Wadhwani Foundation
Transforming India’s Future
Scaling Jobs through Entrepreneurship, Skilling, and Innovation
Creating 10 Lakh New Jobs by 2030
India’s future hinges on its ability to empower millions through job creation, skilling, and fostering innovation. Wadhwani Foundation is leading this charge, committed to scaling initiatives that will create over 10 lakh new living-wage jobs and enable an additional one crore jobs by 2030. Through strategic partnerships with the Indian government and various institutions, the foundation is building a National Jobs Platform focused on entrepreneurship, skilling, and job placement, driven by advanced technology and innovation.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Job Creation
The foundation’s mission, “Create Jobs, Change Lives,” is reflected in its wide-ranging approach. Platforms such as the National Skills Platform, the National Entrepreneur Platform, and the National Placement Platform address key employment and business sector needs. Powered by the proprietary mobile first and AI-driven technology platform GenieAI, these platforms offer a combination of AI-tools and human expertise, including personalized guidance, expert masterclasses, and interactive resources. This ensures that job seekers, new-age entrepreneurs, and small and micro-businesses are equipped with the tools, resources, and connections they need to thrive and realize their full potential.
Accelerating Innovation with Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN)
Another major initiative is the Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN), which focuses on translating university research into impactful innovations that drive deep-tech products, startups and economic growth. In collaboration with leading research institutes, WIN is supporting high-impact programs in AI, synthetic biology, quantum computing, healthtech, spacetech, etc.
Key Meetings with Prime Minister Modi in 2023 & 2024
In 2023 and very recently in September 2024, Wadhwani Foundation’s Founder & Chairman, Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, and President & CEO Dr. Ajay Kela, met with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to discuss the foundation’s impactful work in skilling, entrepreneurship, innovation, and government digital transformation. These pivotal discussions laid the groundwork for launching key initiatives aimed at accelerating change at a national scale.
Post-Meeting Initiatives to Scale Impact
Following the 2023 meeting, the foundation deployed Chief-AI Digital Officer (CAIDO) teams in key ministries, including MoA, MoWCD, MoE, and MEITY. These teams are tasked with defining AI vision, roadmaps and executing high-impact AI projects in each of the key ministries.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), the Foundation is also developing AI-powered content for FPO farmers and managers and plans to introduce an ‘mini-MBA’ program for FPO managers, leveraging successful cooperative practices. Additional initiatives include empowering Kirana stores, women’s Self-Help Groups with customized micro-entrepreneurship programs.
Looking Ahead in 2024: Building the Backbone of the National Jobs Platform
Wadhwani Foundation, in partnership with the government, is integrating its platforms along with existing State and Central Govt platforms to form the backbone of a proposed National Jobs Platform. This initiative will help create living-wage jobs and millions of Indians access better job opportunities, enhance their skills, and improve their livelihoods. By leveraging AI-powered solutions and a network of experts, the platform will democratize access to job creation, skilling, and placement services, benefiting entrepreneurs, students, micro-businesses, and more.
Also in discussion are a multilingual, AI-powered Citizen Services Platform to provide essential information, eligibility checks, and grievance lodging services for government schemes, and a National Platform for Micro-Entrepreneurship, which aims to empower 3-5 million micro-entrepreneurs to potentially create an additional 5 million jobs.
Wadhwani Foundation is building a future where millions of Indians can access better opportunities, driven by innovation, technology, and collaboration. With every new initiative, the foundation is transforming lives and shaping India’s path toward sustained growth and prosperity.
Explore detailed insights
Changing Lives
Prestigious Padma Shri award for Romesh Wadhwani
Govt. of India announced on 25.01.2020 that Romesh Wadhwani, Founder and Chairman, Wadhwani Foundation and Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Symphony AI is being conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award 2020.
True generosity is about changing the lives of others. I chose to create a Foundation focused on accelerating job creation – Dr. Romesh Wadhwani
Dr. Wadhwani addressed the Diamond Jubilee convocation of IIT Bombay after receiving the Doctor of Science degree (Honoris Causa) in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
Dr. Wadhwani has devoted his life to connecting technology with social welfare needs – Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi
The Prime Minister was speaking on the occasion of IIT Bombay’s 56th convocation (Diamond Jubilee Year) on 11.08.2018 where Dr. Wadhwani was conferred the prestigious degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Prof. Devang. V. Khakhar, Director, IIT Bombay.