WagonR Think Big Challenge Season 3 receives a whopping 36,318 registrations

WagonR Think Big Challenge season 3, one of India’s coveted business challenges, has garnered a whopping 36,318 registrations across the country, this year. Season 3 of the challenge has seen an immense escalation in the quality and variety of business ideas as compared to that received last year.

Out of the total number of registrations received, 2,385 unique business ideas were submitted.  The contest garnered 736, 563, 752 and 244 business ideas from the Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern regions of the country respectively. Out of which, 339 distinct entrepreneurial ideas were received from Mumbai this year.

Speaking at the occasion, Manohar Bhat, Chief General Manager, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The 3rd season of WagonR Think Big brings in more objectivity and greater focus towards the participants from specific target groups. The overwhelming response that we have received this year stands witness to the fact that India has a large pool of diverse talent which thrives on innovation and creative excellence. Maruti Suzuki through the WRTBC3 wants to tap this unutilized potential and propel it further to achieve progressive results.”

This year’s competition has received some ingenious entrepreneurial ideas like a unique recycling initiative called "iRecycle" where in customers would get reward points in exchange for the recyclable goods they offer. Another idea was to integrate a breath analyser with the car’s ignition and acceleration system. Depending upon the alcohol limit in the driver’s blood, the car might get started or move at a very slow speed.

The contest which created an all new ‘Young Turks’ category for B-School students from as many as 120 colleges spread across 12 cities, received 5767 registrations in this category this year. The smartest business idea amongst students would win a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

The winner of the General Category (Mainline) would be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a brand new Maruti Suzuki WagonR and an opportunity to get his or her idea funded by venture capitalists to start the business. This year, the company would also be providing infrastructural and monetary support during the incubation period of the short listed business ideas.