Vande Bharatam Draws Strong Response After Outreach Across IITs, IIMs and NITs

Mumbai: Vande Bharatam, an initiative launched by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani to support innovation and entrepreneurship, has received a strong response following a nationwide outreach campaign conducted across premier educational institutions, including IITs, IIMs, NITs and leading universities.

According to the organisers, the campaign was carried out across 48 campuses in eight cities—Lucknow, Kanpur, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Patna, Kochi, Bhopal and Indore—and engaged more than 50,000 students in less than 10 days. The initiative has reported a steady increase in applications from students and young innovators following the outreach programme.

The campaign aimed to introduce students to the initiative and encourage participation through on-campus activities, including branded LED vans, promoter-led interactions, audiovisual presentations and QR code-based registration facilities. Applications have been received from nearly every campus covered during the outreach.

The initiative seeks to provide aspiring innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals with access to mentorship, incubation support and opportunities to interact with industry leaders. It is open to individuals with innovative ideas, prototypes, early-stage ventures and established businesses.

Speaking on the response, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, said educational institutions play a key role in shaping ideas, building confidence and encouraging innovation. He said the objective of Vande Bharatam is to provide innovators with opportunities to learn, grow and develop their ideas into practical solutions. He also expressed hope that more innovators from across the country would participate in the initiative.

The applications received so far represent participants from diverse backgrounds and different stages of innovation. Entries have been submitted across sectors including technology and artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture, education, sustainability, manufacturing, retail and consumer solutions.

Shortlisted participants will receive mentorship and incubation support before advancing to the national finale in Ahmedabad. At the final stage, participants will present their ideas before a jury, with the initiative aiming to support the development of promising innovations and strengthen India’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.