Draft:Wadhwani Foundation

Wadhwani Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in India that operates on an international scale enhancing economic growth in emerging economies. It fosters the creation of jobs through comprehensive initiatives in entrepreneurship and skill development by working closely with an extensive network of partners, including governments, educational institutions, corporates, mentors, industry experts, investors, NGOs and industry associations. Additionally, the organization aims to create widespread societal impact by backing the digitization of government services and enabling commercialization of academic innovations. The Foundation operates across various countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

History
Established in 2000 by Romesh Wadhwani, who also is the chairman, the Wadhwani Foundation has operated globally for more than two decades. As a nonprofit organization, the company’s mission is to expedite job growth and empowering millions to attain a family-sustaining income.

2001

 * Launched Wadhwani Foundation in India
 * Commenced Entrepreneurship initiative

2011

 * Commenced Skilling initiative

2012

 * Kickstarted Innovation & Research initiative

2014

 * Commenced Government Digital Transformation initiative
 * Expanded to Indonesia

2016

 * Moved to East Africa and the Philippines

2017

 * Commenced in Bangladesh and Latin America

2018

 * Expanded to MENA and West Africa

2020

 * Launched the ‘Sahayata’ initiative in response to the Covid-19 crisis to assist Small and
 * Medium Businesses and Public Health workers

2021

 * Launched Skilling Academy (earlier known as Wadhwani Institute of Technology & Policy)

2022

 * Partnered with VMentor.ai to set up MSME incubator

2023

 * Launched CSIS Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies

Funding
The Foundation takes no external funding. It is solely funded by the philanthropy of its Founder Dr. Romesh Wadhwani. Dr. Wadhwani has committed to donating 80% of his wealth to the Foundation.

Wadhwani Foundation Programs and Initiatives
The Foundation has four core initiatives and multiple programs under each initiative:

Entrepreneurship

 * 1) Ignite (for students entrepreneurs):
 * 2) * Objective: Inspire students towards an entrepreneurial mindset and career.
 * 3) LIftoff (for startups):
 * 4) * Objective: Tailored guidance to ensure startups survive and thrive.
 * 5) Accelerate (for small businesses):
 * 6) * Objective: Enable businesses to identify growth opportunities, develop plans, and accelerate growth.

Skilling

 * 1) Employability Skills (for job-seekers & employers):
 * 2) * Objective: Upskills the vulnerable with workplace and in-demand business skills.
 * 3) Business Skills (for job-seekers & employers):
 * 4) * Objective: Upskills students for sector-specific roles such as retail, healthcare and hospitality.

Innovation & research

 * 1) Wadhwani Research Center for Biotechnology:
 * 2) * Objective: Research center in bioengineering at IIT Bombay driving the commercialization of academic research.
 * 3) Wadhwani AI:
 * 4) * Objective: Building and deploying AI solutions for social good.
 * 5) Wadhwani Electronic Laboratory:
 * 6) * Objective: Experiential Lab at IIT Bombay to build impactful innovations in electronic systems and replicate the model across other Institutes.

Government Digital Transformation

 * 1) Wadhwani Center for Government Digital Transformation (for government officials):
 * 2) * Objective: Upskill and hand-hold Govt organizations to accelerate population-scale projects through skilling academy, incubation center and advising on policy issues.

Global Board of Directors

 * Dr. Romesh Wadhwani Founder and Chairman Global Board of Directors India
 * Dr. Ajay Kela President and Chief Executive Office

India Board of Advisors

 * Harsh Mariwala, Founder and Chairman, Marico
 * Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Info Edge
 * Ganesh Krishnan, Chairman, Portea Medical
 * Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, Data Security Council of India & ICRIER
 * Musthafa P.C. CEO & Co-founder, iD Fresh Food

Externa links
Chairman of AICTE Inaugurated Bootcamp Phase II on “Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship (IDE)” at Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches Employability Skills Enhancement Program in Delhi

In step with the evolving global landscape of skills - Hindustan Times

Govt launches Skill India Digital to revolutionize skill development for Indian youth | DD News

Google.org releases grants for Wadhwani AI and CyberPeace Foundation

Government college students in Karnataka to get free spoken English coaching

Staying ahead of the employability curve