Kohima: YouthNet stands among the top five finalists for the 17th Social Entrepreneur of the Year India 2026 Award. The Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship announced the selection in New Delhi. This recognition follows twenty years of operations in Nagaland.
YouthNet Director Nuneseno Chase represented the organization at the ceremony. Judges picked the finalists for their work in healthcare, agriculture, disability support, and youth empowerment. Nidhi Pant of S4S Technologies took home the top prize this year for her biotechnology work helping women farmers.
Chief Guest NK Singh praised the participants during the event. He described the finalists as "people who have made a difference in their lives, transcending barriers to build a more wholesome society" while urging more public support for local innovators.
Founded in 2006, YouthNet serves as a major incubator across the eight northeastern states. The group focuses on environmental education, entrepreneurship, and the Made in Nagaland brand. Chase credited the collective effort for the nomination. She stated, "This is not one person's achievement. It belongs to every entrepreneur, artisan and community YouthNet has walked alongside these past years, and to Nagaland itself."
Updated at 23rd August 2026 at 9:47am
The Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship operate as a sister organization of the World Economic Forum. Dr. François Bonnici, director of the Schwab Foundation, noted that this year's finalists show how social entrepreneurship tackles complex challenges through systems-level thinking, while Aashti Bhartia, director of Jubilant Ingrevia, highlighted the conviction and resilience of those selected.
The SEOY award provides winners with access to mentorship and networks designed to scale their impact. This recognition marks a series of milestones for the organization in 2026, marking Nagaland as a key player in the country's social innovation movement.
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