Gautam Adani’s ‘Vande Bharatam’ selects first cohort from over 26,000 entries

‘Vande Bharatam’, the grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship initiative launched by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, has selected its inaugural cohort from more than 26,000 applications received from across India.

Applications pour in from across India

The initiative received applications from every state and Union Territory, spanning sectors including mobility, sustainability, technology, agriculture, defence, healthcare, manufacturing and education. The selected cohort brings together innovators from different regions, disciplines and professional backgrounds, with their ideas focused on addressing national challenges and building scalable enterprises. Vande Bharatam was launched on the premise that talent can emerge from any part of the country, even where access to opportunities and entrepreneurial networks may be limited.

Adani sees ‘possibilities of tomorrow’s Bharat’

Announcing the inaugural cohort, Gautam Adani said the innovators represented the potential of India’s future and stressed that opportunities should not be restricted by geography. “When I look at these innovators, I see the possibilities of tomorrow’s Bharat,” Adani said, adding that he hoped the first cohort would eventually produce founders and innovators whose enterprises would transform India. In a social media post, Adani also highlighted the scale of participation, describing the initiative as bringing together “26,000+ entries, limitless ambition” around the goal of building a self-reliant and innovative India.

Multi-stage evaluation process

The inaugural cohort was chosen following several stages of evaluation. The selected innovators will now participate in the ‘Vande Bharatam Immersive Week’. The programme will feature mentorship sessions and interactions with business leaders, entrepreneurs and experts, along with further rounds of evaluation.

Grand finale on August 14

The programme will culminate in the ‘Vande Bharatam Grand Finale’ on August 14, where the top innovators will be recognised and presented with the ‘Vande Bharatam Trophy’. The initiative has been designed to go beyond a conventional innovation competition. Its longer-term objective is to create a national platform capable of identifying promising ideas early and connecting innovators with mentors, industry leaders and institutions that can help accelerate their ventures.

Focus on grassroots entrepreneurship

Vande Bharatam aims particularly to expand access for innovators outside India’s established entrepreneurial centres. Selected participants are expected to receive mentorship, industry exposure, visibility and opportunities to turn their ideas into viable enterprises. According to the initiative, its underlying philosophy is that transformative ideas can emerge from anywhere in India and that promising innovators should have access to opportunities regardless of their geographical location.