Acclaimed actor, television host and entrepreneur Rajeev Khandelwal has been announced as the Ambassador and Host of Vande Bharatam, a nationwide entrepreneurship initiative launched by Gautam Adani to discover and promote grassroots innovators and entrepreneurs across India.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the initiative, which aims to identify entrepreneurial talent from all 36 States and Union Territories and more than 800 districts, extending opportunities beyond India’s established startup hubs.
As the programme’s Ambassador and Host, Rajeev Khandelwal will lead outreach efforts across the country while anchoring key milestones of the initiative. His role includes interacting with finalists, mentors, investors and business leaders before hosting the national Grand Finale in Ahmedabad around Independence Day.
Known for his work across television, films and digital platforms, Khandelwal brings extensive hosting experience and a strong connection with audiences across the country. Organisers believe his presence will help amplify the stories of innovators emerging from small towns, rural communities and underserved regions.
Speaking about the initiative, Gautam Adani reflected on his own entrepreneurial journey.
“When I began my journey, I had nothing. Everything I am and everything I have achieved was given to me by the soil of Bharat,” Adani said.
He added that while India has developed one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, entrepreneurial opportunities have not reached every corner of the country.
“Vande Bharatam is our effort to discover the innovators, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs whose ideas deserve recognition, support and a larger platform,” he said.
Sharing his thoughts on joining the initiative, Rajeev Khandelwal said he was excited to become the voice that helps unknown innovators receive national recognition.
“I have spent much of my career meeting people with extraordinary stories, but Vande Bharatam is different—it is about going out and finding those stories before the world knows them. I look forward to meeting these changemakers and helping the country discover them,” he said.
The programme is currently accepting applications from innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers across India. Following a multi-stage selection process, 75 finalists will be invited to Ahmedabad for mentorship sessions, networking opportunities with industry leaders, investor interactions and the Grand Finale around Independence Day.
Applications for Vande Bharatam opened on June 24 through the programme’s official portal.
Designed as a nationwide platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, Vande Bharatam aims to expand access to mentorship, visibility and investment opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs regardless of their geographic location.
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