Latest news with #Junicorns
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Junicorns from 4 States Meet Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to Showcase Youth Innovation
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh - 3 July 2025 Junicorns from Four States Meet Hon'ble Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma to Showcase Youth Innovation Movement In a historic moment for India's grassroots innovation ecosystem, representatives of Junicorn student startups from Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha met with Hon'ble Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma at Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad on 3rd July 2025. The young innovators, part of the Junicorn100K national mission spearheaded by the International Startup Foundation (ISF), showcased transformative ideas aimed at uplifting rural India through innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. The delegation was led by Mr. J A Chowdary, Founder of ISF and architect of India's tech landscape; Dr. Siva Mahesh Tangutooru, Co-Founder of ISF and national coordinator of Junicorn100K; and Mr. Seshadri Vangala, Co-Founder of ISF and a key mentor shaping the student innovation pipeline. The team was also accompanied by core ISF volunteers, Ms. Vishala and Ms. Padma Alluri, who have been instrumental in mentoring, guiding, and mobilizing youth from the grassroots to global platforms. Governor's Address to Junicorns 'I am deeply encouraged by the passion, vision, and execution capabilities these young students have displayed. It is inspiring to see them not only represent their villages but also fly the Indian flag globally at platforms like the ISF Global Junicorn & AI Summit held in the USA. These changemakers are the future of India — and the future is bright,' — Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon'ble Governor Voices from the Movement Mr. J A Chowdary, Founder, ISF: 'This is a moment of pride for the Junicorn family. The Governor's support is a strong signal to the entire country that rural talent must be nurtured with purpose and vision.' Dr. Siva Mahesh Tangutooru, Co-Founder, ISF: 'The blessing from Shri Jishnu Dev Varma Ji is not just symbolic — it reinforces our mission to empower 1,00,000 rural student innovators across India. We thank him for recognizing our young pioneers.' Mr. Seshadri Vangala, Co-Founder, ISF: 'These students are not just dreamers — they are doers. This meeting with the Governor boosts their morale and anchors our belief that innovation must rise from the villages upward.' Next Steps This event marks a new milestone in the nationwide mission to foster rural youth-led innovation, with ISF leading the charge in partnership with governments, institutions, and industry mentors.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
50 rural innovators showcase ideas to global investors in the US
Austin (USA): In a major boost to rural innovation, 50 student innovators from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka showcased their startup ideas to global investors and corporate leaders at the Global Junicorn Summit held recently at Texas State University in San Marcos, near Austin. Organised by the International Startup Foundation (ISF), based in Bengaluru, the summit was part of a two-day event that also featured the Global AI Summit. The initiative received an overwhelming response from tech leaders, startup founders, and investors from across the US. The 50 student innovators, termed 'Junicorns' (junior unicorns), were shortlisted from over 1,000 applicants through a six-month rigorous selection and mentoring process. Their ideas, covering diverse domains such as agriculture, health tech, sustainability, and education, were developed into pitch-ready prototypes with the support of ISF. The foundation also facilitated their travel to the United States. 'The idea behind Junicorns is to encourage young rural innovators from India by giving them global exposure so that they can eventually evolve into successful entrepreneurs and become role models for youth in rural areas,' said JA Chowdary, Founder of ISF and the key force behind the initiative. 'This summit provided me with a global platform to pitch my idea. Several investors showed serious interest in supporting my innovation.' said a rural innovator from Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. The ISF announced its next step—to build a global mentor network connecting summit attendees and industry leaders to support these Junicorns in turning their ideas into scalable startups. The event concluded with the Global AI Summit, where technology leaders and CEOs discussed the transformative role of artificial intelligence across industries. The summit saw vibrant discussions on AI's applications in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and education, underlining its relevance in shaping future innovations. Both summits highlight ISF's commitment to bridging rural innovation with global opportunities, demonstrating how talent from India's heartland can make an impact on the world stage when empowered with the right platform and mentorship.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
50 Indian rural innovators to attend Global Junicorn & AI Summit in US
Hyderabad: In a momentous leap for Indian grassroots innovation, 50 rural student innovators and mentors from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka were given a hero's farewell recently at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, as they boarded their flight to the United States. This diverse group, selected from over 1,000 applicants through a rigorous six-month nationwide process, will represent India at the Global Junicorn Summit (May 29) and Global AI Summit (May 30) hosted by the International Startups Foundation (ISF) at Texas State University, San Marcos, USA. Most of these young Junicorns—many stepping onto an airplane or leaving their home state for the first time—are now headed for a life-changing journey through four major cities in Texas: Dallas, Austin, San Marcos, and Houston. In a rare gesture of encouragement, the innovators were warmly received by Rao Munukutla, Executive Director & CEO, Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL)—a wholly owned subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL). Special displays, celebratory visuals, and a joyful cake-cutting ceremony marked the occasion inside the airport terminal. Munukutla, said: 'These young minds are carrying India's spirit of innovation to the global stage. We are proud to support this transformative initiative. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru is not just a hub for travel, but a launchpad for dreams.' The delegation will participate in two flagship summits—Global Junicorn and Global AI— where their homegrown solutions will be showcased before international mentors, industry CXOs, and venture capitalists. The students will also visit NASA's Space Center in Houston, the Texas Science Museum, and startup incubators and innovation centers in Dallas, San Marcos, and Austin. These experiences aim to broaden their global outlook and sharpen their entrepreneurial ideas. Dr JA Chowdary, Founder Chairman of ISF and Former IT Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, is already in the US preparing a strong ecosystem of mentors, CXOs, and investors who will guide and empower these budding changemakers. Accompanying the delegation is Dr Siva Mahesh Tangutooru, Co-founder of ISF, who is leading this expedition with deep commitment and vision. Dr Siva Mahesh Tangutooru said: 'This is more than a journey—it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that transforms lives. These students represent untapped brilliance, and our mission is to give them the platform, exposure, and belief they need to build the future. What begins here will echo back in their communities as real-world change.'
