The grand finale provided Indian school students a national platform to showcase innovative solutions, gain global mentorship, and engage directly with ISRO leaders and industry experts.
Delhi/Bengaluru | January 15, 2026
YuviPep successfully hosted the Next-Gen Founders Grand Finale, bringing together school innovators from Bengaluru and several other states, offering them a national platform to present their ideas, gain practical feedback, and interact with senior ISRO scientists and industry leaders.
Over 100 students, organised into 50 teams, showcased solutions addressing real-world challenges in sustainability, healthcare, urban development, education, and social impact. Participation from multiple states beyond Karnataka highlighted the programme’s growing national presence. Each team received extensive guidance from YuviPep mentors, ensuring smooth presentations and robust project execution.
The jury featured distinguished figures from India’s space, technology, and innovation ecosystem, including Padma Shri awardee V. Gnana Gandhi (cryogenic rocketry expert), former ISRO Director (Programme Planning) R. S. Bhatia, former ISRO Scientist and Power Systems Division Head Sreenivasa Prasad K, former ISRO Satellite Centre Group Director M. S. Srinivasan, Amit Jain (VP Engineering, Telaverge Communications), and global venture advisor Ramesh V. Ram.
Unlike traditional competitions, the Next-Gen Founders programme focused on disciplined innovation, iterative learning, and practical execution. Teams articulated problem statements, design decisions, and technical trade-offs, explained challenges they encountered, and described how feedback improved their solutions. The process allowed students to experience innovation as a structured and accountable journey.
Reflecting on the presentations, V. Gnana Gandhi remarked, “The seriousness with which students approached complex problems was remarkable. Early exposure like this cultivates the mindset required for national missions and advanced engineering projects.”
M. S. Srinivasan praised students’ ownership and discipline, noting that these habits transform ideas into reliable systems. R. S. Bhatia added, “Innovation succeeds when planning and execution align. This platform gives students a real sense of the review process and refinement of ideas.”
The competition featured two structured rounds. The first round had all teams present to the jury, with the top 10 advancing to one-on-one mentorship sessions. Remaining teams competed in the second round for the next 15 positions, evaluated through a combination of jury scores, phased performance, and audience voting, simulating real-world decision-making.
Top-performing teams, including Greener Bengaluru, Stress and Posture Buddy, and Sensible Headphones, were honoured at the conclusion. The winning team received a fully sponsored international learning experience in Singapore, while other top teams shared a cash prize pool of ₹3 lakh.
John, a student from St Patrick’s School, Kerala, said, “This competition gave students from other states a meaningful opportunity to participate, gain feedback, and confidently present their ideas. The well-organised platform sets a high standard for future editions.”
By linking school students with ISRO leaders, industry experts, and a structured mentoring ecosystem, YuviPep continues to foster innovation, critical thinking, and practical skills among young learners nationwide.
