Editor’s Synopsis
Ahmedabad, 25 June 2026: Marking his 64th birthday, Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, today launched Vande Bharatam, a national initiative to identify and support innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers from across India.
The programme will reach all 36 States and Union Territories, more than 800 districts and multiple Indian languages. Open to participants of all ages and backgrounds, it aims to bring promising ideas and entrepreneurial talent from beyond India's traditional start-up centres onto a national platform.
India today ranks among the world's leading start-up ecosystems. Yet more than 80 per cent of start-up founders continue to emerge from just five cities, leaving many aspiring innovators without access to visibility, mentorship and networks.
Vande Bharatam seeks to widen that access. From metropolitan centres and emerging cities to small towns and rural communities, the initiative will look for individuals with ideas, solutions and enterprises capable of creating economic and social impact.
As India advances towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, expanding participation in entrepreneurship and innovation will be critical to driving economic growth, creating jobs and solving local challenges.
The initiative is open to anyone with an idea, innovation, solution or entrepreneurial ambition, irrespective of age, profession, educational background or stage of development. Participants may apply with a concept, prototype, early-stage venture or established business. A registered start-up is not required.
Entries are invited from a wide range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, sustainability, agriculture, traditional crafts and community-led solutions. Dedicated pathways will encourage participation from women entrepreneurs, tribal entrepreneurs, rural innovators, Divyang entrepreneurs and community-based innovators addressing local challenges.
Applications will undergo a structured evaluation process focused on innovation, entrepreneurial potential, impact and scalability. Additional details relating to assessment criteria, jury composition and selection stages will be announced in due course.
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.
Launching the initiative, Mr Gautam Adani said: “When I began my journey, I had nothing. Everything I am and everything I have achieved was given to me by the soil of Bharat. There is no shortage of talent in our nation, but opportunity has not always reached every corner of the country.
India has built one of the world's largest start-up ecosystems, yet most founders still emerge from a handful of cities. Vande Bharatam is our effort to discover the innovators, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs whose ideas deserve recognition, support and a larger platform. We invite every Indian with the courage to build and the determination to create to come forward and participate.”
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 Independence Day, will mark the beginning of an ongoing engagement platform connecting participants with mentors, investors, industry leaders and fellow innovators.
“If I can do it, any Indian can do it. All they need is an opportunity and a stage,” Mr Adani added.
With outreach extending across every State and Union Territory, more than 800 districts and the global Indian diaspora, Vande Bharatam aims to become one of India's broadest platforms for entrepreneurial discovery and innovation.
Applications opened on June 24 at vandebharatam.org.
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.
For media queries: Roy Paul roy.paul@adani.com
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