PGPEM students claim first runner-up spot in prestigious case competition
Gethaara Gowri Gowthami, Lakshmi R, Naveen Raj S shine at IIM Calcutta’s national social-impact competition
6 December, 2024, Bengaluru: Three students from IIM Bangalore’s MBA for Working Executives program (PGPEM)—Gethaara Gowri Gowthami, Lakshmi R, and Naveen Raj S—have secured National First Runners Up in the Innovate for Social-Impact strategy competition organized by the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. The event challenged participants to devise an innovative sustainable solution for real-world problems in the retail sector. Team Creative Catalysts excelled with EatWise, which sought to transform India’s restaurant and food delivery industry by integrating sustainability and ethical practices through tech-driven innovation.Their strategy proposed zero-waste operations through reusable packaging, composting food scraps, and carbon-conscious delivery using electric vehicles and bicycles. With features like blockchain-enabled ingredient transparency, gamified eco-rewards, and direct sourcing from local farmers, the concept blended environmental responsibility with customer engagement.
The solution’s emphasis on community upliftment through job creation and micro-funding opportunities also made it a promising model for sustainable growth in India’s food sector.