By Staff Correspondent
There’s a palpable buzz of excitement in the corridors of India’s leading universities and start-up hubs—Boeing has just unveiled the latest winners of its flagship University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) Program for 2024-25! Now in its fourth successful edition, BUILD is rapidly asserting itself as a powerhouse platform that not only rewards brilliant ideas but also propels them into reality, fuelling the dreams of young students and entrepreneurs in India’s ever-evolving innovation landscape.
This time, Boeing’s BUILD program witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm, smashing its records with over 2,000 entries from more than 2,700 students and emerging entrepreneurs spanning the width and breadth of India—from metros to tier 2 and 3 cities. What a remarkable testament to the country’s vibrant and inclusive startup ecosystem! After a rigorous and inspiring selection journey, seven outstanding teams—Thrustworks Dynetics, Nexus Power, Extrive Innovations, Qualivon Technologies, Rapha Bionics, HyPrix Aviation, and Trishul Space—emerged as champions, ready to take their path-breaking ideas further with the guidance of Boeing and a league of reputed incubator partners.
The spotlight at the grand BIETC campus in Bengaluru shone brightly, not just on these innovators but on everyone dedicated to nurturing India’s entrepreneurial spirit. Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India and South Asia, aptly remarked on how BUILD stands as a reflection of the aspirations of India’s burgeoning start-up community. By providing mentorship, resources, and financial backing—a generous INR 10 lakh to each winning idea—BUILD doesn’t just recognize talent; it empowers innovators to solve real-world challenges in aerospace, technology, sustainability, and social impact.
What truly sets BUILD apart is its collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with leading incubators such as IIT Mumbai’s SINE, IIT Delhi’s FITT, IIT Gandhinagar’s Innovation Center, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, IISC Bengaluru’s FSID, T-Hub Hyderabad, and KIIT Bhubaneshwar’s TBI. This synergy brings together a knowledge pool spanning experienced Boeing engineers to local ecosystem experts, ensuring that creative sparks ignite into feasible, scalable, and impactful ventures.
Stacie Sire, VP and MD of BIETC and Boeing India’s Chief Engineer, summed it up perfectly: BUILD is more than a competition—it’s a transformative journey. Participants have the unique opportunity to interact directly with Boeing technologists, receiving the kind of mentorship that can turn any early-stage concept into a solution poised for the market.
As we celebrate this year’s BUILD winners, let’s also laud Boeing’s ongoing commitment to nurturing Indian talent through programs like HorizonX India Innovation Challenge, national aeromodelling competitions, and intensive apprenticeship initiatives. It’s clear that Boeing doesn’t just dream of the future—it’s actively building it, one bright mind at a time.
With its record-breaking numbers, remarkable partners, and an ever-expanding vision, the BUILD program is more than just an incubator; it’s a movement. The world should watch this space closely, because with platforms like BUILD, India’s next wave of innovators are already preparing for lift-off!
