Meet the five finalists of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award 2026, recognised for innovations in healthcare, agriculture, livelihoods, climate technology and inclusion.
NOIDA (India CSR): Five social entrepreneurs working across healthcare, agriculture technology, livelihoods, youth development and disability inclusion have been shortlisted for the 17th edition of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award 2026.
The finalists were announced by Jubilant Bhartia Foundation in partnership with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The winner will be declared at a special ceremony in New Delhi on August 21, 2026.
Launched in 2009, the Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award has emerged as a prominent platform for recognising leaders who are developing scalable and sustainable solutions to some of India’s most pressing social and economic challenges.
Five Finalists Selected from 208 Applications
The five finalists were selected from a competitive pool of 208 applications, nearly 70% of which came from first-time applicants.
The selection process involved multiple stages of evaluation based on social impact, innovation, scalability, sustainability and the ability of each initiative to contribute to systemic change.
The 2026 cohort represents a diverse range of organisational models, leadership backgrounds and geographies. It also reflects the growing role of climate technology, artificial intelligence, agricultural innovation and digital platforms in addressing development challenges.
Meet the SEOY India Award 2026 Finalists
Dr. Neha Verma, Intelehealth, Maharashtra
Dr. Neha Verma is expanding access to quality healthcare in underserved communities through open-source and AI-enabled telemedicine infrastructure.
Intelehealth uses technology to connect patients in remote and low-resource areas with healthcare professionals, helping bridge gaps in primary healthcare access.
Nidhi Pant, S4S Technologies, Maharashtra
Nidhi Pant of Science For Society Techno Services Pvt. Ltd., popularly known as S4S Technologies, is empowering smallholder women farmers through solar-powered food processing and market-linked rural entrepreneurship.
The organisation works to reduce food wastage while creating income-generating opportunities for women in rural communities.
Nuneseno Chase, YouthNet, Nagaland
Nuneseno Chase is leading youth-focused development initiatives through YouthNet in Nagaland.
The organisation works across education, entrepreneurship, livelihoods and environmental sustainability, with a focus on enabling young people to become active participants in economic and social development.
Vinay Kumar Reddy Vadde, Sickle Innovations, Telangana
Vinay Kumar Reddy Vadde of Sickle Innovations Pvt. Ltd. is developing technology-led agricultural solutions designed to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmer incomes.
The enterprise focuses on making modern agricultural equipment and processes more accessible to small and marginal farmers.
Vineet Saraiwala, Atypical Advantage, Jharkhand
Vineet Saraiwala is creating employment and skilling opportunities for persons with disabilities through Atypical Advantage, a technology-enabled inclusive livelihood platform.
The platform connects persons with disabilities with employers and opportunities across sectors, helping promote greater workplace inclusion and economic independence.
Finalists to Present Before Independent Jury
The shortlisted entrepreneurs will present their work before an independent jury ahead of the final announcement.
The winner will join the Schwab Foundation’s global community of social innovators, gaining access to international networks, knowledge-sharing opportunities and platforms that can help strengthen and scale social impact.
All five finalists will also be eligible to apply for the Hindustan Times Fellowship for the Stanford Seed Transformation Program.
Platform for Scalable Social Innovation
Vivek Prakash, Head of Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, said the award has evolved over the past 17 editions into a platform that not only recognises outstanding social entrepreneurs but also strengthens the wider social innovation ecosystem.
He said the 2026 finalists demonstrate the strength and diversity of purpose-driven leadership in India and show how scalable, sustainable models can address complex societal challenges.
“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,” he said.
Social Entrepreneurs Supporting Viksit Bharat 2047
Dr. Francois Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, said social entrepreneurs have an important role to play in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
He said social innovators are combining creativity with a deep understanding of local realities to expand opportunities, strengthen community resilience and improve lives at scale.
According to him, the five finalists demonstrate how social innovation can contribute to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.
He added that the recognition would help amplify their influence, inspire other entrepreneurs and encourage greater support for solutions shaping India’s development journey.
Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development
Through the Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation aim to identify and amplify leaders whose initiatives have the potential to create lasting social change.
The award also seeks to strengthen connections between social entrepreneurs, investors, institutions, policymakers and ecosystem partners.
With the 2026 finalists working across diverse sectors, the latest edition highlights how technology, entrepreneurship and community-led action are increasingly converging to address India’s development priorities.
About Jubilant Bhartia Foundation
Jubilant Bhartia Foundation was established in 2007 as the not-for-profit arm of the Jubilant Bhartia Group.
The foundation leads the group’s social development initiatives across healthcare, education, livelihoods, rural development and social entrepreneurship.
With a pan-India presence, it reaches more than two million beneficiaries through community-based interventions.
The foundation also promotes social innovation and entrepreneurship through its BHARAT IMPACT platform and partnerships with institutions and ecosystem organisations.
