The Grand Finale of Avinya, a nationwide initiative by Veranda K-12 to foster innovation among students from Grades 8 to 12, held at IIIT-Bangalore ended on a high with Chitrashree C & Divyanshi Soo from Deeksha Stem School, Bangalore being declared the winner. H Praveena Sri Dhurka from BVM Global group of Schools, Perungudi – Chennai came second while as S.Meena & R,Dharshine from Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Govt.Girls Hr. Sec School, Ambattur – Chennai bagged third spot.
The event celebrated the ingenuity and determination of India’s young minds, who presented innovative ideas aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Grand Finale marked the end of an inspiring journey that began with over 385 entries from 15 cities and towns across India. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the finalists underwent specialized training sessions and mentorship, helping them refine their ideas. These participants showcased exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills in tackling real-world challenges.
Preceding the finale, participants were guided through an intensive Bootcamp, which offered invaluable insights into ideation, implementation, and entrepreneurship. This experience equipped students with the tools to transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions.
The finale featured live presentations judged by a distinguished panel, including Mr. Chaitanya Shravanth, Founder & CEO – Circle Health | Mr. Navratan Katariya, Director – Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IoT & AI) – NASSCOM | Mr. Prateek Madhav, Co-founder & CEO – AssisTech Foundation (ATF) | Ms. Kalpana Subbarramappa, Program Manager – Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc.
highlighted the importance of nurturing a culture of innovation. “Innovation is not merely about technology, but about purpose and responsibility. Avinya, an Innovation Hub, provides a meaningful platform for young innovators from across the country to apply their ideas to real-world challenges. At IIIT-B, sustainability is a lived practice, reflected in our commitment to clean energy, responsible resource use, and environmental stewardship. We believe such initiatives empower students to become problem-solvers and changemakers for a sustainable future,” he said, while congratulating the participants for their innovation and commitment.
Rajesh Pankaj, Joint CEO, Veranda K-12, added, “Avinya was conceived with a simple yet powerful belief, that innovation and purpose must begin early. What we witnessed at the Grand Finale was not just creativity, but deep thinking, empathy, and a genuine commitment to solving real-world problems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. At Veranda K-12, we are proud to provide a platform that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and the confidence to build solutions for a better tomorrow.”
Avinya’s mission is to inspire students to think creatively, solve pressing problems, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future. For more details, visit www.verandak12.com/avinya
