The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has won the Marico Innovation Foundation Global Game-Changer Award for democratising digital payments in India and globally at the 10th edition of the Indian Innovation Icons in Mumbai recently. The Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF) also awarded seven game-changing innovators during the ceremony.
Selected from over 1,000 entries spanning diverse sectors, the winners in the business category include Astrome Technologies, advancing wireless telecommunication services in rural and remote areas using India’s first commercial product in E-band spectrum.
Chara Technologies, developing rare-Earth magnet-free electric motor systems for EVs and industrial machinery
Indra Water, utilising a decentralised and modular water treatment system to recycle sewage/ industrial wastewater
Skyroot Aerospace, providing cost-effective and on-demand access to space for global satellite operators.
In the social category, AssisTech Foundation incubates innovative disability technology start-ups, Rocket Learning enhances early childhood education at the grassroots with a focus on upskilling Anganwadi workers, and People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI) preserves rural India’s stories through a digital archive.
Harsh Mariwala, Chairman, Marico Limited and Founder, Marico Innovation Foundation said, “What sets Indian Innovation Icons apart is its ability to identify and recognise innovators at a time when their sectors are still emerging. Across nine editions and 70 winners, we are proud that over 80% of the innovators felicitated have stood the test of time and their innovations have gone on to create real socio-economic or environmental impact in India.”
