School innovators engage with ISRO leaders at YuviPep’s Next-Gen Founders Grand Finale
New Delhi : YuviPep brought together school students from Bengaluru and several other states at the Next-Gen Founders Grand Finale, marking a key milestone for young innovators and the programme’s expanding national reach. The event enabled students to engage directly with senior ISRO leaders and industry experts in a professional review setting that tested ideas on execution, clarity, and real-world relevance.
Nearly 100 students, working in 50 teams, presented solutions to practical challenges in sustainability, health, urban living, education, and social impact. Students from multiple states outside Karnataka participated, reinforcing the programme’s growing footprint across India. YuviPep mentors guided each team closely through preparation and execution, resulting in a seamless finale in which every team successfully demonstrated its project without technical or execution failures.
The jury included eminent leaders from India’s space, technology, and industry ecosystem: Padma Shri awardee and cryogenic rocketry expert V. Gnana Gandhi; former ISRO Director (Programme Planning) R. S. Bhatia; former ISRO Scientist and Power Systems Division Head Sreenivasa Prasad K; former ISRO Satellite Centre Group Director M. S. Srinivasan; Amit Jain, Vice President – Engineering at Telaverge Communications Private Limited; and global venture and innovation advisor Ramesh V. Ram.
Unlike conventional student competitions, the Next-Gen Founders programme emphasised execution, decision-making, and learning through iteration. Students explained their problem statements, design choices, and technical trade-offs, while also outlining the challenges they faced and how feedback helped them improve their solutions. This approach allowed participants to experience innovation as a disciplined process that demands accountability, structured review, and continuous learning.
Reflecting on the presentations, V. Gnana Gandhi said, “What stood out was the seriousness with which students approached real problems. This kind of early exposure builds the mindset needed for complex engineering and national missions.”
M. S. Srinivasan said, “The discipline and ownership shown by these students were impressive. These habits are what eventually turn ideas into dependable systems.”
R. S. Bhatia said, “Innovation succeeds when planning and execution come together. This platform gives students a real sense of how ideas are reviewed, refined, and strengthened.”
Sreenivasa Prasad K added, “The clarity with which students explained technical trade-offs reflects the value of guided, hands-on learning.”
The organisers conducted the competition in two structured rounds. In the first round, all teams presented before the jury, after which the judges shortlisted the top 10 teams for one-to-one interactions. The remaining teams advanced to the second round, where they competed for the next 15 positions through a combined evaluation of jury scores, phase-wise performance, and audience voting, closely mirroring real-world feedback and decision-making environments.
The programme concluded with recognition of leading teams, including Greener Bengaluru, Stress and Posture Buddy, and Sensible Headphones. The organisers awarded the winning team a fully sponsored international learning experience in Singapore and presented cash awards to the top teams, with a total prize pool of ₹3 lakh.
Speaking on behalf of participating students, John from St Patrick’s School, Kerala, said, “This competition is an ideal platform for students from other states to participate and gain meaningful exposure. The experience was well organised, the feedback was valuable, and the environment encouraged students to think and present with confidence. It sets a strong benchmark for what students can look forward to in future editions.”
By connecting school students with ISRO leaders, industry experts, and a structured mentoring ecosystem, YuviPep continues to build practical innovation capability and confidence among young learners across India.
