Thiruvananthapuram: Two startups from Kerala have bagged top honours in the national innovation challenge on start-up Ideathon, ''APPATHON'', conducted by Hitachi India Research and Development Centre in association with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).

Kochi-based Doorward Technologies won the first prize of Rs 20 lakhs. Kochi-based Agrima Infotech won a prize worth Rs 10 lakhs

Hitachi India APPATHON was organised in collaboration with the Kerala Startup Mission  The challenge focused on digital innovations for small and medium businesses. Doorward Technologies emerged as the winner from 27 selected startups

Agrima developed a system to eliminate queues at the billing counters in supermarkets. Bangalore-based Yobny Tech came third, winning Rs 5 lakhs

Hitachi India will provide market support to the APPATHON winners. About 125 startups applied for the challenge, which was run by the Hitachi India, R&D Center

The prizes were announced at a virtual ceremony attended by the officials of Hitachi R&D Centre, India and KSUM.

Mohammed Safirulla, Secretary of IT & Electronics, Government of Kerala, gave a special address at the event. The awards include cash prizes and digital certificates.

Around 125 startups from across the country applied for the 'APPATHON, which focused on addressing some of the problems faced by the small and medium businesses, it said.

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