“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Ready to Imagine Better?
Registrations for the Change Maker Challenge 2026–2027 are now open.
Inventure Academy’s Change Maker Challenge 2026-2027
About the Challenge
The Change Maker Challenge (CMC) is a platform designed to empower high school students to become leaders of positive change. Rooted in Inventure Academy’s Core Purpose of “Empowering learners to realise their full potential, ignite change and create positive impact,” CMC challenges students to identify meaningful opportunities for change within their communities and develop innovative and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.
At CMC, sustainability encompasses both environmental responsibility and the ability of ideas to create enduring impact through adoption, continuity and succession beyond the founding team.
Through a structured challenge journey, mentorship from educators, practitioners and industry experts, opportunities for peer learning, and access to a funding pool of INR 20 lakhs, students develop essential life skills, strengthen leadership capabilities and cultivate a deep sense of responsibility towards shaping the world around them.
Theme for CMC 2026-2027
Imagine Better: Building The Future We Want To Live In
Every meaningful change begins with imagining what could be possible.
Sometimes, it starts with asking:
Could this work differently?
Could this work better?
Could this work for everyone?
Some of the most meaningful opportunities for change lie in the things we have gradually learned to live with – challenges that affect how we learn, how we connect, how our communities function, and how we care for one another and our planet.
CMC 2026-2027 invites students to pause, observe and imagine what might be possible.
Students are encouraged to choose a challenge that matters to them, understand the people and experiences behind it, explore its root causes and design solutions that create meaningful and lasting impact.
Whether through technology, design, policy, community action or new ways of thinking, participants are invited to develop solutions that are purposeful, inclusive and grounded in real human needs.
Technology can be part of the answer. Artificial Intelligence can be part of the answer. But meaningful innovation begins with empathy, curiosity and purpose.
Because the future is not something we simply inherit.
It is something we actively shape.
Who Can Participate?
Students from Grades 8–12
Teams of at least three students
One adult guide (teacher, parent or another trusted adult)
Open to students from any school or community
What You’ll Do
Your journey from curiosity to real world change
The Challenge Journey
The Change Maker Challenge is designed as a three-stage journey that supports students in moving from ideas to action and, ultimately, to meaningful impact.
Round 1
Observe, Explore & Imagine Better
Participants identify challenges that matter to them, engage with stakeholders, understand the people and experiences behind those challenges, and explore opportunities for meaningful change.
- Develop empathy and systems thinking
- Investigate root causes and explore existing solutions
- Participate in ideation and project refinement workshops
- Receive feedback to strengthen and clarify their ideas
- Connect with a broader community of young changemakers
Round 2
Design, Plan & Pitch
Through workshops, mentoring and seed funding, participants learn how to refine concepts, design feasible solutions and communicate their vision effectively.
- Strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Develop innovative, feasible and sustainable solutions
- Build confidence in presenting and pitching ideas
- Learn from educators, entrepreneurs, practitioners and changemakers
- Receive seed funding to support early-stage prototyping and planning
- Present their ideas to a panel of expert judges and receive feedback to strengthen their projects
Round 3
Prototype, Pilot & Create Impact
Teams test their ideas in authentic contexts, gather feedback, iterate their solutions and demonstrate how their work can contribute to lasting change.
- Prototype and refine solutions through real-world testing
- Engage with mentors throughout the implementation process
- Explore how ideas can be sustained beyond the duration of the challenge
- Build portfolios that showcase initiative, resilience, leadership and impact
- Apply for additional funding to support implementation and scaling
- Present their work to expert judges and peers
What Participants Can Expect
Throughout the challenge, participants will have opportunities to:
Attend expert-led workshops
Learn through mentoring and peer collaboration
Receive feedback to strengthen their ideas
Access seed funding to develop prototypes
Pilot solutions in real-world contexts
Present projects to expert judges
Build leadership, innovation and problem-solving skills
Funding & Support
CMC provides funding at different stages of the challenge to help promising ideas grow.
Up to INR 5,000 in seed funding for each of the 50 Round 2 teams
Up to INR 40,000 for Round 3 teams to support implementation and pilot projects
A combined funding pool of up to INR 5,00,000 for the Top 5 teams to further develop or scale their initiatives
Wild Card Teams
Progress isn’t always linear.
