Startup Scoop - Edition 6

About E-Cell MIT

Welcome to the Entrepreneurship Cell of MIT Manipal! We aim to help students develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, providing them with the resources and support that will enable them to transform their ideas into viable businesses.

UpEase : Transforming Education Management from Manipal

Meet Lance, Karthik, and Raghav – the MIT trio on a mission to revolutionize education with UpEase, a startup blending SaaS and Edtech. India's education scene lacked a market leader, as the vast difference between different education institutes gave rise to scalability issues. But fear not! UpEase's highly intuitive tool called Institute Console Copilot swoops in, solving the scalability problem elegantly.

Adoption headaches? UpEase cracked the code, creating an effortlessly sleek experience even for educators who are in the age group of 30-60.?

Now, let's talk about the crown jewel – AI. It can only penetrate when the data of an educational institute is grounded in a secure and robustly accessible cloud, with unlimited degrees of freedom. UpEase is all set to be the superhero squad of education management, swooping in to save the day one? byte at a time. ??♂??

Physics eyes offline expansion in 2024 with 100 Physical Centres!

Physics Wallah is gearing up for a massive offline expansion in 2024! ???? They'll open 36 new centres across India, reaching a total of 100. This means catering to 1 million students, a 71% increase! ?? Tamil Nadu is their next target, thanks to a partnership with Xylem Learning. ??

Why the offline push? ?? While 95% of their students learn online, Physics Wallah wants to help those who need extra guidance and a structured environment. ?They're even building Alakh AI, a language-agnostic AI study buddy! ??And to deliver quality education to remote areas, they're designing ultra-low-bandwidth classes. ????

Hiring is also hot! ?? They'll recruit 1,100 people in 6 months, 60% being teachers.? This comes after a small layoff in November due to performance concerns.?

Fun Fact ??

Nike's iconic swoosh logo, representing speed and style, was designed by a student for just $35. Later, she received stock in the company, turning a small gig into a major success story! ?????

Glow Beta: Illuminating the Future of Energy, One Sunbeam at a Time

Ditch the faceless grid and skyrocketing bills! ?? Glow Beta lets you turn your rooftop into a personal power plant, humming with sunshine and minting suncoins on the Ethereum blockchain. ?? You're not just generating clean energy, you're becoming a sunpreneur, trading sunlight like bitcoin and powering your world directly. ??

Smart contracts on the blockchain handle the transactions, ensuring transparency and security. Forget middlemen, empower your community, and join the renewable revolution. Glow Beta ??isn't just a marketplace, it's a community, building local sustainability and trust. Slash your energy bills, invest in the future, and watch your suncoins grow as the green energy movement blossoms. ?? Ready to trade sunbeams for crypto, own a piece of the planet's future, and shine bright? Plug into Glow Beta and let the sunshine power your world! ???

A New Weapon in the Fight Against Lung Cancer

The fight against lung cancer just received a powerful boost with the development of "Pivot," an AI tool created by researchers at IIT Madras. This innovative technology delves into an individual's genetic data, pinpointing the specific genes responsible for their cancer. This personalized approach allows doctors to tailor treatment plans with laser precision, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing harsh side effects.

Pivot promises a future where early detection and improved survival rates become a reality for countless patients battling this challenging disease.

While traditional treatments often rely on a one-size-fits-all approach, Pivot paves the way for a new era of individualized care???. Its ability to predict the most effective drugs and minimize side effects offers a brighter outlook for countless individuals struggling with lung cancer. With this potential for earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates, Pivot shines as a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against this devastating disease.

Google Settles $700 Million Lawsuit Over Play Store Monopoly Claims!

Google has finalized a $700 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit regarding its Play Store. Filed in 2021, the lawsuit accused Google of monopolizing Android app distribution. The recent California jury decision supported claims of anticompetitive practices. ????

The settlement, reached in September, allocates $630 million to U.S. consumers and an additional $70 million for U.S. states. Google has pledged to streamline users' direct app downloads from developers as part of the resolution.????

Epic Games, behind "Fortnite," sought an injunction and plans to propose transformative changes to the Play Store in the coming year. This settlement not only carries a hefty financial impact but also foreshadows potential shifts in app distribution dynamics, captivating industry observers and consumers alike. The Play Store's role in the digital landscape is undergoing significant scrutiny and transformation. ????

??Movie Recommendation - “The Social Network” Directed by David Fincher        

“The Social Network” offers you a glimpse into how Facebook began and reminds you that big companies often have small beginnings. Aside from that, you have Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant script, David Fincher’s perfect direction, and a great ensemble cast.

Test Your Business Acumen with Two Quick Questions!??

1. What is the term for a situation in which a single company dominates an entire industry and significantly influences the market?

a) Oligopoly

b) Monopoly

c) Duopoly

d) Competition

1. In the startup world, what does the term "bootstrapping" refer to?

a) Wearing comfortable boots in the workplace

b) Self-funding or self-sustaining a business without external investment

c) Implementing a new software development framework

d) Organizing team-building events

And that's a wrap, folks! ???? But fear not, the entrepreneurial journey never truly ends—it evolves! Keep your eyes peeled for more electrifying updates and insights. ???

Stay wired for the latest tips, resources, and innovation straight from E-Cell MIT to keep you riding the startup wave.???? ????

Fuel your hunger, fuel your productivity! ???? Until our next rendezvous, sending you all the entrepreneurial vibes and love from E-Cell, MIT. ??? Keep pioneering!

With love from Varshney, Vivek, Bhavesh, Shrihar, Preyanshi, Asmi and Khush.

Have a good day!??????