted write-up on the scenario given below:

Imagine it is the year 2050 and you are building a company that provides citizens various attractive tourism programs to space.
Now you need to attract people by sharing the details and uniqueness of your company.
Prepare a short write-up introducing your Space-Tourism company and describing your innovative space tourism programs.
The article can be in Malayalam / English and should not exceed 300 words / 2 Pages.

Guidelines For Junior Category

Eligibility: The Junior Category is open to students from Class 8 to 12.
Registration Process:
- Participants must register individually for the competition.
- A registration fee of Rs 100 per participant is applicable.
- Each participant is responsible for completing their registration process.
Article Submission:
- Participants need to submit the article in PDF format before the deadline.
- The article can be in Malayalam or English.
- The article should not exceed 300 words or 2 pages.