Alginate Band-Aid: An advanced and affordable product used in the care of wounds/foot ulcers which can be slow to heal in diabetic patients.

Problem addressed by the idea: Existing products and methods takes longer time to heal foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

Support provided by L-RAMP: The innovator has been funded to develop a prototype to manufacture alginate band aid and to produce band aid at the lab scale using the prototype. With L-RAMP’s support, materials have been selected and processes for manufacture of prototype have been defined.
 

Brick Making Machine: A machine that mechanises brick-making, an activity that is currently done manually.

Problem addressed by the idea: Machines available in the market are expensive and are out of reach of brick kiln owners.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has helped develop a functional prototype of the machine. With L-RAMP’s support, the innovator has completed one field trial. Gaps in operations have been identified. L-RAMP has also helped the innovator focus on Technology improvement, development of a Technology Transfer document with the support of Global Business Solutions (GBS), and initiated talks with a potential manufacturing partner.
 

DesiCrew: An innovative Business Process Outsourcing model, where urban consumers will outsource back-end support work to rural centres.

Problem addressed by the idea: DesiCrew aims to bridge the gap between industry needs and the unemployed rural workforce. It provides rural employment (and related skills, income and social standing) with jobs contributing value to the Indian economy and also offers the chance for village-level entrepreneurs to obtain franchises and thus build their own business.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP aims to provide support such as 1) Funding (to support testing of the business model and training of employees) 2) Networks (for raising capital in the future) 3) Business Operations Support (addressing specific tasks such as HR, operational improvements). During the year 2007-2008, L-RAMP has supported DesiCrew to build a business plan.

Infant Warmer: A low-cost, easy-to-maintain baby warmer for newborns in rural hospitals.

Problem addressed by the idea: Rural hospitals are not able to afford the purchase or maintenance of traditional incubators or infant warmers.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP aims to provide support in Technical design and development, Pilot Marketing, and Technology Transfer. During the year, L-RAMP has helped address action points identified in the original design and the new prototype is ready. L-RAMP has helped the innovator to initiate trials.

IR Guard: A herbal product that, through its ingredients, raises the immunity of chicken.
Problem addressed by the idea: Bacteria and viruses that affect poultry have become immune to synthetic medicines.
Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP aims to provide support in Field trial to finalize formulation and evaluate the efficacy of the formulation

Mastitis Kit: A unique prognostic testing and care kit for early detection of onset of mastitis in bovines.

Problem addressed by the idea: Mastitis is the single largest disease afflicting dairy cattle in India. Reduced milk production as a result of mastitis impacts dairy farmer productivity and therefore income. Conventional testing kits require specialized expertise and are expensive to administer.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP aims to provide support in Technology Validation, Pilot Marketing and Technology Transfer. During the year 2007-2008, L-RAMP has helped complete demos and study of the technology. A patent application for the technology has been filed. L-RAMP is also supporting the innovator in identifying a partner for technology transfer and in pilot marketing the product.

Mini Sanitary Napkin Manufacturing Machine: A machine to make low cost sanitary napkins at the village level.

Problem addressed by the idea: The penetration of sanitary napkins is very low in villages due to reasons such as high cost of branded napkins and cultural barriers.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has helped develop a business model and plan for the technology. Pilot marketing of the napkin has been completed and 10 machines sold to 10 Self-Help Groups to provide self-employment opportunities for rural women. Members of these SHGs earn Rs. 2000 per month. L-RAMP will also support the innovator to identify entrepreneurs for scaling up the technology.

Mini Weeder: A new design weeder that can work on narrow plantation of crops like sugarcane, groundnuts etc. that are traditionally spaced too close for commercially used weeders.

Problem addressed by the idea: There are no weeders available for crops such as sugarcane, maize and groundnut that suit the agricultural conditions. This is further worsened by shortage of labour.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP aims to provide support in Prototype development, Field trial and Technology Transfer. The prototype is ready and partners have been identified for marketing and distribution. L-RAMP is also assisting the innovator in exploring the technology transfer route.

 ACG Neem Products (Nemate): Pesticide-fertiliser formulation that combines the pesticidal properties of neem with potassium compounds to reduce intake of inorganic fertilisers and improves the soil quality.

Problem addressed by the idea: One of the factors for the poor soil conditions in India is the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pests have become resistant to pesticides. Further, most of the agricultural land is deficient of potassium.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has helped complete field trial and product validation. 24 tons of Nemate bags have been sold through field trials. Farmers have saved up to 50% input cost by using Nemate along with other chemical fertilisers. L-RAMP has provided support in standardization of the product formulation, with the support of a mentor. As an outcome, the final documentation has been approved and completed. The innovator will submit a proposal for business incubation.

Neotherm: A low-cost, closed incubator for pre-term babies.

Problem addressed by the idea: Traditional incubators are too expensive for rural hospitals to purchase.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has supported Perfint, the manufacturers, in product development and the prototype was readied for testing.

Novel Sprinkler: An innovation that creates a spray of water without the need for any moving parts in the sprinkler.

Problem addressed by the idea: Sprinklers currently available are rotating in type. This causes wear and tear, therefore replacement costs for the poor.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has helped study the sprinkler’s key performance parameters, carry out field trials and form tie-ups with marketers.
 

Pin Pulveriser: Energy-saving, improved design of a pulveriser that allows grinding of oily material like coriander and chillies, along with cereals.

Problem addressed by the idea: Cereals, coriander and chillies are ground in a flour mill machine that consumes more energy. Also, there are chances of adulteration due to friction in the machine.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP aims to provide support in Prototype development and Field trial. L-RAMP has helped achieve a significant breakthrough in actualising the core promise of the product to grind oily material like coriander and chillies, which is the unique value proposition.
 

Plant Oil Stove: A hybrid design stove that can use both kerosene and plant oil.

Problem addressed by the idea: The poor can not afford to buy kerosene available in the open market for their cooking fuel requirements.

Support provided by L-RAMP: With L-RAMP’s support, prototype development has been completed and due diligence for business incubation is underway.

Rat Vanisher: A unique herbal and synthetic formulation product that repels rats away without killing them.

Problem addressed by the idea: Existing rodenticides kill rats and this causes foul smell, requiring dead rats to be removed.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has helped the innovator in addressing validation of the product and undertaking market research.
 

Rural Outsourced Production Enterprise (ROPE): A system innovation that links rural handicraft artisans to urban markets through a remote outsourcing model.

Problem addressed by the idea: Poor artisans in rural areas are not able to market their products effectively and therefore get inadequate earnings.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has supported the innovator in developing a business plan and also provided funding. Consultants for marketing and design have been engaged.
 

Sheep Rearing Model: Mr. G V Sudarshan, director of Provimi Products and proprietor of Sudarshan Enterprises has innovated a business model that integrates twin innovations – a service innovation and a product innovation. Mr. Sudarshan’s model integrates all the critical components necessary for sheep rearing.

Problem addressed by the idea: Sheep rearing continues to be an important activity for employment and livelihood. However, the sector is highly unorganised and underserved. Furthermore, many of those engaged in this traditional activity are nomadic. Owing to various constraints, these groups do not enjoy a decent quality of life.

Support provided by L-RAMP: L-RAMP has signed an MoU with the innovator to help prove the concept. L-RAMP’s support will include funding to create a pilot model and subsequently, to scale up the model.