New Delhi, August 22, 2026: Nidhi Pant, Co-Founder of Science For Society Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. (S4S) Technologies, has been named the recipient of the 17th Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY) Award India 2026. The award was presented by Jubilant Bhartia Foundation (JBF) and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a sister organisation of the World Economic Forum.
The award ceremony in New Delhi was attended by Shri N K Singh, Former Member, Rajya Sabha, and Former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission, Government of India, as Chief Guest, along with representatives from government, business, academia, philanthropy and civil society.
Pant was recognised for developing biotechnology-based solutions that convert waste into bio-based products and eco-friendly agricultural inputs. Through S4S Technologies, she has also worked to establish farm factories at the farmer’s field and support smallholder women farmers through sustainable agricultural practices, livelihood opportunities and market-linked rural entrepreneurship.
Addressing the gathering, Shri N K Singh said, “This is an admirable venture to award, recognise the diversity of people who have made a difference in their lives, transcending all the barriers to make a more wholesome society. All these are celebrations of change, of innovation ushering a better future. The five people whom we have awarded today are examples of unreasonable people who have sought to change the world in their multiple ways. We need to inspire trust in society to accept both success and not to stigmatise failure, and dramatically enhance the capability of research and development so that the five people whom we have awarded today can be multiplied in multiple ways. My congratulations to all the finalists and my gratitude to this foundation for nurturing this journey, which began 17 years ago, and has a great, exciting future ahead of it,” he said.
Dr François Bonnici, Director, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, said, “For seventeen years, our partnership with the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation has celebrated remarkable individuals who are challenging established norms and creating new pathways for inclusion, opportunity, and resilience. This year's finalists exemplify the power of social entrepreneurship to address complex societal challenges through innovation, collaboration, and systems-level thinking. Their work offers valuable lessons not only for India but for the wider global community.”
Mr Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman and Founder, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Founder Director, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, said, “The 17th edition of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award brings together a community united by a common purpose to create meaningful, sustainable and lasting social impact. Over the past 17 years, our partnership with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has helped recognise and amplify the work of remarkable social entrepreneurs across India. This year’s finalists embody the courage, persistence and innovation required to turn a vision into transformative change. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the promise of what lies ahead.”
The other finalists were Dr. Neha Verma of Intelehealth, Nuneseno Chase of YouthNet, Vinay Kumar Reddy Vadde of Sickle Innovations Pvt. Ltd., and Vineet Saraiwala of Atypical Advantage.Nidhi Pant Wins Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2026.
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