BPCL Startup Grand Slam Season #1

Grand Slam was BPCL's open innovation challenge, launched in January 2020. BPCL put six of its own operating problems out as problem statements and invited Indian startups to solve them, with prize money and a collaboration with BPCL for the winners. The six problems spanned IoT, analytics, AI and machine learning, asset performance management, mobility, customer engagement and CRM.

The numbers BPCL publishes: 329 entries came in online, an evaluation panel of internal and external members picked 25 startups for the finals, and the finalists pitched at a virtual grand finale. Six won, one per problem statement — UptimeAI on energy optimisation at a refinery, Detect Technologies on refinery unit performance optimisation, Sociograph Solutions on customer experience at fuel stations, LitmusWorld on real-time retail customer feedback, SiSoC Semiconductor Technologies on IoT for pay-as-you-go LPG cylinders, and Lynkit Solutions on a business model for the commercial LPG business. The prize covered a paid proof of concept and running it for two years, and BPCL says all six have completed their proof of concept.

How to apply: it is closed. No Season #2 has been announced, and the live application route is the BPCL Ankur Fund cohort.