Union of Masters Introduces 'Bharat Innovators Scholarship' to Bolster Rural Innovation, with Sanjay Modi, founder of NearBook, Shark Tank India - Campus Special victor, being the initial grantee.
Masters' Union, a leading business and technology school in India, has announced the launch of the Bharat Innovators Scholarship, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting startup founders from non-metropolitan areas such as villages and smaller towns across the country [1][5].
The Bharat Innovators Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs residing in non-metropolitan areas. This scholarship provides full tuition waivers ranging from INR 30 lakh to INR 40 lakh per student, with up to five entrepreneurs being awarded each year [1][5]. The total financial commitment by Masters' Union is approximately INR 2 to 2.5 crore annually.
The scholarship is designed to support entrepreneurs by providing financial aid, institutional backing, and academic programs. This comprehensive support is intended to help founders scale their ventures while pursuing a postgraduate degree in technology and business management [1][5].
Eligibility for the scholarship is focused on grassroots innovators from India's heartland. Candidates must be actively involved in running a startup, with priority given to those lacking access to traditional opportunities like exposure, capital, and structured support [1]. Detailed eligibility criteria and application requirements can be found on the Masters' Union website.
Interested founders can apply through Masters’ Union's official admission channels. The process may involve submitting business plans, demonstrating startup traction, and academic credentials for enrollment in the Postgraduate Programme in Technology and Business Management. The scholarship is part of the Young Leaders Cohort at Masters' Union, so applicants should apply for this specific cohort to be considered [1].
The Bharat Innovators Scholarship acknowledges the entrepreneurial talent in tier II and III cities but addresses the missing support structures such as capital, exposure, and academic backing. Its purpose is to empower village and smaller-town entrepreneurs by combining education and execution, effectively nurturing the next generation of change-makers from India's non-metro regions [1][5].
The first recipient of the Bharat Innovators Scholarship is Sanjay Modi, founder of NearBook and a recent winner on Shark Tank India - Campus Special. This scholarship marks an important step in Masters' Union's mission to strengthen its position as a unique institution where academic excellence meets entrepreneurial execution [1].
With the Bharat Innovators Scholarship, Masters' Union aims to open doors for young visionaries from India's heartlands and help shape the next wave of innovators and change-makers [1]. For more information and to apply, candidates are encouraged to visit the Masters’ Union website or contact their admissions office.
[1] Masters' Union Press Release, July 2025 [5] The Economic Times, "Masters' Union Launches Scholarship for Grassroots Entrepreneurs," July 2025
- The Bharat Innovators Scholarship, announced by Masters' Union, offers an opportunity for grassroots innovators from India's non-metropolitan areas to receive financial aid, institutional backing, and academic programs, helping them scale their startups while pursuing a postgraduate degree in technology and business management.
- elite entrepreneurs residing in non-metropolitan areas can apply for the Bharat Innovators Scholarship, which provides full tuition waivers ranging from INR 30 lakh to INR 40 lakh per student, with up to five entrepreneurs being awarded each year.
- Masters' Union's mission is strengthened by the Bharat Innovators Scholarship, as it aims to nurture the next generation of change-makers from India's non-metro regions by addressing the missing support structures such as capital, exposure, and academic backing.
- The purpose of the Bharat Innovators Scholarship is to empower village and smaller-town entrepreneurs by combining education and execution, effectively bridging the gap for young visionaries from India's heartlands.
- This scholarship offers a unique blend of education, self-development, and mentorship, providing entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to grow their business and achieve personal growth.
- Success stories like Sanjay Modi, founder of NearBook and a recent winner on Shark Tank India - Campus Special, highlight the potential impact of the Bharat Innovators Scholarship on India's startup ecosystem, as it strives to fund, educate, and support the next wave of innovators and change-makers.