Stage 1: Short-listing the nominees.

A Jury Panel comprising experts from business, industry and academic institutions will select a SHORTLIST after evaluating the data furnished by the nominees. Nominees may be invited for an online interactive session with the Jury.

Stage 2: Videographing the shortlisted nominees and their innovation

The nominees shortlisted by the preliminary Jury will be contacted for recording a short video of the innovation submission prior to the Final Jury Meet.

Stage 3: Interaction with the nominees

Nominees may be invited for an online interactive session with the Jury to clarify aspects that they may seek.

Stage 4: Choosing the finalists.

The winners will be chosen by the Jury, which will consist of leaders from industry and venture capitalists.

The awards will be presented on the scheduled day that will be announced on this website.

15th CAVINKARE-MMA
CHINNIKRISHNAN
GREAT IDEAS
AWARDS

SUBMISSION ENDS IN...

What Makes Your idea a Winner?

This category aims to recognise and encourage creative thinkers, dreamers, and problem-solvers whose ideas have the potential to shape the future. These may include bold, original concepts that demonstrate strong thinking and future potential, even if not fully executed. In other words, you may submit your ideas even if its at the concept, prototype, pilot, or early implementation stage.

The selection will depend on four evaluation criteria concerning the product(s) and/or service(s):

Uniqueness of thought is verifiable.

Originality

Clearly identifies a relevant problem and presents a thoughtful, well-articulated solution.

Clarity

Has the potential to benefit people, society, or industry.

Relevance & Impact

Reflects forward-thinking and anticipates future needs or challenges.

Foresight

Since its establishment in 2011, the CavinKare-MMA ChinniKrishnan Innovation and Great Ideas Awards have consistently demonstrated unwavering support for inventive endeavors initiated by small-scale enterprises and business individuals.

This category is designed to encourage participation from early-stage innovators and thinkers whose ideas have the potential to create meaningful impact

Open to Individuals & Institutions: Applicants may include individual innovators, start-ups, entrepreneurs, corporates, academicians, researchers, and students from across India.
Originality of Idea: The idea must be the original intellectual creation of the applicant and should not be copied or plagiarised.
Indian Participation: The applicant should be a citizen of India or the idea should originate from within India.
Stage of Idea: Ideas may be at any stage, including:
- Concept stage
- Prototype stage
- Pilot or early implementation
- Previously implemented or discontinued (with significant learning)

Problem Relevance: The idea must address a clearly defined and meaningful problem relevant to society, users, or industry.
Ownership Declaration: Applicants must provide a self-declaration confirming ownership, originality, and that the idea is not under any legal or intellectual property dispute.
No Mandatory Commercialisation: Revenue generation, funding, or large-scale adoption is not mandatory for eligibility.
Turnover Criteria Not Applicable: Unlike the main innovation awards, there is no turnover restriction for this category (to encourage early-stage thinkers).
Confidentiality & Consent Declaration: All information submitted in this nomination will be kept confidential and shared only with the designated Jury Members for evaluation purposes. However, details of the winning ideas may be publicly announced during the Awards Function. By submitting this nomination, the applicant confirms their consent to these terms and authorises the CKIA Committee to use the submitted information for evaluation and recognition purposes.

CAVINKARE-MMA
CHINNIKRISHNAN GREAT IDEAS AWARD

A cash prize of Rs. 10,000 will be presented to each Great Idea selected for the award.

CKPL and MMA will offer to mentor on marketing, finance, designing, packaging, R&D and HR besides the following:

One-year direct access to the top talent available in the industry.
Support for IP acquisition.
Facilitate business links with banks & financial institutions.

* CKPL and MMA will have no financial stake.

Frequently asked questions

• The Nominee should be a citizen of India. • Open to individuals & Institutions - Applicants may include individual innovators, start-ups, entrepreneurs, corporates, academicians, researchers, and students from across India. • The idea must be original and created by the applicant. It should not be copied, plagiarised, or under any legal or intellectual property dispute. A self-declaration confirming ownership is required. • Problem Relevance: The idea must address a clearly defined and meaningful relevant problem for society, users, or industry.

Instructions

There are six sections in the application form. Completing the application process will take not more than five minutes.
Upon receipt of the application and supporting documents, a confirmation email / SMS will be sent to the applicant for compliance by The ChinniKrishnan Innovation Award Executive Committee (CKIAEC).
In case any clarification would be required please feel free to contact Mr. S R Hari Prasad, DGM, MMA (99529 32169) or drop a mail to mma@mmachennai.org

Last date for submission:
Monday, 22 June 2026

Great Idea Awards 2026

Fill and submit your application

Just a moment...

Step 1 of 8 — Application Details