Pune: Schaeffler India, a leading motion technology company, has announced the winners of its 4th Edition of the ‘Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program’. The programme is designed to recognise and empower young social innovators who are creating impactful and scalable solutions to some of society’s most pressing environmental and societal challenges. By nurturing ideas that combine innovation with sustainability, it seeks to transform grassroots initiatives into long-term change drivers that can improve communities.
Marking its fourth edition, this year’s Fellowship programme invited applications from individuals, groups, institutions, and organisations, both for-profit and non-profit, across India. The programme was open to applicants aged 18–35 who are addressing pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, carbon neutrality, circular economy, natural resource management, and the application of technology in the social sector.
After a rigorous screening process, which encompasses stringent evaluations and prototype demonstrations, the top 10 exceptional projects were awarded a grant of INR 1.75 lakh and access to an intensive 24-week hybrid mentorship programme at the renowned IIM Ventures at IIM Ahmedabad, designed to accelerate their ideas. The programme will provide tools, framework, access to industry expert mentoring, and resources to be market-ready and scale their solutions to amplify their impact.
Since its enrolment opened in July 2025, the programme has received over 460 registrations from over 21 States and final submission of 172 eligible applications, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Orrissa, Madhya Pradesh, UP, Gujarat, Assam, Tamilnadu, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, AP and Delhi, Punjab and more with 103 shortlisted applicants for assessment.
Harsha Kadam, MD and CEO of Schaeffler India, stated that “Change is the only constant. In a dynamic world where environment and technology play a fundamental role in meeting the evolving needs of the world’s populus, the Social Innovator Fellowship Program speaks volumes of Schaeffler’s commitment to ESG and building not just a technologically advanced business model but be sensitive to the environment we operate in. It is our commitment to building a sustainable future that drives us to keep supporting this program year on year. With the response rates from participants growing over the years, it’s overwhelming to see the indomitable spirit where technology and human consciousness collaborate to build a better world.
We are happy that the programme is designed to identify and empower young changemakers who are developing scalable, impactful, and technology-driven solutions. In doing so, Schaeffler aims to harness entrepreneurial spirit and provide a platform where innovators can translate their ideas into transformative actions that make a sustainable impact on society.”
Lastly, he congratulated all the Innovators and thanked them for their participation and wished them success in commercialising their projects so the world can be a better place for future generations.
The award ceremony was graced by Professor Gurudas Nulkar, Director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Munish Bhatia, Co-Founder, India Accelerator & CEO, Bharat Ventures, Dr Bharat Kakade – President & Managing Trustee, BAIF Development Research Foundation and Ankur Sohanpal, AVP IIMA Ventures.
Beyond this Fellowship, Schaeffler India continues to drive social development through targeted initiatives, such as promoting STEM education in underserved areas, advancing water conservation, encouraging agroforestry and climate-resilient agriculture, and supporting community health projects. Through these initiatives, the company envisions creating an ecosystem where innovation and sustainability converge, ensuring equitable progress and positive transformation in society.