HCLTech, in partnership with Pearson India and with the strategic support of the MeitY Startup Hub, has launched Arise for You, an innovative national initiative aimed at sparking the entrepreneurial drive among India’s youth, according to a press release
Arise, which stands for Aspire, Rise, Inspire, Skill, Excel, is a nationwide innovation and entrepreneurship competition designed to identify, nurture, and advance the next generation of student entrepreneurs.
With an anticipated participation of over 1.5 lakh students from more than 3,000 campuses, the initiative will culminate in a grand national finale on March 12–13, 2026, honouring India’s most promising young talents.
Vinay Swamy, country head at Pearson India, said in the release, “[With] our ESB certification and comprehensive learning resources, we are ensuring that every participant acquires not just entrepreneurial skills, but the confidence to transform their ideas into impact.”
Participants will gain access to Pearson’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) Certification, valuable mentorship from industry leaders, and opportunities for micro-credentials that enhance their career prospects.
They can also pitch ideas in Shark Tank-style showcases and join India’s first Problem Solver Directory, connecting them with investors and incubators to support their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Leading entries will be selected through regional qualifiers, with the top 30 featured at the final event. Victors will be awarded grants of up to ₹10 lakhs, opportunities for incubation, and exposure in national media.
Institutions that participate in this initiative would benefit from national recognition and branding, opportunities to organise regional challenges, an enhancement in their National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) standings due to student accomplishments, and the possibility to strengthen collaborations with industry and government.
Dr Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of the MietY Startup Hub, said, “One of our core pillars is driving innovation from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and this initiative enables us to nurture solutions that truly solve Bharat.”
