In a landmark achievement for Nagaland and the Northeast region, homegrown start up Zeliang Codetech Pvt. Ltd. has emerged as the winner of the prestigious Youth Co:Lab National innovation challenge 2024-2025, under the category of Inclusive and Accessible Assistive Technology.
Represented by Duplikhum Langtithonger, Co-founder and Senior Creative Head, the company’s innovative product “ZOULES” impressed judges and mentors with its potential to revolutionize mobility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). ZOULES is a compact, smart attachment that transforms any regular wheelchair into an electric wheelchair or even an e-bike within seconds a cost-effective, portable solution packed with safety features and designed to enhance independence and dignity for users.
Zeliang Codetech was awarded a seed grant as part of the national recognition, marking a proud moment not only for the company but for the entire region, often underrepresented in the mainstream tech landscape.
The Youth Co:Lab initiative is co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, and implemented in India in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and AssisTech Foundation (ATF). The program aims to empower young entrepreneurs to develop inclusive and impactful solutions addressing key social challenges.
Five-Day Bootcamp in Bengaluru: A Journey of Learning and Transformation
Zeliang Codetech’s road to victory unfolded over a dynamic five-day national bootcamp held in Bengaluru, featuring interactive sessions, expert mentoring, and real-world pitching experiences:
Day 1 featured keynote addresses by Jeya Chandran (Regional Head, UNDP – South India) and Pratik Madhav (Co-founder & CEO, ATF), followed by fundraising and startup storytelling insights during “Venture Veritas” with Sanjay Anandaram (Co-founder & CEO, NICEorg).
Day 2 included a friendly Inclusive Cricket League with Padma Shri awardee Shekhar Naik, and branding insights from Ankit Vengurlekar. Duplikhum also received critical business mentorship from Ajith Paul (Co-founder of WEF – Tech Pioneer).
Day 3 explored well-being through yoga and sound healing with Vidya (Bloom Suites), market-entry strategy by Dr. Lakshmi Jagannathan (CEO, Innovation Centre), and a unique “EcoPitch” session where school students reinterpreted entrepreneurs’ ideas.
Day 4 featured the intense “InnoCourt” pitch round and an experiential game on systems thinking, “Pause. Perceive. Preserve.”
Day 5 culminated with Zeliang Codetech being named one of the top six national finalists, ultimately winning in its category and receiving accolades for its inclusive and impactful solution.
“This platform gave us not just visibility, but also the tools and mentorship to shape our vision with clarity and impact. It’s an honour to represent Nagaland and bring attention to the region’s potential in tech-driven innovation,” said Duplikhum Langtithonger, following the announcement.
Zeliang Codetech’s success sends a powerful message that innovation can thrive in every corner of the country, and that the hills of Nagaland are home to creators with global potential.
As the company sets its sights on further development and deployment of ZOULES, this recognition marks a major step forward not only for Zeliang Codetech but for the broader mission of inclusive, accessible technology made in India, for India.
Zeliang Codetech wins innovation challenge
