Hyderabad: To encourage entrepreneurial thinking and develop 21st-century skills in students, the Ankuram Business Innovators Programme and Ankuram Entrepreneurial Mindsets Programme for the 2024-25 academic year were launched. This initiative targets Grade 11 and Grade 9 students across 409 schools in Telangana’s 33 districts. The launch event took place at T-Hub in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
The event also showcased the success of last year’s programme. Over 2,800 students from 35 schools participated, with the top 20 business ideas from Grade 11 students being highlighted. Additionally, 995 students received seed money from Samagra Shiksha Telangana. The event was organized by Samagra Shiksha Telangana in partnership with Udhyam Learning Foundation, Inquilab Foundation, Y-Hub, and OakNorth, drawing more than 200 attendees.
Apoorva Bhaskar Dasyam, CEO of Y-Hub, emphasized the importance of holistic development for students. She stated, “We at Y-Hub have always focused on equipping our students with 21st-century skills. We are committed to providing the necessary resources and support for students to stay relevant and lead in this ever-evolving world.”
Mekin Maheshwari, CEO and founder of Udhyam Learning Foundation, shared his excitement about the programme’s expansion. “What started as a pilot in 35 government schools in Telangana is now set to expand to 409 schools across all 33 districts, reaching nearly 50,000 students in Grades 9 and 11. We believe that transformation cannot happen in isolation. By combining Udhyam’s experience in building entrepreneurial mindsets across India with Inquilab’s understanding of the Telangana context and Y-Hub’s connection to the innovation and startup ecosystem, we are creating a model where the school system converges with the business ecosystem, equipping students with essential skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Schools are the roots of change, and our grassroots approach ensures that entrepreneurial mindsets are cultivated early for long-term sustainable change.”
Vivek Piddempally, co-founder of Inquilab, expressed pride in the collaboration. “We are proud to be associated with Ankuram, an initiative that empowers our students by nurturing their entrepreneurial potential. Together with Udhyam Learning, Samagra Shiksha, and Inquilab Foundation, we aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of our young entrepreneurs.”
The programme aims to create a strong foundation for future entrepreneurs by integrating educational initiatives with the startup and business ecosystem in Telangana.
