Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, has launched Vande Bharatam, a nationwide movement aimed at discovering innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers from across India. The announcement was made on his 64th birthday.
The initiative is designed to take the search for entrepreneurial talent beyond India’s familiar start-up hubs. Vande Bharatam will cover all 36 States and Union Territories and more than 800 districts, with the goal of identifying promising ideas, practical innovations and ventures that can create economic and social impact.
At the heart of the programme is a clear gap. India has built a large start-up ecosystem, but access to visibility, mentorship and networks remains uneven, especially for people working outside major urban centres. Vande Bharatam seeks to widen that access by giving a national platform to talent from metropolitan cities, emerging cities, towns and rural communities.
The programme is open to anyone with an idea, innovation, solution or entrepreneurial ambition. Applicants can participate with a concept, prototype, early-stage venture or established business.
Entries have been invited from sectors including technology and manufacturing. The initiative also aims to encourage participation from women entrepreneurs, tribal entrepreneurs and rural innovators.
Applications will go through a structured evaluation process. The assessment will focus on innovation, entrepreneurial potential, impact and team composition. Details on the jury and later selection stages will be announced in due course.
Following state and regional evaluations, 75 finalists will be invited to Ahmedabad for Independence Day. The finalists are expected to represent a broad mix of regions, sectors and entrepreneurial journeys.
Speaking at the launch, Gautam Adani linked the initiative to the need for opportunity to reach every part of the country. He said India does not lack talent, but many innovators and entrepreneurs still need recognition, support and a larger platform.
Vande Bharatam is being positioned around India’s larger development goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. By focusing on grassroots innovators, the movement goes beyond a conventional start-up search. It looks at people solving local problems, building practical solutions and creating value in places that often remain outside the national spotlight.
For India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the initiative could help bring lesser-seen ideas into wider view. For participants, it offers a chance to be seen, evaluated and connected with a larger platform.
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