Vande Bharatam
Vande Bharatam is a national innovation movement by Gautam Adani, discovering and empowering India's next generation of innovators with a multi-crore prize pool, mentorship, and visibility.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Adani Group (corporate)
- Application deadline
- Closes in 4d (19 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Vande Bharatam is a nationwide movement spearheaded by Gautam Adani, aimed at discovering and empowering India's next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. The program focuses on identifying emerging ventures from regions often overlooked by conventional startup ecosystems, providing them with visibility, support, and momentum. It stands on four core pillars: Be Local, Think Global; Grassroots First; Build for Bharat; and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The initiative welcomes participants from all ages and fields, from the ideation phase to scaling ventures. Special categories include Women Entrepreneurs, Tribal Innovators, Rural Changemakers, Sustainable Innovation, and Divyang Entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusive growth.
Highlights
- Multi-crore prize pool
- 75 National Finalists, 10 Winners
- Mentorship from Adani leadership
- Investor and industry access
- Incubation support for scale
- National spotlight and visibility
Who can apply
Open to innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages and fields across India, from early-stage ideas to scalable ventures. Individual innovators, startups, institutions, incubators, colleges, as well as NRI and overseas startups focused on Indian challenges are welcome. There are no restrictions on company age or prior funding.
Vande Bharatam is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Applications for Vande Bharatam are open and the current deadline is Closes in 4d (19 Jul 2026). Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
Winners receive a share of the multi-crore prize pool. Beyond funding, they gain mentorship from the Adani leadership team, business leaders, and domain experts. The program provides investor and industry access, opening doors to potential partners and strategic collaborations. Comprehensive incubation support offers structured guidance to transform ideas into scalable businesses.
About the provider
Vande Bharatam is offered by Adani Group, a corporate programme. It is delivered directly by Adani Group as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications are screened by a selection committee based on innovativeness, potential impact, scalability, and alignment with the program's vision. From all submissions, 75 National Finalists are selected. These finalists participate in a 'Finalist Week' with mentorship, bootcamps, and presentations. The process culminates in a Grand Finale where finalists pitch live to a jury including Mr. Gautam Adani, and 10 winners are chosen.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Vande Bharatam, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for Vande Bharatam?
The program is open to innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages and from all fields. This includes individual innovators, startups, institutions, incubators, and colleges. NRI and overseas startups with solutions relevant to India are also welcome. There are no restrictions on company age or prior funding.
What is the application deadline?
Applications open on June 24, 2026, and close on July 19, 2026. National Finalists will be announced by July 31, 2026.
How much funding does the winner receive?
Winners receive a share of a multi-crore prize pool. The exact amount may vary based on the number of winners and the pool size.
Does the program take equity?
No, this is a competition with a cash prize, not an equity investment. No equity is taken from winners.
What are the selection criteria?
Applications are evaluated based on innovativeness, potential impact, scalability, and alignment with the program's vision. The selection committee includes experts and leaders.
Is there any registration fee?
The provided information does not mention any registration fee. Typically, such national challenges are free to apply. Confirm on the application portal.
What support is provided beyond cash?
Winners receive mentorship from Adani leadership, access to investors and industry, incubation support, and national visibility across media platforms.
Are there any specific categories for special groups?
Yes, special categories include Women Entrepreneurs, Tribal Innovators, Rural Changemakers, Sustainable Innovation, and Divyang Entrepreneurs to ensure inclusive participation.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Vande Bharatam?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Vande Bharatam, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers Vande Bharatam?
Vande Bharatam is offered by Adani Group, a corporate programme. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Vande Bharatam?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Vande Bharatam
Not sure Vande Bharatam is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
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