Vande Bharatam, Adani Group’s nationwide innovation movement, has crossed the milestone of 25,000 applications, prompting the Group to extend the last date for entries to July 30, 2026.
As part of its nationwide outreach, representatives of the Adani Group met Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Puducherry, Odisha, Assam, Telangana, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Haryana. During the meetings, each leader was presented with a Vande Bharatam kit comprising a memento in the respective state’s language carrying a personal appeal, along with a letter from Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group.
The outreach aims to ensure that aspiring innovators from every State and Union Territory are aware of the opportunity and encouraged to participate. Discussions with state leaders focused on strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship by enabling young talent to access mentorship, industry exposure and a national platform to transform ideas into successful ventures. Leaders welcomed the initiative and acknowledged its potential to strengthen local innovation ecosystems.
Launched on June 25, 2026, Vande Bharatam seeks to bridge a significant gap in India’s startup ecosystem, where more than 80% of startup founders come from just five cities, leaving talent from hundreds of districts untapped. The programme is open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and participants do not need a registered startup to apply—only an innovative idea and the determination to pursue it. Seventy-five finalists selected through a multi-stage evaluation process will participate in an intensive mentorship programme in Ahmedabad, receive investor access and compete at the Grand Finale around Independence Day.
Commenting on the response, Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, said, “The response to Vande Bharatam has moved me deeply. Crossing 25,000 applications is not just a number, it is proof of the extraordinary talent and ambition that exists in every corner of Bharat and beyond, waiting for the right platform. The support extended by Chief Ministers across the country reaffirms that when government and industry come together, we can unlock opportunity for every young innovator, regardless of where they come from.”
With applications continuing to pour in from across sectors, states, countries and social backgrounds, the extension until July 30 is expected to enable even more aspiring innovators to participate in the initiative.
