IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026: Empowering Student Entrepreneurs

Discover how IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026 nurtures young entrepreneurs, fostering real-world business solutions through mentorship and innovation.

Bengaluru, 08 February 2026 – The IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026 student entrepreneurship program reached a landmark moment today as the Grand Finale unfolded at the prestigious IIM Bangalore campus. Led by students of the Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP), Prayaas has consistently focused on social responsibility while fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among high school students from Classes 10 to 12.

Over the course of a year, participants in this initiative worked tirelessly to develop and present real-world business solutions that blend creativity, practicality, and social impact. The Youth Udyami 2026 program exemplifies how early exposure to entrepreneurial thinking can empower young minds to address pressing societal challenges.

Grand Finale Highlights: Celebrating Young Innovators

The Grand Finale brought together several promising teams showcasing their entrepreneurial solutions. The esteemed jury comprised Mr. Debashish Chandel, EPGP alumnus 2015 and renowned entrepreneur; Mr. Naman Pandey, Head of Investments at Nucleo; and Mr. Saketh Ramakrishna, Founder of Quick Alpha and Co-founder of Optionables FinTech LLP.

Mr. Debashish Chandel remarked, “By choosing to solve real-world problems at this age, every participant has already taken a meaningful first step in their entrepreneurial journey.” This endorsement highlighted the maturity, confidence, and business acumen displayed by the student participants, signaling the immense potential of India’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

Team Mentorly Clinches the Top Spot

The coveted winner of Youth Udyami 2026 was Team Mentorly from Greenwood High International School. The team, consisting of Andrea Rosa Alen, Sanchi Jawaria, and Radhika Katti, presented an innovative digital mentorship platform designed to bridge gaps in academic and career guidance for students.

Their solution stood out for:

• Strong problem validation: Understanding student pain points in academic and career counseling.
• Scalable delivery model: Ensuring the platform could be adapted across different schools.
• Structured mentorship frameworks: Leveraging expert guidance to create actionable learning pathways.

The approach demonstrated a remarkable combination of social relevance and practical feasibility, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of both user needs and long-term societal impact. This aligns perfectly with the objectives of the IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026 student entrepreneurship program, which seeks to nurture passion-driven ideas into viable business ventures.

Runner-Up: Team BVM Global School

The Runner-Up title was awarded to Team BVM Global School, Bengaluru, represented by Ishaan Srivastava and R.S. Divya, for their innovative product, Vitabites – a vitamin-infused chewing gum aimed at improving daily nutrient intake.

The team impressed the jury with:

• Differentiated product concept: Unique, practical, and health-focused.
• Clear consumer value proposition: Simplifying daily nutrition intake for students and young consumers.
• Thoughtful market strategy: Understanding adoption patterns, usability, and market positioning.

This initiative highlighted how the EPGP Prayaas initiative encourages students to combine innovation with tangible impact, promoting entrepreneurship that directly benefits communities.

Expert Insights and Leadership Messages

Prof. Amar Sapra

Prof. Amar Sapra, Chairperson of EPGP, addressed the audience, commending participants for their perseverance and creativity. He emphasized the journey of entrepreneurship as a continual learning process, highlighting that successful ventures are built on:

• Iterative refinement of products
• Responsiveness to market realities
• Incorporation of user feedback

Prof. Sapra also lauded the efforts of mentors and the Prayaas team for creating a supportive environment that encourages young innovators to thrive.

Prof. Haritha Saranga

Prof. Haritha Saranga, Chairperson of the Sustainability Taskforce at IIM Bangalore, praised the initiative for promoting student-led solutions addressing societal challenges. She shared three principles for long-term success:

1. Pursue work with passion and purpose.
2. Cultivate focus by managing distractions.
3. Maintain physical and mental well-being.

Her remarks resonated with the theme of Youth Udyami 2026 – “Passion to Profit”, motivating students to balance ambition with discipline and resilience.

Other Finalists Making an Impact

Several other teams showcased impactful solutions:

• Team Khwaish (National Public School, Jeya Malhotra) – Developed structured learning kits and digital support modules for vocational training of children with intellectual disabilities.
• Team PSBE (Presidency School, Hariharan M, Aditya Walia, Aradhya Roy) – Introduced an on-site food waste dehydrating system to promote safe and sustainable reuse.
• Team LooVana (Podar International School, Tanvi Khodanapur, Shravani S.H.) – Proposed innovations to enhance accessibility and hygiene in public washrooms.
• Team Bloom (National Public School, Dhruv Mathur, Kavin Geofrey) – Focused on innovation-driven ventures addressing contemporary youth and community needs.

