Noida : Jubilant
Bhartia Foundation (JBF), in partnership with the Schwab Foundation for
Social Entrepreneurship, today announce the five finalists of the 17th
edition of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY) India Award 2026.
Since its inception in 2009, SEOY has established itself as one of India's most
prestigious platforms for social entrepreneurship, recognising visionary
leaders and scalable innovations that address some of the country's most
pressing social challenges.
This year’s cohort reflects
the growing prominence of emerging areas of social innovation, including
Climate Technology, Healthcare, Livelihoods, Agriculture Technology and
Inclusion. The finalists also represent a rich diversity of geographies,
leadership profiles and organisational models, spanning both for-profit and
non-profit enterprises committed to driving meaningful social impact.
Selected from a competitive
pool of 208 applications, nearly 70% of which were first-time
applicants, the five finalists advanced through a rigorous multi-stage
evaluation process assessing social impact, innovation, scalability,
sustainability and potential for systemic change.
The finalists for the SEOY
India Award 2026 are:
·
Dr. Neha Verma of Intelehealth, Maharashtra,
who is leveraging open-source, AI-enabled telemedicine infrastructure to expand
access to quality healthcare in underserved communities;
·
Nidhi Pant of Science For Society Techno
Services Pvt. Ltd. (S4S Technologies), Maharashtra, who is
empowering smallholder women farmers through solar-powered food processing
solutions and market-linked rural entrepreneurship;
·
Nuneseno Chase of YouthNet, Nagaland,
who is driving youth-led development through initiatives focused on education,
livelihoods, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability;
·
Vinay Kumar Reddy Vadde of Sickle
Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Telangana, who is building
technology-led agricultural solutions that improve farm productivity, reduce
post-harvest losses and enhance farmer incomes;
· Vineet Saraiwala of Atypical Advantage, Jharkhand, who is creating inclusive livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities through a technology-enabled employment and skilling platform.
The finalists are set to
present their work before an independent jury, with the winner to be
announced at a special ceremony hosted by Jubilant Bhartia Foundation,
together with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in New
Delhi on August 21, 2026. The winner will join the Schwab Foundation’s global
community of social innovators, while all finalists will be eligible to apply
for the Hindustan Times Fellowship for the Stanford Seed Transformation
Program.
On the announcement of the
finalists, Mr. Vivek Prakash, Head, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, said,
“Over the past 17 editions, the
Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award has evolved into a platform that
not only recognises exceptional social entrepreneurs but also amplifies
innovative solutions that create meaningful and lasting impact. This year's
finalists reflect the strength and diversity of India's social innovation
ecosystem, demonstrating how purpose-driven leadership can address complex
societal challenges through scalable and sustainable models. Together with the
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, we remain committed to
strengthening the ecosystem by providing deserving changemakers with a platform
to inspire, collaborate and scale their impact.”
“As India advances towards its vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it is
important to recognise the contributions that social entrepreneurs are making
to the country’s inclusive growth and development journey. Across India, they
are combining innovation with a deep understanding of local realities to
develop solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen resilience and improve
lives at scale,” said Dr. Francois Bonnici, Director of the Schwab
Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. “The finalists of this year’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year India
Award demonstrate the potential of social innovation in contributing to a more
inclusive and sustainable future. Together with our partners at the Jubilant
Bhartia Foundation, we are proud to celebrate these finalists’ achievements -
this recognition will amplify their influence, inspire others and encourage
greater support for the solutions helping to shape India’s future.”
Through the SEOY India Award,
Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social
Entrepreneurship remain committed to recognising and amplifying innovative
leaders whose work are shaping a more inclusive, sustainable and equitable
future for India.