₹1 lakh · Inaugural open challenge · Aug–Dec 2026

Kodagu's resolve,
backed & built.

ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ — a resolve to act.

Kodagu Sankalpa finds the best local solution to a real Kodagu problem — and gives the person or team behind it ₹1 lakh, a mentor, and a real pilot site to make it happen. By Kodagu, for Kodagu.

Opens 1 Aug 2026 Winner end of Nov Open to all of Kodagu
Kodagu Sankalpa — Innovation Challenge
The inaugural challenge · 2026

One open call, Aug to December

This first year is a single open challenge — bring any Kodagu problem and your solution. From 2027, Sankalpa becomes quarterly, with a ₹1 lakh prize every quarter.

AUG – OCT

Open & scout

Entries open. We go find ideas — meetups, village scouting, and entries by form, WhatsApp voice note, or in person.

NOVEMBER

Shortlist & mentor

The strongest entries are shortlisted, everyone gets honest feedback, and a short bootcamp sharpens ideas.

END NOV

Winner announced

A local panel plus a theme expert picks the winner against a published rubric. The winner gets the prize, a mentor and a pilot site.

DEC ONWARD

Build & prove

Prize money is released as the solution hits real milestones — and we help apply for follow-on funding.

What is Kodagu Sankalpa

A prize that turns Kodagu's ideas into working solutions

Kodagu is full of people who know its problems best — planters, students, panchayat members, families at the forest's edge. Sankalpa is where their ideas get backed: we invite solutions from the people who live the problem, and fund the best one from prototype to a real pilot on the ground. It is the innovation engine of Kodagu.ai — alongside open tools like Aane Alert.

How it works

From idea to a real pilot — in one season

A simple, published rhythm so anyone can plan. Enter in Kannada, Kodava thakk, or English — writing, a voice note, or in person all count.

01 · AUG–OCT

Open & scout

We announce the open challenge and go find ideas — meetups, village scouting, and entries by form, WhatsApp, or in person.

02 · NOVEMBER

Shortlist & mentor

The strongest entries are shortlisted, everyone gets honest feedback, and a short bootcamp sharpens ideas into something buildable.

03 · END NOV

Judge & award

A local panel plus one expert picks the winner against a public rubric. The winner gets the first prize tranche, a mentor and a pilot site.

04 · DEC ONWARD

Build & prove

Prize money is released as the solution hits real milestones — and we help winners apply for follow-on funding worth far more.

The prize

₹1 lakh, paid as you build

Money is released against real progress, so ideas reach the ground — and the mentorship and guaranteed pilot are often worth more than the cash.

₹30,000Build. You win and a specific pilot site & plan are agreed.
₹40,000Field test. A working prototype is live at the named pilot site.
₹30,000Evidence. A documented result at the pilot — data, photos, real users.
Total incubation award
₹1,00,000
this year · one open winner · ₹1 lakh every quarter from 2027
  • A named mentor for your pilot
  • A guaranteed pilot site via our panchayat & Forest Department partners
  • Help applying for follow-on funding (ELEVATE, Startup India Seed Fund) worth ₹20–50 lakh
  • You keep ownership of your idea — always credited by name
How we judge

Five things we look for

The rubric is public from day one. Every entrant is scored the same way — and gets written feedback.

1

Impact for Kodagu

Does it solve a real, felt Kodagu problem for real people here?

2

Feasibility

Can it be built & piloted with ₹1 lakh + mentorship in one season?

3

Community-rooted

Is it designed with the people affected — do they want it?

4

Team & grit

Can you execute and stick with it through the pilot?

5

Path forward

Could it outlive the prize — via revenue, a partner, or funding?

You decide

Vote for 2027's four challenges

Loading votes…

From 2027, Sankalpa runs one themed challenge a quarter. Pick up to three problems you most want Kodagu to solve — the top four become next year's quarterly challenges. One ballot per device; you can change your vote anytime.

Select up to 3 topics.
Enter the challenge

Submit your idea

Open to anyone who lives in or is from Kodagu. Tell us five things — plain language is perfect, and a voice note works too. Entries for the inaugural open challenge are open now.

Kodagu Sankalpa — Entry Form

Reviewed before shortlisting. We only use your contact details to follow up.

In your own words. If you can, mention what you've seen first-hand.
What would you build or do? Plain language is perfect.
Optional — a Google Drive / YouTube / photo link showing the problem or your prototype.
So we can tag you when we share your entry. Your username is enough.
Email it instead ↗

Entries are reviewed before shortlisting. Prefer a voice note? Email us and we'll help you enter.

Entry received — thank you!

Your idea is in for the inaugural Kodagu Sankalpa. We'll be in touch during the shortlisting in November. ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ.

Kodagu's next solution could be yours.

You know the problem. We'll help you build the fix — with ₹1 lakh, a mentor, and a place to prove it.

Submit your idea