About Us
Forge as partner incubator to MoHUA has been spearheading CiX covering development of the CiX digital platform, curation of innovation challenges through the CiX Sandbox, and execution of the CiX Accelerator for empowering Cities with managerial capabilities and resources to implement the SmartProcure policy.
Sandbox
Curation of Innovation Challenges to effectively realise holistic, future-proof technologically advanced solutions through co-creation with startups.
Platform
A comprehensive policy with detailed SOPs approved by MoHUA for Cities to directly procure innovations (at PoC/Prototype/Pilot stage) from startups. This fair, transparent, and accelerated process, substitutes the conventional RFP process unviable for startup/innovation procurement.
Accelerator
CiX Accelerator implements the workflows to accelerate the translation of lab-stage technologies and solution concepts into standardized solutions through the Co-creation, Grant Management, Solution Validation and Procurement of Innovations. This process will anchor the implementation of the SmartProcure policy measures and SOPs at each city and within the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India.
Program Benefits
Market Access
Connect to all the relevant smart cities and other non-smart cities for your solution vertical.
Expert Mentorship
The program advisory and mentor board consists of senior leaders from urban tech departments of global MNCs.
Strategic Advisory
Product and business acceleration through commercial partnerships and access to strategic investments.
Access to Funds
Access to funds and grant schemes from Goverment agencies, CSR Contributions and various seed/angel funds.
Pilot Implementation
Rigorous program structure and strategic frameworks in place to help you scale and successfully implement the pilot.
Access to Partner Networks
Showcase of solution to other relevant cities and extensive partner network to explore and deliver collaborative implementations.
Admission Criteria
1. You should be registered as a startup on the CiX platform.
2. Your solution / unsolicited proposal should be shortlisted
by an anchored city.
3. Should have got a pilot order or shortlisted for a pre-pilot
by the city.
Program Metrics
City Admins
Active Challenges
Innovators
Solutions
How are we Different?
Challenge Sectors
Program Advisory Board
Kunal Kumar
Joint Secretary and Mission Director
Smart Cities Mission
Hitesh Vaidya
Director
National Institute of Urban Affairs
Chintan Vaishnav
Mission Director
Atal Innovation Mission
Vish Sahasranamam
Chief Executive Officer
Forge
Pankaj Bhatiya
General Manager & Business Unit Head-Transportation
NEC
Ravi Koulagi
Global Director
CISCO
Vinod Karumampoyil
Country Digital Acceleration - Program Execution Leader
CISCO
Kamal Arora
Sr. Director - Sales (Govt.)
DELL
Corporate Partners
Testimonials
Md. Shamshad
Chief Executive Officer, Patna Smart City Limited.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Forge team who duly did the handholding to
onboard us on to the CiX platform. CiX platform has helped us a lot in connecting with multiple
tech solution providers for taking up various innovative tech based projects and solutions for
Patna Smart City. We are indeed looking forward to collaborate more with CiX team in hosting
challenges to source innovative solutions from startups.
Dr. Shanta Thoutam
Chief Innovation Officer, Government of Telangana.
CiX portal will act as one-stop destination for startups and other stakeholders to explore
solution based open innovation synergies. It will ease the co-creation process by streamlining
partnerships and manage end-to-end governance amongst all partners. Seamlessly, CiX will
serve as a platform for startups across India to scale up.
Aniruddha Shahapure
Chief Knowledge Officer, Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited.
CiX platform enables to expedite direct procurement with the solution providers to specific use
case which can solve the critical issues faced by the city, and with the CiX team from Forge it
was much easier to get onboard on CiX . Thanks Forge team for handholding and for quick
replies to queries.
Dr Kanhaiya Aurora
Medical Officer, Public Health Department, Surat Municipal Corporation.
CiX not only helped us connect with solution providers/ startups but also provided a very
intuitive end to end procurement platform. Thanks to the CiX team, from Forge, who helped us
to become the first city to successfully issue a pilot order through the platform.
Team
Arun S
Principal (incubation), Forge.Ventures.jpg)
