India – 8th July 2026: Vande Bharatam, a nationwide initiative to discover, nurture and empower India’s next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers, has witnessed an overwhelming response from aspiring innovators across India and beyond.
Launched on the occasion of Mr. Gautam Adani’s 64th birthday, Vande Bharatam has attracted applications from all 28 States and 8 Union Territories across India, along with entries from multiple international markets, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Canada, underscoring the initiative’s growing national and global appeal.
With artificial intelligence and deep technologies increasingly shaping the future of innovation, Technology, AI & Deep Tech emerged as the leading category, attracting the highest number of applications. The submissions showcased a diverse range of unique ideas and transformative concepts designed to solve real-world challenges across industries and communities. Submissions also reflected broad representation across Agri, Food & Rural Economy, Health & Pharma, Education, Retail, Commerce & Consumer, and Manufacturing & Industry 4.0, reflecting the growing depth and diversity of innovation across key sectors of the economy.
The applicant pool reflected strong participation from women entrepreneurs, rural changemakers and sustainability-focused innovators, highlighting the growing momentum for inclusive and purpose-driven innovation. The response reflects Vande Bharatam’s vision of empowering changemakers who are developing solutions with lasting social, economic and environmental impact.
Speaking on the overwhelming response received, Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group said, “Vande Bharatam is not a competition, it is a conviction. A conviction that the next idea to change India will not come from where it always has. We have seen innovators respond from every state of this nation and from across the world, and it has only deepened my belief: India’s greatest chapter is not being written in boardrooms. It is being written by people who were never given a room to begin with. That changes now.”
As we move forward, Vande Bharatam will provide aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs with the right opportunities, mentorship and support to transform their ideas into solutions that create meaningful impact. I extend my best wishes to every applicant and look forward to seeing many of these ideas evolve into innovations that contribute to building a stronger and more self-reliant India.”
The initiative is open to anyone with an idea, innovation, solution or entrepreneurial ambition. Participants may apply with a concept, prototype, early-stage venture or established business at vandebharatam.org.
Applications will undergo a structured evaluation process focused on innovation, entrepreneurial potential, impact and scalability.
Following state and regional evaluations, 75 finalists will be invited to Ahmedabad for an intensive programme featuring mentorship, industry interactions and engagement with investors and business leaders. Together, they will represent a cross-section of talent from across regions, sectors and communities.
Finalists will gain access to mentors, investors, industry leaders, incubation support and strategic partnerships that can help transform ideas into enterprises. The programme will also include prize money and category-based recognitions, details of which will be announced at a later stage.
The Grand Finale, scheduled around India’s Independence Day, will mark the beginning of an ongoing engagement platform connecting participants with mentors, investors, industry leaders and fellow innovators.
About Vande Bharatam
Vande Bharatam is a nationwide entrepreneurship and innovation initiative launched by Mr Gautam Adani to identify, nurture and showcase entrepreneurial talent from every State and Union Territory of India. Through a structured selection process, mentorship opportunities and a national finale, the programme aims to broaden access to entrepreneurial opportunity and support the next generation of Indian innovators.
Acclaimed actor, television host and entrepreneur Mr Rajeev Khandelwal will serve as the Ambassador and Host of Vande Bharatam. With a career spanning television, cinema and digital platforms, he will help champion the initiative’s mission of identifying, celebrating and amplifying entrepreneurial talent from across India.
