The first-ever Futurepreneurs’ Challenge, a national-level entrepreneurship competition for high school students, concluded with great success today at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyashram, Jaipur. Organized by the Vidyashram Old School Association (VOSA) in collaboration with Innovher and ACIC-VGU Foundation, this landmark event provided an invaluable platform for over 60 student teams from across India to develop entrepreneurial skills and connect with industry leaders, investors, and mentors.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Ankit Tandon—Global Chief Business Officer and CEO for Southeast Asia, Middle East & China at Oyo—delivered an inspiring address, drawing from his experiences in global business and innovation. He praised the event’s mission of “bridging the gap between young innovators and real-world entrepreneurial opportunities,” and emphasized the importance of adaptability and risk-taking in today’s competitive landscape.
Ms. Preeti Sangwan, Principal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyashram, welcomed participants with a motivating speech, stating, “The Inter-School Futureprene rs’
Challenge 2024 is a unique opportunity for young minds to explore the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. In a fast-changing world, innovation drives progress, and creative thinking is crucial. This challenge encourages students to go beyond the ordinary, develop groundbreaking ideas, and gain invaluable skills and insights from industry experts that will open doors for their futures.” Her words underscored the school’s commitment to nurturing creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among its students.
The event was structured in three exciting stages: an initial online pitch deck submission, followed by a dynamic Exhibition Display and Speed Pitching round, where 50 teams showcased their ideas to entrepreneurs and investors. The competition concluded with a final live pitching round, where the top 10 teams presented to a national-level investor panel. Participants tackled five thematic areas, presenting diverse ideas from sustainable solutions to tech-based social impact projects. Notable pitches included startups such as Shop IQ, CarQi, Scan N Call, Hobbyfi, Vigor, and Kavadia, each embodying the creativity and ambition of the next generation of entrepreneurs. Winning projects secured seed funding and awards in recognition of their potential for positive impact.
A network of distinguished alumni and industry leaders attended to support the students, including Prashant Gupta of Anukampa Builders, Alpesh Rawat of Usha Precision Products, Madhur Singhal (Angel Investor), and Vivek Kothari of Angel Jewels. They provided valuable mentorship, furthering the event’s collaborative spirit and offering young participants insights into the entrepreneurial world. Many alumni, now successful business leaders, extended encouragement and guidance, and some even explored investment opportunities in promising projects.
Participating schools included Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyashram JLN Marg, B.V.B. Vidyashram KM Munshi Marg, Subodh Public School Airport, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyashram Pratap Nagar, MSMSV Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya, St. Anselm’s Pink City School, Sanskar School, Cambridge Court World School, Tagore International School, and Jayshree Periwal Global School, ensuring a wide representation of academic institutions.