From India to the World: OMG Labs Wins Global Education Challenge 2025
With 251 million children still out of school worldwide, the Fitch Group x Social Shifters Global Education Challenge is backing young innovators delivering practical, scalable solutions to make quality education accessible for all.
Access to education is widely recognised as a fundamental human right and one of the strongest drivers of upward socio-economic mobility. It offers individuals a pathway out of poverty, equips societies with skilled talent, and lays the foundation for long-term development. Yet, despite global progress, 251 million children and young people worldwide remain out of school, held back by persistent challenges such as poverty, social exclusion, and gender inequality.
Bridging this gap requires more than policy intent. It calls for bold, practical solutions rooted in local realities and driven by innovation.
Empowering Young Changemakers Through Global Collaboration
In 2025, the Fitch Group x Social Shifters Global Education Challenge set out to do exactly that. The initiative supported young impact entrepreneurs aged 18–30 who are working to expand access to free, high-quality education for underserved communities across the world.
The response was overwhelming. Thousands of applications were submitted globally, reflecting the urgency of the education crisis and the creativity of a new generation determined to address it. With the support of hundreds of employee volunteers, seven standout projects were shortlisted to compete in three regional finals spanning the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.
A Global Grand Final With Real-World Impact
Earlier this week, the top two finalists from each region advanced to the Global Grand Final, competing for additional grant funding and global recognition. The projects showcased a wide range of approaches, from digital learning platforms to community-led education models, each designed to overcome structural barriers to learning.
Emerging as the Global Education Challenge 2025 winner was OMG Labs from India, a venture redefining what learning looks like inside the classroom. OMG Labs has emerged as the top innovation among 1,000+ startups from over 100 countries.
OMG Labs: Where Education Meets Sustainability
OMG Labs transforms traditional classrooms into hydroponic microfarms, turning schools into hands-on learning environments that blend education with sustainability. Through this model, students grow microgreens within their schools, gaining practical knowledge about nutrition, climate action, and responsible food systems.
The impact goes beyond learning outcomes. Schools improve the quality of student meals, reduce food waste, and foster environmental awareness at an early age. To date, OMG Labs has implemented its solution across more than 30 schools, demonstrating how experiential education can create tangible social and environmental benefits.
Founder & About OMG Labs
OMG is an Agri EdTech social enterprise founded by brothers Sourabh S. Sindhe and Suchith S. Sindhe, transforming classrooms into Nature Labs where students learn to grow food, cook mindfully, and live sustainably.
Working across India, Fiji, and Australia, OMG connects children with nature and farming while advancing India’s NEP 2020, Mission LiFE, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The success of the Global Education Challenge underscores the power of collaboration between corporates, non-profits, volunteers, and young entrepreneurs. It also highlights how locally grounded solutions can address global challenges when given the right platform and support.