April 20: Thirty-two student teams from Classes 7 to 10, representing schools across India, showcased their entrepreneurial ideas at Launchpad 2026 the national finale of the Young Pioneers Programme held at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science. The programme is co-developed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and GetSetLearn, backed by the Arvind Mafatlal Group.
The competition featured innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges across technology, sustainability, inclusion, wellness, and community impact.
Among the winners, PlasmoGuard by students from Chirec International School, Hyderabad, secured the top spot in the Beginner category, while SteelRoot from Laurel High Global School, Rajahmundry, won in the Intermediate category. Other notable winners included Aervida (Beginner) from BVP Rabindranath School, Pune, and Coper (Intermediate) from Global City, Bengaluru.
Additional standout projects included Sahaara (Beginner) from Chirec International School and AURA (Intermediate) from Dr SSNP School, Davangere, both receiving Best Performance awards for the 2025–26 cycle. The Future Brand Stars award for innovative brand naming was presented to LaundriCafe (Beginner) from PSSMER, Davangere, and Climawear (Intermediate) from Wisdom High International School, Nashik.
The Emerging Innovator Award was awarded to HeadSafe Pro (Beginner) from Billabong School, Pune, and MFCLabs (Intermediate) from Cambria International School, Nashik. Global City, Bengaluru, was recognised as School of the Year for its overall performance and engagement.
Each team was given eight minutes—five to present their ideas and three to interact with the jury. The entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of entrepreneurs, educators, and industry experts, including Dr. Pradeep Pendse and Swathy Rohit, who assessed projects on feasibility, originality, and real-world applicability.
Over the academic year, students developed critical skills such as design thinking, market research, teamwork, and financial modelling—capabilities increasingly valued by universities and employers.
Ashish Arora, Senior Vice President, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said,
“We are contributing to building Viksit Bharat from the classroom up, not just the boardroom down. When learners become creators and problem-solvers, learning becomes truly meaningful. The Young Pioneers Programme, in partnership with GetSetLearn, is designed to blend classroom learning with real-world application and empower students to bring their ideas to life.”
Priyavrata Mafatlal, Co-founder, GetSetLearn and Vice Chairman, Arvind Mafatlal Group, added,
“We often speak about building India’s future through industry and investment, but the real foundation is laid in classrooms. Young Pioneers Launchpad is not just a competition it is a window into the calibre of leaders and innovators India is nurturing.”
The programme spans three progressive levels—Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced—focusing on entrepreneurial fundamentals through masterclasses, mentorship, and hands-on learning. It equips students with essential skills including structured problem-solving, financial literacy, communication, collaboration, and resilience.
By integrating classroom education with real-world application, the Young Pioneers Programme continues to bridge the gap between school learning and future career rea