These initiatives exemplify how the EPGP Prayaas initiative high school entrepreneurship mentoring India empowers students to create solutions with real-world applications, emphasizing social responsibility alongside business viability.

Role of Prayaas in Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs

Launched by IIM Bangalore EPGP students, Prayaas is a student-led social impact entrepreneurship programme aimed at developing entrepreneurial thinking among high school students. By connecting learners with mentors, industry experts, and structured evaluation processes, the program enables participants to:

• Translate ideas into actionable business models
• Enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Gain hands-on experience in planning, strategy, and execution

The initiative not only cultivates entrepreneurial skills but also fosters a sense of responsibility, encouraging students to address societal challenges with practical solutions.

Innovative Mentorship and Learning Framework

Prayaas focuses on mentorship-driven learning, combining guidance from EPGP students, industry experts, and faculty members. Key components of the program include:

• Workshops and bootcamps for idea validation and product development
• Mentorship sessions to provide insights into practical business challenges
• Pitch events to assess market viability and presentation skills
• Community outreach projects to test solutions in real-world contexts

Such a comprehensive approach ensures participants experience the full spectrum of entrepreneurship, from ideation to market-ready solutions, making it a benchmark program for youth entrepreneurship initiatives in India.

Importance of Early Exposure to Entrepreneurship

Research shows that students exposed to entrepreneurship at a young age are more likely to:

• Develop leadership and decision-making skills
• Exhibit higher problem-solving aptitude
• Approach challenges with resilience and innovation

Programs like IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026 are crucial in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application, nurturing a new generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs.

Community Engagement and Social Impact

One of the defining features of the Youth Udyami program is its emphasis on social impact. Participants are encouraged to:

• Address challenges relevant to their communities
• Design solutions that are inclusive and scalable
• Focus on long-term sustainability and ethics

This aligns with IIM Bangalore’s vision of leveraging education to create meaningful societal change, positioning students not only as innovators but also as responsible citizens.

Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Rajasilpi SP, EPGP ‘26, who acknowledged the contribution of faculty, mentors, judges, and student organizers. A short video showcased the year-long journey of Prayaas, emphasizing community engagement, mentorship, and student-led innovation.

The success of Youth Udyami 2026 signals the continued growth of initiatives that cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, positioning India’s youth to solve pressing societal and business challenges. As students convert passion-driven ideas into practical ventures, programs like Prayaas set the stage for a future where innovation, social impact, and entrepreneurship converge.

Internal & External Resource Links for Students

For students seeking additional learning and entrepreneurship resources:

• NCERT Courses: Explore structured learning paths here
• Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs
• Notes & Study Materials: Access free notes
• MCQs: Test knowledge with MCQs
• Videos: Watch educational content here
• Syllabus: Check academic syllabus here
• Free NCERT PDFs & Mind Maps: Download here
• Schools Contact & Partnerships: Mart India Infotech

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FAQs on IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026

1. What is the IIM Bangalore Prayaas Youth Udyami 2026 student entrepreneurship program?
   A year-long initiative by EPGP students that encourages high school students to develop entrepreneurial solutions.
2. Who can participate in the Youth Udyami 2026 program?
   Students from Classes 10 to 12 across India.
3. What are some winning projects from Youth Udyami 2026?
   Team Mentorly’s digital mentorship platform and Team BVM Global School’s Vitabites vitamin gum.
4. How does Prayaas support high school entrepreneurship mentoring India?
   Through workshops, mentorship sessions, pitch events, and real-world validation.
5. What is the main theme of Youth Udyami 2026?
   “Passion to Profit,” emphasizing turning ideas into viable business solutions.
6. Who were the jury members for the Grand Finale?
   Mr. Debashish Chandel, Mr. Naman Pandey, and Mr. Saketh Ramakrishna.
7. What skills do participants gain from the Prayaas program?
   Problem-solving, innovation, leadership, business strategy, and social responsibility.
8. How does the program ensure social impact?
   By encouraging solutions that address community challenges and are scalable.
9. Where can students access resources related to entrepreneurship programs?
   Through internal links like NCERT Courses, Notes, MCQs, and external sources like Mart India Infotech.
10. Why is early entrepreneurship exposure important for students?
    It fosters creativity, resilience, leadership skills, and prepares them for real-world problem-solving.