Meet the Finalists 2025

Anneyssa G Kumar

University of York

Starting with projects under the UK Government’s TGVCI programme, she spent five years before becoming Director at Hausoos Ventures in Italy. After leading environmental and social inclusion programs for global brands in India, they joined Apollo in 2022 as CEO of its Foundation arm. Now transitioning into the role of Vice President at Hausoos Global, she continues driving impactful initiatives worldwide.

Sagar Asapur

The University of Edinburgh

Head of the Sustainable Finance Programme at Climate Risk Horizons, Sagar Asapur leads research on climate-related financial risks. An MSc Carbon Finance graduate from the University of Edinburgh, he has shaped sustainable finance policies in India through collaborations with regulators and institutions. His work includes a pioneering report on Indian banks, advancing global climate finance and sustainability.

Prof. Ashish Mathur

Ulster University

A Professor at UPES, Dr. Ashish Mathur pioneers nanotechnology for healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability. With 150+ research articles, 29 patents, and successful tech transfers, his work drives societal impact. A certified Reiki master and Art of Living volunteer, he promotes holistic well-being and global collaboration while mentoring innovation-driven projects for sustainable development.

Simit Bhagat

University of Sussex

A documentary filmmaker and development practitioner, Simit Bhagat is the Founder of Simit Bhagat Studios. With 15+ years in filmmaking, project management, and journalism, he has worked with The Times of India, Tata Trusts, and Thomson Reuters Foundation. He also founded The Bidesia Project, preserving Bhojpuri folk music. A University of Sussex graduate, he continues to drive cultural and social impact.

Arya Yuyutsu

University of Sheffield

Founder of FortyTwo, Arya Yuyutsu leads a transformative digital media agency creating content with sports icons like AB de Villiers and Suresh Raina. His time at the University of Sheffield shaped his deep understanding of digital media. With five years at ESPN as a producer and journalist, he identified market gaps, driving FortyTwo’s vision for innovation and growth in the sports media landscape.

Gayatri Vartak Madkekar

Leeds Beckett University

A former top 100 badminton player, Gayatri recognized the mind’s role in sports, leading her to pursue an MSc in Sport Psychology (UK) and an MA in Psychology (India). With 10+ years in sport and performance psychology, she has impacted 10,000+ Indian players and coaches. Recently, she provided psychology support to athletes at the 2024 Olympics, 2022 Asian Games, and 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mallika Bajaj

Goldsmiths, University of London

Founder-Director of Little Yellow Beetle Media and Ballistic Learning, Mallika is an award-winning digital communications specialist named among Asia’s 100 Most Powerful CMOs. She has led digital transformation and e-learning initiatives for WHO South-East Asia and AIIMS, including SARAL, India’s first sovereign LMS. A Government of India-recognized EdTech Super Achiever, she champions accessible E-education and E-healthcare.

Raju Kendre

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London

Founder and CEO of Eklavya India Foundation, Raju is expanding educational access for marginalized students. Leveraging his nomadic tribe experience, he cultivates leadership through awareness and mentoring. Since 2017, Eklavya has impacted 250,000+ students, secured 1,500+ top university admissions, and facilitated $5M+ in scholarships. He aims to establish an interdisciplinary university in central India.

Sudip Chakraborty

Loughborough University

Former captain of Team India in three AFL International Cups, Sudip founded the Australian Rules Football Association of India in 2014, introducing the sport to 20,000 participants. He has worked with the AFL and Essendon Football Club and now serves as a bureaucrat for the Victorian Government. An AIYD 2017 alumnus, he contributed to key India-Australia strategies and formed Australia’s first Kabaddi team for the 2016 World Cup.

Nalin Mittal

University of Cambridge

Director of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations at PhonePe, Nalin Mittal has been with the company for seven years. He previously held leadership roles at Flipkart and early-stage startups, driving Operations, Growth, and Strategy. A published author of two novels, he holds an MBA from Cambridge, is CFA Level 2 qualified, and earned a B.Tech from IIT Delhi in Production and Industrial Engineering.