New Delhi: In a major push to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, the Adani Group has launched Adani Vande Bharatam, a nationwide initiative to identify, mentor, and support entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers from every corner of the country.

Announced by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on his 64th birthday, the programme seeks to bridge the opportunity gap for founders outside India’s major startup hubs. The initiative will cover all 36 States and Union Territories and more than 800 districts, making it one of the country’s largest entrepreneurial outreach programmes. Applications opened on June 24 through the programme’s dedicated website.

The initiative reflects the growing need to support innovators from Tier II, Tier III, and rural India, where entrepreneurial talent is expanding rapidly but access to funding, mentorship, and incubation remains limited.

What Is Adani Vande Bharatam?

A National Platform for Entrepreneurs Beyond Metro Cities

Adani Vande Bharatam is designed to provide promising entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, investor networks, incubation support, industry partnerships, and business guidance.

Unlike many startup programmes that focus only on technology ventures, Adani Vande Bharatam welcomes ideas from a broad range of sectors. Individuals can apply with:

• A business idea
• A prototype
• An early-stage startup
• An established business

The programme is open to people of all ages, educational backgrounds, and professions.

Programme Covers Every Region of India

More Than 800 Districts Included

The Adani Group plans to take the initiative to every part of India. According to the company, the programme will operate across:

• 36 States and Union Territories
• More than 800 districts
• Multiple Indian languages

This wide reach aims to ensure that entrepreneurs from small towns, villages, and emerging business centres receive equal opportunities to showcase their ideas.

Who Can Apply?

Entrepreneurs from Every Stage Are Welcome

One of the biggest strengths of Adani Vande Bharatam is its inclusive approach.

Applicants may belong to any profession or age group. They can participate whether they have only an idea or already run a successful enterprise.

The programme accepts innovations from sectors such as:

Manufacturing

Industrial products, engineering, automation, and production technologies.

Agriculture

Agri-tech solutions, food processing, farm innovation, and rural enterprises.

Sustainability

Clean energy, recycling, climate technology, water conservation, and green businesses.

Traditional Crafts

Handloom, handicrafts, artisan products, and indigenous industries.

Community-Led Innovation

Solutions that improve healthcare, education, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and rural development.

This broad eligibility makes the initiative accessible to innovators from diverse backgrounds.

Selection Process

75 Finalists Will Receive National-Level Support

The programme follows a multi-stage evaluation process.

After state and regional rounds, 75 finalists will be selected and invited to Ahmedabad for an intensive development programme.

During this stage, participants will receive:

• One-on-one mentorship
• Investor interactions
• Industry networking
• Business strategy sessions
• Incubation support
• Strategic partnerships
• Exposure to leading entrepreneurs

The programme will conclude with a Grand Finale around Independence Day, where finalists will present their ideas before investors and business leaders. Prize money and category-wise recognitions will also be announced.

Gautam Adani Shares the Vision Behind the Initiative

Opportunity Should Reach Every Indian

Launching the programme, Gautam Adani said India’s entrepreneurial talent exists in every region, but opportunities have not always reached everyone equally.

He noted that while India has built one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, most founders still emerge from a handful of cities.

Through Adani Vande Bharatam, the Group wants to discover talented innovators whose ideas deserve national recognition and long-term support.

Why This Initiative Matters

India’s Startup Ecosystem Is Expanding Beyond Metro Cities

India’s startup landscape has changed significantly over the past decade.

According to government data, the country now has more than two lakh DPIIT-recognised startups, creating over 21 lakh direct jobs. More than half of these recognised startups now come from Tier II and Tier III cities, showing that entrepreneurship is spreading rapidly beyond traditional startup hubs.

However, experts believe access to funding, mentorship, incubators, and investor networks remains concentrated in major cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Adani Vande Bharatam aims to reduce this gap by connecting talented founders from underserved regions with experienced mentors and investors.

How Adani Vande Bharatam Can Benefit India’s Economy

Boosting Innovation, Jobs and Inclusive Growth

If successful, the initiative could deliver several long-term benefits.

Stronger Regional Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs from smaller towns will gain national exposure.

Better Access to Capital

Founders will connect directly with investors and strategic partners.

Increased Employment

New startups and expanding businesses could generate thousands of jobs.

Innovation Across Industries

Support will extend beyond technology to agriculture, manufacturing, sustainability, crafts, and social innovation.

Inclusive Economic Growth

The programme aligns with India’s vision of creating balanced economic development across urban and rural regions.

A Step Towards India’s Entrepreneurial Future

Building the Next Generation of Business Leaders

Adani Vande Bharatam represents more than a startup competition. It is a nationwide effort to identify hidden entrepreneurial talent and transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.

By combining mentorship, incubation, investor access, and strategic partnerships, the initiative aims to create opportunities for founders regardless of where they live.

As India’s startup ecosystem continues to expand, programmes like Adani Vande Bharatam could play a key role in ensuring that innovation is not limited to a few metropolitan cities but reaches every district of the country.

With applications now open, aspiring entrepreneurs across India have an opportunity to turn their ideas into scalable businesses and contribute to the nation’s next phase of economic growth.

Also Read : Uttar Pradesh Investment Summit : ₹50,000 Crore MoUs Signed During CM Yogi Adityanath’s Bengaluru Roadshow