Inside vivo’s classroom of changemakers and its bold bet on youth, tech, and social impact

In an era where innovation and social consciousness are no longer mutually exclusive, mobile handset maker vivo is emerging as a powerful enabler of grassroots change in India. Through its flagship CSR programs like vivo Ignite: Technology and Innovation Initiative and vivo KanyaGyaan, the company is creating meaningful pathways for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to address some of India's most pressing societal challenges.

At the heart of vivo’s efforts lies a transformative belief: young minds, when supported with purpose and the right tools, can spark real and lasting impact. These initiatives are not just scholarship programs; they are platforms for discovery, mentorship, and action.

Igniting innovation in classrooms

The third edition of vivo Ignite recently concluded with record-breaking participation – over 37,000 students from 9,000+ schools across India submitted over 5,600 ‘Tech for Good’ project ideas. The program, launched in partnership with CIET-NCERT, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and the UN Global Compact Network India, empowers students in grades 8 to 12 to develop tech-driven prototypes that solve real-world challenges.

What makes Ignite stand out is not just the scale of participation but the depth of impact. Through a structured mentorship model and rigorous evaluation, students not only get a chance to build prototypes but are also encouraged to think critically about feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and societal relevance.

A look at the solutions these young innovators from across the country aim to create:

AI-powered criminal activity detection using Wi-Fi by Prateek Sethi– A surveillance solution using sensor-less Wi-Fi sensing, awarded Rs 4 lakh, for its innovative, cost-effective Wi-Fi-based system that detects suspicious activity without intrusive surveillance.

ArmX smart rehabilitation system– A wearable robotic therapy solution for one-hand paralyzed patients, won a scholarship of Rs 6 lakh.

Wind-powered EV charging station (Green Run For Green Souls)– A scalable renewable solution, was awarded a scholarship of Rs 4.5 lakh.

Arduino-based LPG gas leak detector– For residential gas safety, received a scholarship of Rs 3 lakh.

Trevive tree health monitor– For real-time ecological conservation, awarded Rs 75,000.

The top five teams earned the title of National Winners, while the finalists ranked 6-10 were recognized as National Finalists with scholarships of Rs 25,000 each.

“Vivo Ignite reflects our commitment to creating joyful, purpose-driven opportunities for students to explore, innovate, and solve real-world challenges,” said Geetaj Channana, Head of Corporate Strategy, vivo India. “The remarkable ingenuity we’ve seen reaffirms the untapped potential that exists across India’s schools.”

More than just a competition, vivo Ignite is a national call-to-action encouraging students to use science and technology not just as academic tools, but as vehicles for civic impact.

Championing girls in STEM

While vivo Ignite focuses on broad-based innovation, vivo KanyaGyaan targets a more focused social mission: bridging the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.

By providing scholarships, mentorship, and skill-building workshops to girls from underserved communities, KanyaGyaan is opening doors for first-generation learners to pursue higher education in science and technology. So far, over 175 girls have already benefited, with 60% coming from families earning less than Rs 1 lakh annually, and 15% raised by single parents.

“Through the ‘vivo KanyaGyaan’ initiative, we’re breaking barriers by providing education, mentorship, and opportunities that help them shape their own futures,” Channana says. “With this, we hope to inspire a larger movement toward empowerment and action in STEM.”

Building Futures for Young Women in STEM - vivo Kanyagyaan

Corporate responsibility reimagined

In a CSR landscape often dominated by infrastructure or token education grants, vivo ensures its programs don’t just give but also nurtures, mentors, and challenges students to rise to their highest potential. By weaving together grassroots access, structured mentorship, and national recognition, vivo is setting a blueprint for how corporate CSR can catalyze social transformation: not through charity, but through capability-building.

As India looks to lead in global innovation, the foundation must be laid in its schools, villages, and underrepresented communities. Vivo India’s technology-for-impact model is doing exactly that—by giving young people the tools to build a better world.

With each edition of vivo Ignite and every scholar supported by vivo KanyaGyaan, the message becomes clearer: innovation belongs to everyone, and real change begins with the courage to empower youth where it matters most.