Launchpad 2026, the national finale of the Young Pioneers programme, where student innovators from schools across India showcase business projects they have built, was held at IISc, Bengaluru. Over 90 student teams from classes 7 to 10, across India participated, with 32 finalists presenting their venture ideas at the finale.
The programme, co-developed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and ed-tech company Get Set Learn, integrates coursebook learning with expert-led masterclasses and mentorship. Over three years, it progresses through Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced stages by focusing on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
Winners
Plasmo Guard, an AI-powered technology which can detect malaria at an early stage within minutes, developed by students from Chirec International School, Hyderabad, emerged winners in the Beginner category, while Steel Root by Laurel High Global School, Rajahmundry won in the Intermediate category.
The Emerging Innovator Award was presented to HeadSafe Pro (Beginner) from Billabong School, Pune, and MFC Labs (Intermediate) from Cambria International School, Nashik. The HeadSafe Pro project came up with a safety helmet for miners and construction workers which can detect gas leaks in the mines that might go unnoticed and send an alert immediately to the supervisors. MFC Labs presented a way to generate electricity from garbage.
