School students from Bengaluru and several other states pitched innovation projects at the YuviPep Next-Gen Founders Grand Finale on January 10 . The event, held at the YuviPep Office in Bengaluru, brought together nearly 100 students forming 50 teams. They presented solutions to practical challenges across five key areas.
Project Innovation and National Reach
Student teams showcased projects addressing sustainability, health, urban living, education, and social impact. Participants included students from outside Karnataka, with representation from multiple states. This highlighted the program’s expanding national scope. YuviPep mentors guided each team through project preparation and execution stages.
Expert Judging Panel
The jury comprised eminent leaders from India’s space, technology, and industry sectors. The panel included:
- Mr. V. Gnana Gandhi : Padma Shri awardee and cryogenic rocketry expert.
- Mr. R. S. Bhatia : Former ISRO Director of Programme Planning.
- Mr. Sreenivasa Prasad K : Former ISRO Scientist and Power Systems Division Head.
- Mr. M. S. Srinivasan : Former ISRO Satellite Centre Group Director.
- Mr. Amit Jain : Vice President – Engineering at Telaverge Communications Private Limited.
- Mr. Ramesh V Ram : Global venture and innovation advisor.
The program focused on execution, decision-making, and iterative learning, differing from traditional student competitions. Students explained problem statements, design choices, challenges faced, and how feedback improved their projects.
Expert Perspectives on Student Work
Jury members shared their observations on the student presentations.
- Mr. V. Gnana Gandhi stated, “Students approached real problems seriously. This early exposure builds the mindset for complex engineering and national missions.”
- Mr. M. S. Srinivasan noted, “The discipline and ownership shown by these students were clear. These habits turn ideas into dependable systems.”
- Mr. R. S. Bhatia added, “Innovation succeeds when planning and execution combine. This platform gives students a real sense of idea review and refinement.”
- Mr. Sreenivasa Prasad K commented, “The clarity in explaining technical trade-offs reflects the value of guided, hands-on learning.”
Competition Structure and Evaluation
The competition progressed in two structured rounds. In Round One, all teams presented their projects to the jury. Following initial evaluations, the top 10 teams advanced to one-to-one interactions with the judges.
The remaining teams moved to Round Two. They competed for 15 additional positions through a combined evaluation. This assessment included jury scores, phase-wise performance, and audience voting. This structure mirrored real-world feedback and decision-making environments.
Awards and Student Impact
YuviPep recognized leading teams for their innovative projects. These included Greener Bengaluru, Stress and Posture Buddy, and Sensible Headphones. The winning team received a fully sponsored international learning experience in Singapore. Cash awards were also presented to top teams, totaling ₹3 lakh.
Mr. John from St Patrick’s School, Kerala, represented participating students. He said, “This competition offers a valuable platform for students from other states to gain exposure. The experience was organized, feedback was useful, and the environment encouraged confident presentation.”
YuviPep’s Ongoing Initiative
YuviPep connects school students with ISRO leaders and industry experts. The program provides structured mentoring ecosystems. This initiative aims to build practical innovation capability and confidence among young learners across India.