Teams that do not advance to Round 2 or Round 3 may still continue their changemaking journey through the Wild Card pathway. Teams that demonstrate meaningful progress, learning or continued implementation may be invited to rejoin the challenge at a later stage.
Potential project areas
Projects may align with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore opportunities to create meaningful impact across areas such as:
Learning, Education & Opportunity
(SDG 4 – Quality Education; SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities)
How might we create learning experiences, opportunities and pathways that enable individuals and communities to thrive?
Possible areas include:
- Reimagining learning experiences for future-ready learners
- Improving access, equity and inclusion in education
- Supporting lifelong learning and skill development
- Workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and pathways to meaningful work
- Expanding opportunities for underserved communities
- Designing solutions that foster belonging, participation and human potential
- Exploring the role of technology and emerging innovations in shaping the future of learning and work
Personal Health & Well-being: Human Flourishing in a Changing World
(SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being)
How might we support healthier, happier and more connected lives?
Possible areas include:
- Mental health and emotional well-being initiatives
- Strengthening community support systems
- Promoting digital well-being and healthy technology habits
- Addressing loneliness, stress and social isolation
- Improving access to preventive healthcare and early interventions
- Encouraging healthy lifestyles and community well-being
- Exploring responsible applications of technology and AI to support human flourishing
Environmental Concerns: Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilient Communities
(SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 – Climate Action; SDG 15 – Life on Land)
How might we build communities that are more sustainable, resilient and environmentally conscious?
Possible areas include:
- Climate adaptation and resilience strategies
- Water conservation and responsible resource use
- Sustainable waste management, recycling and circular economy initiatives
- Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration
- Community-led environmental stewardship
- Sustainable consumption and production practices
- Technology-enabled solutions for environmental sustainability
Infrastructural Challenges: Smart, Inclusive & Connected Communities
(SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities)
How might we design systems, spaces and services that work better for everyone?
Possible areas include:
- Sustainable urban transport and mobility solutions
- Smart and accessible public spaces
- Affordable and eco-friendly housing initiatives
- Strengthening digital access and connectivity
- Designing inclusive environments and experiences
- Leveraging innovation to improve civic infrastructure
- Building more resilient and equitable communities
Responsible Innovation & Technology for Good
(SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
How might innovation and emerging technologies help us imagine and build a better future?
Possible areas include:
- Ethical and responsible applications of Artificial Intelligence
- Human-centred digital experiences
- Technology-enabled solutions for social impact
- Responsible data use, transparency and accountability
- Digital trust, privacy and online safety
- Innovations that strengthen communities and expand access to opportunity
- Designing technologies that enhance human agency, well-being and inclusion
CMC 2026-2027 – Key Dates
| Event | Date | Timing |
| Announcement of CMC 2026-2027 | Friday 10 July 2026 | |
| CMC 2026-2027 Ideation Workshop | Wednesday 22 July 2026 | 5 to 6:30pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 First Submission of Project Ideas | Tuesday 11 August 2026 | |
| CMC 2026-2027 Project Refinement Workshop for all teams that submit a project idea | Thursday 20 August 2026 | 5 to 7pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 Refinement & Final Submission of Project Ideas | Tuesday 25 August 2026 | |
| CMC 2026-2027 Announcement of Round 2 Teams | Thursday 3 September 2026 | |
| CMC 2026-2027 Pitch Building Workshop | Tuesday 8 September 2026 | 5 to 7pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 Effective Presentations Workshop | Wednesday 9 September 2026 | 5 to 6:30pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 Round 2 Presentations | Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 September 2026 | 8am to 3pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 Announcement of Round 3 Teams | Thursday 15 October 2026 | |
| CMC 2026-2027 Refining Prototype Workshop | Wednesday 28 October 2026 | 5 to 7pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 Round 3 Presentations | Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 December 2026 | 8am to 3pm |
| CMC 2026-2027 Announcement fo Top Teams | Friday 15 January 2026 |
FAQs
Do we need prior experience with AI?
Can we use AI tools like ChatGPT?
Are solutions digital, physical, or a combination of both?
Can we apply as individuals?
Will we get support if shortlisted?
Contact Info
Reach us at: changemakers@inventureacademy.com
Our Core Purpose
Empower learners to realise their full potential, ignite change and create positive impact.
