Gujarat-based construction technology startup MiCoB has emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural season of Vande Bharatam, taking home ₹50 lakh at the initiative’s Grand Finale on September 19. The season also saw 12 startups secure investment commitments totalling ₹50 crore, with MiCoB accounting for the largest individual commitment.
Launched by Gautam Adani, Vande Bharatam is a nationwide initiative aimed at discovering grassroots innovators and entrepreneurs across India’s states and Union territories. Its first season brought together startups from different sectors, offering them a platform to present their businesses to investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
MiCoB’s victory adds to the ₹30 crore investment commitment it had already secured from Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy and Renee Cosmetics founder Ashutosh Valani, at a pre-money valuation of ₹110 crore.
The initiative described the ₹30 crore commitment as the largest single investment commitment in Indian television history.
MiCoB Leads Vande Bharatam’s Grand Finale
The Grand Finale recognised 10 startups across five overall positions and five special categories, with a combined prize pool of ₹1.95 crore.
MiCoB secured the top position and received ₹50 lakh. Bhaumya Innovations Private Limited finished second with ₹30 lakh, while Ambiator Private Limited took third place with ₹25 lakh.
Genrobotic Innovations Pvt Ltd secured the fourth position, receiving ₹20 lakh, followed by SpaceFields Pvt Ltd in fifth place with ₹15 lakh.
The five special-category awards carried a prize of ₹11 lakh each. Kaiteki Innovations Private Limited and Freedom Wheels Mobility Solutions Private Limited were recognised under the Divyang category.
Humble Bee, operated by Buzzworthy Ventures Private Limited, received the Women category award. XLEAP Care Private Limited won in Sustainability, while Frontier Markets Consulting Pvt Ltd was recognised in the Rural category.
54 Startups Pitched Across 10 Episodes
Across 10 episodes, 54 finalist startups presented their businesses to the initiative’s panel of investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Of these, 44 startups received some form of support during the season. This included investment commitments, mentorship, networking opportunities, introductions, pilot opportunities and the programme’s ‘Vande Wings’ recognition.
Mentors made monetary commitments totalling ₹50 crore across 12 startups. MiCoB’s ₹30 crore commitment formed a significant share of that amount.
Beyond financial backing, 19 startups received Vande Wings recognition. The initiative also extended mentorship, networking and pilot opportunities across its finalist pool, creating avenues for entrepreneurs to access support beyond the competition itself.
Gautam Adani Highlights Entrepreneurial Talent Beyond Major Cities
Vande Bharatam was launched with the aim of identifying entrepreneurial talent across India, particularly among founders and innovators operating beyond the country’s major business centres.
Commenting on the conclusion of the inaugural season, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said the initiative was designed to showcase the depth of India’s entrepreneurial talent beyond its largest cities.
“Vande Bharatam was never about a single winner. It was about proving that India’s next generation of builders exists in every corner of this country, not just its big cities,” Adani said.
The initiative is hosted by actor and television presenter Rajeev Khandelwal, who serves as its ambassador and host.
Vande Bharatam Looks Beyond One-Time Funding
While the ₹50 crore in investment commitments and the Grand Finale’s prize money marked key outcomes of the inaugural season, Vande Bharatam’s stated objective extends beyond immediate financial support.
The programme is designed to connect startups with mentorship, industry networks, pilot opportunities and other forms of entrepreneurial assistance.
With 44 startups receiving support during the season, the initiative’s first edition brought together funding and non-financial opportunities under a single platform.
MiCoB’s ₹50 lakh win capped the inaugural season, while the wider set of investment commitments and support opportunities highlighted the programme’s broader focus on entrepreneurs from across India.
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