Guwahati, Assam: SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank of India, successfully hosted the SBI Youth for India (YFI) Conclave 2025 in Guwahati, bringing together social entrepreneurs, development sector experts, academicians, and SBI YFI Alumni to discuss scalable solutions for rural transformation. The Conclave was graced by Padmashri Ms. Bertha Dkhar, Executive Director, Bethany Society, Shillong. Mr. Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation, Mr Jagannath Sahoo, President & COO, SBI Foundation and other distinguished dignitaries who shared valuable insights on youth-driven social innovation and rural development.
Over the years, motivated Fellows of SBI YFI have initiated transformative projects across thematic areas like education, alternate energy, women’s empowerment, traditional craft, environmental sustainability, rural livelihood, water, health, etc. This year’s YFI Conclave saw deliberations and impact stories of many such youth-led projects and enterprises that are driving impact at the grassroots.
A key highlight of the event was SBI YFI Sahyog – The Pitch Fest, where ten social enterprises presented their impact-driven ideas, competing for seed funding and mentorship. In a power-packed Shark Tank-like round, the winners of this year’s Pitch Fest were chosen by an esteemed panel of jury that included Anupam Joshi and Swapnil Sinha and will receive funding along with strategic mentorship from SBI Foundation and industry leaders. In the last 4 years, SBI YFI Sahyog has supported 24 social ventures with a total funding of ₹1.06 crore, enabling them to scale and sustain their initiatives. The details of the winners this year are:
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S.no
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Name of the Alumni
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Full name of the venture
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Description
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Amount received (Rs)
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1
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Pratibha Krishnaiah and Anvi Mehta
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Himalayan Blooms
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Himalayan Blooms is a women-led, not-for-profit initiative based in Uttarakhand, empowering local women through crochet and knitting. By training rural artisans and
connecting them to wider markets, it creates sustainable livelihoods while preserving traditional craft. Each handcrafted product tells a story of resilience, skill, and nature.
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11 Lakh
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2
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Ruchinilo Kemp
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Kenono Foundation
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The Kenono Foundation, based in Nagaland, India, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving forest biodiversity and supporting forest-dependent communities. Our holistic
approach includes funding conservation efforts through community-based enterprises, as well as fostering holistic rural livelihoods for sustainable development. By integrating environmental conservation with community empowerment, we aim to achieve sustainable development and preserve the natural landscapes of our region.
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11 Lakh
|
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3
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Teja Sanjay
Ghorpade
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Be-ecoliteracy Pollinator
Conservation And
Research Foundation
(BEPCoR)
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BEPCoR (Be-Ecoliteracy Pollinator Conservation and Research Foundation) is a social enterprise committed to empowering rural and tribal women through sustainable beekeeping, pollinator conservation, and honey-based micro entrepreneurship. We set up decentralized honey processing units, deliver practical training on scientific beekeeping,
and facilitate market access for premium, traceable, and ethically sourced honey. Our
model not only boosts rural household incomes and fosters women-led enterprises, but also promotes biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture through community-based pollinator conservation efforts.
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11 Lakh
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4
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Krishna Thiruvengadam Rajagopal
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dVerse Technologies Pvt Ltd
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dVerse is building an immersive edtech ecosystem for visually impaired students, combining bilingual bite-sized lessons with interactive tactile graphics. Powered by a
gamified AI tutor app and smart accessibility devices, CuriO makes STEM education engaging and inclusive. We’re closing the learning gap and empowering blind students to learn, explore, and thrive like never before
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8 Lakh
|
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5
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T Sai Krishna
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Fishy Farmers Pvt Ltd
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Fishy Farmers Private Limited is a for-profit venture founded in 2018 to simplify and scale
sustainable aquaculture in India. Its patented Auto Pneumatic Bead Filter offers a zero maintenance,
energy-efficient solution that improves water quality and reduces mortality in fish farming. With over 70 lakh liters of installed capacity across India, the company supports farmers end-to-end through design, equipment, inputs, and technical services.
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8 Lakh
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6
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Sachin Korla
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UdyamWell
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UdyamWell is a tech-enabled platform that serves as a one-stop solution for rural and grassroots enterprises, offering end-to-end support for market linkage, e-commerce
readiness, and business growth. By leveraging the ONDC network, UdyamWell enables these enterprises to access wider markets, build digital capabilities, and grow sustainably. The platform also provides personalized handholding, ensuring that SHGs, FPOs, Artisans
etc receive continuous guidance and support throughout their digital commerce journey.
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8 Lakh
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Speaking at the event, Mr. Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director & CEO, SBI Foundation, emphasized the need for young changemakers to lead India’s rural development efforts. He said, “For over 14 years, the SBI Youth for India Fellowship has been a catalyst for social change, empowering 640 dedicated individuals to co-create sustainable solutions at the grassroots. Through our focus on key thematic areas, including education, healthcare, women empowerment, and rural livelihoods, our Fellows have made a lasting impact across 21 States, and Union Territories, transforming the lives of over 1,50,000 people.
This journey is a testament to the power of collective action and innovation in addressing critical social challenges. By fostering a network of socially conscious leaders, we are not only driving immediate change but also building a strong foundation for long-term rural development. As we look ahead, SBI Foundation remains committed to expanding this impact, supporting social entrepreneurs, and strengthening community-driven initiatives. Our goal is to continue bridging gaps, empowering communities, and enabling sustainable progress through collaboration and innovation.”
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