Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Saturday announced the inaugural cohort of Vande Bharatam, a national initiative to identify and support innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers across India.
In a post on the social media platform X, Adani wrote, "Proud to announce the inaugural cohort of #vandebharatam
26,000+ entries, limitless ambition and one shared dream - building a self-reliant, innovative Bharat."
The initiative received applications from every state and union territory across the country, with ideas spanning mobility, sustainability, technology, agriculture, defence, healthcare, manufacturing, education and other sectors. The cohort seeks to bring innovators from various regions, disciplines and backgrounds, with the ambition to solve India's problems, build nation-building enterprises and create nationwide impact, the company said in a release on Saturday.
Build on the notion that "talent is everywhere, even when opportunity is not", Vande Bharatam seeks to connect innovators with top mentors, industry leaders, visibility and opportunities, to turn ideas into meaningful enterprises.
Addressing the launch of the first cohort, Gautam Adani said, “When I look at these innovators, I see the possibilities of tomorrow's Bharat. Talent has no city limits and opportunity should not have them either. Years from now, I hope we will look back at this first cohort and see among them the founders and innovators who went on to build enterprises that transformed Bharat. This is their initial chapter. And it is Vande Bharatam's first chapter too.”
The candidates were selected through a multi-stage evaluation process, with the first cohort to take part in Vande Bharatam Immersive Week, which will include mentorship sessions, interactions with business leaders, entrepreneurs and experts, and successive rounds of evaluation. The initiative will culminate in the Vande Bharatam Grand Finale on August 14, where outstanding innovators will be recognised and presented with the Vande Bharatam Trophy.
Vande Bharatam is a nationwide grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship initiative launched by Gautam Adani, on the occasion of his 64th birthday. The program seeks to identify promising innovators across India and connects them with mentorship, industry access, visibility and opportunities to build meaningful nation-building enterprises.
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