NEW DELHI, Aug 28, 2025—HCLTech, a leading global technology company, in collaboration with Pearson India and under the strategic advisory of MeitY Startup Hub, today announced the launch of ARISE FOR YOU™, a transformative national initiative aimed at igniting the entrepreneurial spirit among India’s youth.
ARISE FOR YOU™ (Aspire. Rise. Inspire. Skill. Excel.) is a pan-India innovation and entrepreneurship challenge designed to discover, nurture and elevate the next generation of student entrepreneurs. With over 150,000 students expected to participate across 3,000+ campuses, the initiative will culminate in a grand national finale on March 12–13, 2026, celebrating India’s brightest young minds.
The initiative is supported by MeitY Startup Hub, which brings its innovation ecosystem and 62+ hubs to mentor and counsel participants. Pearson India provides the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification and learning content, while Thought Pencil leads the marketing and outreach efforts.
ARISE FOR YOU™ aligns with India’s vision for inclusive innovation and sustainable development. By spotlighting ideas from Tier 2/3 cities and promoting entrepreneurship across disciplines, the initiative supports the Viksit Bharat Mission and strengthens the nation’s innovation pipeline.
“ARISE FOR YOU™ isn’t just a contest—it’s a catalyst. It’s about igniting the dreams of students with passion but lacking the platform. We aim to be that platform. We aspire to be their launchpad,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Business Head – EdTech Services, HCLTech. “At HCLTech, we believe in unlocking the power of youth through inclusive innovation. ARISE FOR YOU™ is a symbol of that belief – where skill meets opportunity, and effort meets recognition,” added Shivashankar.
Vinay Swamy, Country Head, Pearson India, said, “At Pearson India, we believe that entrepreneurship is not just about business creation—it's about empowering the youth, to emerge as solution drivers for our India’s present and future. ARISE FOR YOU™ represents a convergence of learning, innovation and opportunity for the young students. 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. This initiative aligns with our mission to help learners achieve their potential and contribute meaningfully to India's growth story.”
Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, MietY Startup Hub, said, “ARISE FOR YOU™ is more than a competition—it’s a platform to ignite a problem-solving mindset among India’s youth. At MSH, we believe that India’s largest student entrepreneurship movement should be about fostering a problem-solving mindset, not merely competing to ace a test. Our goal is to inspire young minds and also create a funnel for our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR) program. 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. By equipping students to identify challenges and design impactful solutions, we are strengthening the innovation ecosystem that will power India’s future.”
Participants will gain access to:
- Pearson’s globally recognized ESB (Entrepreneurship and Small Business) Certification
- Mentorship from industry leaders and startup influencers
- Micro-credentials, national recognition and career acceleration
- Opportunities to pitch ideas in Shark Tank-style showcases
- Inclusion in India’s first Problem Solver Directory, connecting talent with investors and incubators
Students will register via www.ariseforyou.com, complete the ESB program and submit their startup ideas. Top entries will be shortlisted through regional qualifiers, with the best 30 showcased at the finale. Winners will receive grants up to ₹10 lakhs, incubation opportunities and national media coverage.
Participating institutions in ARISE FOR YOU™ gain national branding and recognition, opportunities to host regional challenges, a boost in their National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) standings thanks to student achievements and the chance to strengthen partnerships with industry and government.
To learn more about the program or to register, please visit: www.ariseforyou.com
About HCLTech
HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 223,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, cloud and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, High Tech, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending June 2025 totalled $14.0 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.
For further details, please contact:
Nitin Shukla, India
nitin-shukla@hcltech.com
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at in.pearson.com.
Media contact:
reachus@pearson.com
About MeitY Startup Hub (MSH): Empowering India’s Deep-Tech Innovation Ecosystem
MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), an independent business division under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), envisions an inclusive and cutting-edge deep-tech startup ecosystem in India, enabling innovators to scale transformative technologies globally and address strategic national and societal challenges.
Guided by its strategic vision, MSH focuses on three pillars: nurturing frontier deep-tech innovation, building entrepreneurial capacity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and driving inclusive technology adoption. To date, MSH has supported over 5,000+ startups through 100+ incubators and 43 Centres of Excellence. By providing mentorship, funding, and industry collaboration, MSH accelerates breakthroughs in AI, IoT, Quantum Computing, and other emerging deep-tech domains, positioning India as a leading global deep-tech ecosystem.