Gautam Adani launches Vande Bharatam to nurture grassroots innovators entrepreneurs

Gautam Adani launches Vande Bharatam to nurture grassroots innovators entrepreneurs

Ahmedabad June 25 IANS Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani Group on Thursday launched Vande Bharatam a national initiative to identify and support innovators entrepreneurs and problemsolvers from across IndianbspThe initiative launched to mark Gautam Adanis 64th birthday will reach all 36 states and union territories more than 800 districts and multiple Indian languagesnbspWhen 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 said Gautam AdaniIndia has built one of the worlds largest startup ecosystems yet most founders still emerge from a handful of cities Vande Bharatam is our effort to discover the innovators problemsolvers 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 the Adani Group Chairman notedThe 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 earlystage venture or established business A registered startup is not requiredEntries are invited from a wide range of sectors including technology manufacturing sustainability agriculture traditional crafts and communityled solutions Dedicated pathways will encourage participation from women entrepreneurs tribal entrepreneurs rural innovators Divyang entrepreneurs and communitybased innovators addressing local challenges according to the statementApplications 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 courseFollowing 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 crosssection of talent from across regions sectors and communitiesAccording to the statement 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 categorybased recognitions details of which will be announced at a later stageThe Grand Finale scheduled around Independence Day will mark the beginning of an ongoing engagement platform connecting participants with mentors investors industry leaders and fellow innovatorsIf I can do it any Indian can do it All they need is an opportunity and a stage Gautam Adani saidIndia today ranks among the worlds leading startup ecosystems Yet more than 80 per cent of startup founders continue to emerge from just five cities leaving many aspiring innovators without access to visibility mentorship and networksAs 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 statement mentionedIANS