The national platform gives young innovators hands-on learning, mentorship from ISRO scientists, and international exposure, fostering practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence across Indian schools.
Delhi/Bengaluru | January 15, 2026
The Next-Gen Founders Grand Finale, organised by YuviPep, brought together school students from Bengaluru and other Indian states for a unique showcase of innovation and problem-solving. The event offered participants a rare opportunity to present their ideas directly to senior ISRO scientists and industry leaders, allowing their solutions to be evaluated for real-world relevance, clarity, and execution.
Around 100 students, grouped into 50 teams, presented practical solutions addressing sustainability, health, urban challenges, education, and social impact. The participation of students from multiple states highlighted the programme’s expanding national footprint. Mentors from YuviPep guided each team throughout preparation and presentation, ensuring a smooth, professional finale with no technical glitches or execution lapses.
The jury panel featured eminent figures from India’s space, technology, and innovation sectors, including Padma Shri awardee and cryogenic rocketry expert V. Gnana Gandhi, former ISRO Director R. S. Bhatia, former ISRO Scientist Sreenivasa Prasad K, former ISRO Satellite Centre Group Director M. S. Srinivasan, Amit Jain, Vice President – Engineering at Telaverge Communications Pvt Ltd, and global innovation advisor Ramesh V. Ram.
Unlike conventional student competitions, the Next-Gen Founders programme prioritised learning through iteration, disciplined execution, and decision-making. Teams explained their problem statements, technical trade-offs, and design choices, while reflecting on challenges faced and improvements made from feedback. This approach offered students a real-world understanding of innovation as a structured, accountable process.
Commenting on the students’ performances, V. Gnana Gandhi said, “The seriousness with which students addressed real-world problems was remarkable. Such early exposure nurtures the mindset needed for complex engineering challenges and national projects.” M. S. Srinivasan added, “The discipline and ownership demonstrated by students are commendable and form the foundation for turning ideas into reliable systems.” R. S. Bhatia noted, “Innovation succeeds when planning and execution go hand in hand; this platform gives students a first-hand experience of refining ideas.”
The competition was held in two structured rounds. In the first, all teams presented to the jury, after which the top 10 teams were selected for one-on-one mentorship sessions. The remaining teams advanced to a second round where positions 11 to 25 were decided based on a combination of jury scores, stage-wise performance, and audience votes—mirroring real-world decision-making environments.
The finale recognised leading teams including Greener Bengaluru, Stress and Posture Buddy, and Sensible Headphones. The winning team received a fully sponsored international learning experience in Singapore, while top teams shared a cash prize pool of ₹3 lakh.
John, a participant from St Patrick’s School, Kerala, said, “This platform allows students nationwide to gain meaningful exposure. The event was well organised, feedback was valuable, and the environment encouraged confident presentation. It sets a high benchmark for future editions.”
Through structured mentoring, industry interactions, and exposure to global practices, YuviPep continues to foster innovation, critical thinking, and confidence among young students across India.
