Kashmir-based ‘SmartFish’ bags national ‘Big Fish Pool’ startup grant

SYED JESARAT

Srinagar, Aug 29: A Kashmir-based startup idea ‘SmartFish’ which aims to automate aquaculture with the help of IoT, has been declared the winner at the national level ‘Big Fish Pool’ startup event and has been awarded Rs3.5 lakh grant.

Falak Jan and Naveed Hamid from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir have not only successfully defended their idea but have received an open offer grant extendable upto Rs 15 lakh for its expansion.

‘The Big Fish Pool’, a significant national startup event, was organised by CT University (CTU) and associated partners in an effort to bring together young entrepreneurs from various across the country. It assisted prospective young entrepreneurs in pitching their ideas to venture capitalists and investors, who evaluated them and provided the young business owners with financial support.

Falak Jan and Naveed Hamid’s, ‘SmartFish’ successfully defended the Investors Meet to Secure  Rs3.50 lakh for their idea during “The Grand Big Fish Pool” by Startup Punjab, CT University, and several other investors. The AI-driven, BlackEye Technology acknowledged the concept behind ‘SmartFish’ and immediately pledged financial support of Rs3.50 lakh and more in the future.

A SmartFish: What Is It?

The concept behind SmartFish is to revolutionise aquaculture by using IoT (internet of things) sensors to automate every aspect of a fishpond. Remote control will be used to control everything.

The device will assist the fishermen in a number of ways, including controlling fish feeding and monitoring temperature and oxygen levels. Additionally, it can aid in monitoring outdoor activities involving ponds. Fishermen will have total control over every aspect of fish. The shelves will be created to look towards any untoward happing in the water.

The SmartFish team will receive mentoring support from The Big Fish Pool as well. The team first requested a Rs3 lakh investment, but more was given as a result of the presentation of the original idea. Additionally, if the team needs more funding to scale out the technology, they will be provided with any amount up to Rs15 lakh.

It’s a necessary practice for the fisheries sector in the modern day; this model is needed in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, etc. for the development of the sector.

The team is also working on their next models that will focus on agriculturally related activities, particularly on unexplored concepts, giving fisherman AI-based devices that will do the work in a matter of seconds and separate the waste in the boxes. This is known as the idea of “Waste Wealth” where technology is utilised to extract valuable resources, recycle waste, and generate electricity

The J&K UT, the customer, and the vendor will all profit from this. The idea is that this device will be 1 foot tall, lightweight, and powered by DC (Direct Current) and sensors. “We are looking forward to making it possible here, it is already available in some areas outside India,” Naveed said

Naveed Bhat and Falak Jan expressed their gratitude to the SKUAST-K authorities, in particular Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, for their guidance, inspiration, and support.

Among the 300+ national teams that were selected for investment, Team SmartFish was chosen by eminent investors from across the country. Of the 40 teams that made the shortlist, only three received funding for the investment, including SmartFish. In May 2022, the registration process was completed. Additionally, SmartFish won ‘Skils Panacea’,  where they gave the winning team a startup foundation course worth  Rs85,000.