New
Delhi : Recognising
the transformative power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship in addressing some
of society's most pressing challenges, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation (JBF)
and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a sister
organisation of the World Economic Forum, today honoured Ms. Nidhi Pant, Co-Founder
of Science For Society Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. (S4S) Technologies, as the
recipient of the 17th Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY)
Award India 2026.
The
prestigious award was presented at a ceremony in New Delhi in the distinguished
presence of Shri N K Singh, Former Member, Rajya Sabha, and Former Chairman,
15th Finance Commission, Government of India, who graced the
event as the Chief Guest. The event brought together leaders from government,
business, academia, philanthropy, civil society, and the social innovation
ecosystem to celebrate entrepreneurs creating sustainable, scalable, and
transformative social impact.
This
year’s winner, Ms. Nidhi Pant, has been recognised for developing
sustainable biotechnology solutions that convert waste into bio-based products
and eco-friendly agricultural inputs. She also sets up farm factory right at
the farmer’s field. Her work through S4S Technologies is helping
smallholder women farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices, improve
livelihoods and create greater economic opportunities, while advancing circular
economy approaches to waste management.
The
finalists collectively represent pioneering efforts across sectors including
healthcare, education, agriculture, livelihoods, financial inclusion, climate
resilience, women empowerment, and technology-enabled development. Their work
demonstrates how innovative solutions rooted in local realities can deliver
measurable and lasting impact at scale.
Addressing
the gathering, Shri N K Singh highlighted the critical role of social
entrepreneurs in India's development journey and emphasized the importance of
creating enabling ecosystems that allow innovative solutions to scale.
“This
is an admirable venture to award, recognise the diversity of people who have
made a difference in their lives, transcending all the barriers to make a more
wholesome society. All these are celebrations of change, of innovation ushering
a better future. The five people whom we have awarded today are examples of
unreasonable people who have sought to change the world in their multiple ways.
We need to inspire trust in society to accept both success and not to
stigmatise failure, and dramatically enhance the capability of research and
development so that the five people whom we have awarded today can be
multiplied in multiple ways. My congratulations to all the finalists and my
gratitude to this foundation for nurturing this journey, which began 17 years
ago, and has a great, exciting future ahead of it,” he said.
Sharing
their congratulations, Dr François Bonnici, Director, Schwab Foundation for
Social Entrepreneurship Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum
said:
“For
seventeen years, our partnership with the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation has
celebrated remarkable individuals who are challenging established norms and
creating new pathways for inclusion, opportunity, and resilience. This year's
finalists exemplify the power of social entrepreneurship to address complex
societal challenges through innovation, collaboration, and systems-level
thinking. Their work offers valuable lessons not only for India but for the
wider global community.”
Congratulating
the winner and finalists, Mr Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman and Founder, Jubilant
Bhartia Group and Founder Director, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation said, “The
17th edition of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award brings together
a community united by a common purpose to create meaningful, sustainable and
lasting social impact. Over the past 17 years, our partnership with the Schwab
Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has helped recognise and amplify the
work of remarkable social entrepreneurs across India. This year’s finalists
embody the courage, persistence and innovation required to turn a vision into
transformative change. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the
promise of what lies ahead.”
During
the vote of thanks, Ms Aashti Bhartia, Director, Jubilant Ingrevia and Non-Executive
Director, Jubilant FoodWorks, said, “The Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Award gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it truly takes to create
change. Beyond ideas, technology and resources, it takes the courage to look at
long-standing challenges differently, along with the conviction to begin and
the resilience to continue. All our finalists this year have demonstrated
incredible conviction and resilience, with a determination to make an impact
across healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and inclusion. The award is
more than about picking a winner; it is about shining a light on what is
possible. Our finalists have shown us that and inspired us.”
The
event was also attended by renowned social entrepreneur, Ms. Chetna Gala,
Founder, Mann Desh Mahila Bank.
For
the past seventeen years, the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award has
recognised visionary leaders demonstrating exceptional commitment to addressing
societal challenges through innovative and inclusive approaches. Over the
years, the platform has evolved beyond recognition to provide social
entrepreneurs with greater visibility, networks, mentorship, knowledge
exchange, and opportunities to strengthen and scale their impact.
The
event also highlighted the growing momentum of India’s social innovation
ecosystem, supported by evolving policy frameworks, increased access to impact
capital, and stronger cross-sector collaboration. The presence of leaders from
government, business, philanthropy, academia, and civil society reaffirmed the
importance of collective action in enabling innovative solutions to deliver
lasting and inclusive development.
Winner
– Social Entrepreneur of the Year India 2026
- Winner: Nidhi Pant, Science for Society Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. (S4S) Technologies, Maharashtra – Empowering smallholder women farmers through solar-powered food processing solutions and market-linked rural entrepreneurship.
Finalists
– Social Entrepreneur of the Year India 2026
- Dr.
Neha Verma, Intelehealth, Maharashtra – Leveraging open-source, AI-enabled telemedicine
infrastructure to expand access to quality healthcare in underserved
communities.
- Nuneseno
Chase, YouthNet, Nagaland – Driving
youth-led development through initiatives focused on education,
livelihoods, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability.
- Vinay
Kumar Reddy Vadde, Sickle Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Telangana – Building technology-led
agricultural solutions that improve farm productivity, reduce post-harvest
losses and enhance farmer incomes.
- Vineet
Saraiwala, Atypical Advantage, Jharkhand – Creating inclusive livelihood
opportunities for persons with disabilities through a technology-enabled
employment and skilling platform.