Education
Innovate2Educate fuels budget-friendly edtech solutions at WAVES
Student-led designs turn into startups as affordable learning tools take shape
NEW DELHI: The Innovate2Educate challenge has sparked a wave of low-cost, accessible learning solutions, with several student-led ideas evolving into startups following their showcase at WAVES 2025.
Launched under the Create in India Challenge, the initiative encouraged students, startups and innovators to design handheld educational devices that blend technology with inclusivity. The focus was clear. Build solutions that are not only innovative but also accessible to learners with diverse needs, including visually impaired and neurodivergent children.
Affordability was central to the brief. Participants were asked to develop prototypes within a cost ceiling of Rs 1,000, pushing innovators to think creatively while keeping real-world constraints in mind. The result was a range of frugal yet functional devices aimed at making learning more interactive and inclusive.
The response was strong, with over 1,800 registrations from across the country. After multiple rounds of mentoring and workshops, 10 finalists were selected and given a platform to present their prototypes at CreatoSphere, where they also engaged with industry stakeholders.
The top three teams received prize money of up to Rs 50,000, but the bigger win came after the event. Four of the finalist teams have since transitioned into startups, with two exploring incubation through the WAVEX Startup Accelerator Programme.
The initiative has also opened doors to investors, with winners participating in outreach events aimed at scaling their ideas into viable businesses.
Sharing details in Parliament, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state L Murugan highlighted the programme’s role in fostering innovation at the intersection of education and technology, in response to a query by Basavaraj Bommai.
From classroom concepts to startup journeys, Innovate2Educate shows how a simple brief can spark meaningful change. When innovation meets accessibility, even a device under Rs 1,000 can make a big difference.
Education
Govt to set up creator labs in 15,000 schools to boost AVGC sector
Budget boost and WAVES initiatives aim to scale India’s creator economy
NEW DELHI: The government is doubling down on India’s so-called orange economy, rolling out an ambitious plan to expand content creation infrastructure and skill development across the country.
At the heart of the push is a proposal to set up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges, backed by an allocation of Rs 250 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27. The move is aimed at nurturing talent early and building a pipeline for the fast-growing animation, visual effects, gaming and comics sector.
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies has been designated as the nodal agency to steer this rollout. Operating from the campus of National Film Development Corporation in Mumbai, the institute has already launched 18 courses, with over 130 students enrolled and a trainer network beginning to take shape.
The broader ecosystem push is rooted in recommendations by the AVGC Promotion Task Force, which estimates that the sector could require around two million skilled professionals by 2030. The government is now working to align training, infrastructure and policy to meet that demand.
Flagship platforms such as WAVES 2025 are playing a central role in this strategy. The summit brought together creators, investors and global industry leaders, while initiatives like the WaveX Startup Accelerator Programme are helping startups scale through mentorship, funding access and international exposure.
The Create in India Challenge has also emerged as a key talent pipeline. Its first edition saw 33 challenges and participation from over one lakh creators, including many from smaller cities, signalling a democratisation of content creation across India.
Sharing details in Parliament, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state L Murugan outlined the government’s multi-pronged approach in response to queries raised by Kriti Devi Debbarman and Eatala Rajender.
With policy, funding and platforms now aligning, India’s creator economy is getting a structured push. The message is clear. From classrooms to global screens, the next wave of storytellers is being built at scale.
