The event provided school students nationwide a platform for real-world innovation, mentorship from global experts, and exposure to structured problem-solving, fostering creativity, technical skills, and execution capabilities.
Delhi/Bengaluru | January 15, 2026
The YuviPep Next-Gen Founders Grand Finale brought together school innovators from Bengaluru and multiple states across India, offering a unique platform to showcase creative solutions and engage directly with senior ISRO scientists and industry leaders. The event highlighted practical innovation, disciplined execution, and real-world problem-solving among young learners.
Fifty teams, comprising nearly 100 students, presented projects addressing challenges in sustainability, urban living, health, education, and social impact. Participants from outside Karnataka demonstrated the programme’s national reach, while YuviPep mentors provided continuous guidance, ensuring every team could present their solutions seamlessly without technical or execution issues.
The jury included distinguished leaders from India’s space and technology sectors: Padma Shri awardee V. Gnana Gandhi, former ISRO Director (Programme Planning) R. S. Bhatia, former ISRO Scientist Sreenivasa Prasad K, former ISRO Satellite Centre Group Director M. S. Srinivasan, Amit Jain (VP – Engineering, Telaverge Communications), and global venture and innovation advisor Ramesh V. Ram.
Distinct from traditional competitions, the programme emphasised iterative learning, decision-making, and applied problem-solving. Students explained their design choices, technical trade-offs, and challenges faced, showcasing how feedback improved their solutions, instilling a sense of structured innovation and accountability.
Reflecting on the student presentations, V. Gnana Gandhi noted, “The seriousness with which students approached real-world challenges was impressive, laying the foundation for future complex engineering projects.” M. S. Srinivasan added, “The ownership and discipline displayed by students will help turn ideas into reliable solutions.” R. S. Bhatia highlighted, “Successful innovation requires planning and execution; this platform gives students firsthand experience of refining ideas.”
The competition featured two rounds: an initial jury evaluation for all teams, followed by one-on-one sessions with the top 10 teams. The remaining teams competed in a second phase, with results determined through combined jury scores, stage-wise performance, and audience voting, replicating real-world decision-making environments.
The event concluded with awards for top teams, including Greener Bengaluru, Stress and Posture Buddy, and Sensible Headphones. Winners received a fully sponsored international learning experience in Singapore, while the top teams shared a total cash prize of â‚ą3 lakh.
John, a student from St Patrick’s School, Kerala, said, “This programme provides an ideal platform for students nationwide to gain exposure and confidence. Feedback was constructive, and the environment encouraged meaningful learning, setting a high standard for future editions.”
By connecting school innovators with ISRO scientists, industry experts, and a structured mentoring ecosystem, YuviPep continues to nurture practical innovation skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence among young learners across India.
