Project: Pata

Reuniting India with its belongings. One find at a time.

The Problem is Universal & Unsolved.

Every day, thousands of valuable and sentimental items are lost across India. The current systems are fragmented, inefficient, and rely on pure luck.

0

% of value from lost items at airports is never recovered.

0

Crore (₹) worth of items lost at airports alone in one year.

0

Lakh phones reported lost or stolen in Delhi in a single year.

Our Solution: A Unified, Intelligent Network.

📍

Hyperlocal

Geo-tagged posts and alerts mean you see what's relevant to your immediate area, from your neighborhood to your city.

🏆

Incentivized

Our Karma Points and Bounty systems reward the community for participation, turning honesty into a tangible asset.

🛡️

Secure

With KYC-verified "Hunters" and a secure "Digital Handshake" protocol, we build trust into every interaction.

The Core Loop: Simple & Effective

😥

1. Lose

A user loses an item.

✍️

2. Post

They post details & a photo on Pata.

🔔

3. Alert

Local "Hunters" get an instant alert.

👀

4. Find

A Finder or Hunter locates the item.

🤝

5. Verify

Secure handover via QR "Digital Handshake".

🎉

6. Reward

Finder gets Karma Points or a Bounty.

Core Features

Pata Alert

High-priority alerts for missing persons and pets broadcasted to all users in the vicinity.

Hunter Ecosystem

A verified community of pro-finders who get exclusive access to bounty alerts.

Karma Points

A rewards system that gamifies altruism, allowing users to redeem points for cash or donations.

Digital Handshake

A secure, QR-code based verification to ensure items are returned to the rightful owner safely.

Challenges & Our Solutions

Fraud & Misuse

False claims or disputes can erode trust in the platform.

Solution: KYC for "Hunters", user rating systems, and the secure "Digital Handshake" protocol create a verifiable and accountable process.

User Adoption

A network is only as strong as its users. Building critical mass is a challenge.

Solution: A multi-pronged approach using gamification (Karma Points), financial incentives (Bounties), and strategic partnerships with high-traffic organizations (Railways, Universities).

Data Privacy

Handling user location and personal data requires utmost responsibility.

Solution: We will use Firebase's secure infrastructure, anonymize data where possible, and adopt a strict privacy policy. All communication happens in-app, without revealing personal contact info.

Built on a Modern, Scalable Foundation.

We are using a robust, industry-standard technology stack to ensure reliability, security, and a seamless user experience from day one.

Next.js Firebase TypeScript Tailwind CSS Cloud Functions

Our Roadmap to a National Solution

Phase 1: MVP & Hackathon

Develop a functional prototype demonstrating the core loop. Win key hackathons to gain visibility and initial validation.

Phase 2: Pilot Program

Launch a pilot in a controlled environment like a university campus (e.g., Bethuadahari) or a tech park to gather data and user feedback.

Phase 3: Strategic Partnerships

Approach government bodies (MeitY, Smart Cities Mission) and corporations (Railways, Airports) with our pilot data to form strategic partnerships.

Phase 4: National Scale

Expand state-by-state, integrating with public services and becoming the de-facto national platform for all lost and found items in India.

Let's Build This Together.

This isn't just a project; it's a mission to solve a fundamental problem for millions. We have the vision, the plan, and the technical foundation. Now, we need your expertise and dedication to bring it to life.

Let's Get Started