One of the most energetic sessions at the Vegan India Conference 2026 was the Kickstarting for Good (K4G) Pitch Competition, facilitated by the ProVeg India team. Bringing together emerging changemakers from across the country, the competition provided a platform for participants to present ideas aimed at creating a positive impact for animals, people, and the planet.
The session began with a special walk down memory lane by Shreya Ghodawat, who generously shared her journey as a sustainability enthusiast and her experience as a K4G alumni. Shreya spoke about how she first learned about K4G, what motivated her to apply, and how the programme helped shape her thinking and ambitions.
For many aspiring applicants in the audience, her story demonstrated how an early-stage idea can develop through mentorship, collaboration, and dedicated support.
This year’s competition featured participants presenting ten different ideas. The range of proposals reflected the creativity and diversity of India’s growing plant-based and animal advocacy ecosystem. Throughout the session, audience members listened attentively and actively participated in the voting process.
After a series of impressive presentations, three ideas emerged as the audience favourites.
First place was awarded to Luma Institute, founded by Narhari Gupta. The initiative focuses on training chefs and hospitality professionals in plant-based innovation and sustainable food systems. By equipping culinary professionals with practical skills and knowledge, Luma Institute aims to help build a climate-smart and future-ready hospitality sector that can respond to changing consumer needs and sustainability challenges.
Second place went to Ahimsa Ki Pathshala by Dr. Rupa Shah. The project seeks to train dedicated Ahimsa teachers in schools across India who can help nurture values of kindness, compassion, and empathy among future generations. The vision is that these lessons extend beyond classrooms, influencing families and communities and creating broader cultural change over time.
Third place was awarded to SentiLens AI, developed by Shreesh Pandey. The initiative explores the use of AI-powered tools in investigations and visual journalism to uncover realities within food systems, support investigators, and strengthen animal advocacy efforts through technology-enabled storytelling and evidence gathering.
While only three projects received prizes, the competition demonstrated the depth of talent, passion, and creativity present across all the participants. Each idea offered a unique perspective on how innovation can contribute to a more compassionate and sustainable future.
As the audience filtered out of the packed room following the final announcements, one thing was clear: the future of plant-based innovation and animal advocacy in India is being shaped by a new generation of ambitious and thoughtful changemakers.
