“Bengaluru has given me so much over the years, and this is my way of supporting…”– Says Nikhil Kamath as he Distributes 10 Lakhs Each to Namma Bengaluru Challenge Winners!

UnboxingBLR Foundation and Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund recently revealed the five winners of the Namma Bengaluru Challenge, each receiving a ₹10 lakh grant to bring their innovative and sustainable ideas to life. The grants aim to address Bengaluru’s key urban challenges and contribute to the city’s transformation. The announcement was made at the Futures Conference, held at the Bangalore International Centre as part of BLR Hubba. During the event, WTFund owner Nikhil Kamath expressed his vision for the initiative, highlighting the importance of empowering changemakers to drive meaningful solutions and make a lasting impact on the city’s future.

Nikhil said, “Bengaluru has given me so much over the years, and this is my way of supporting those who are now standing where I was two decades ago. The Challenge is about bringing together people who care deeply about this city—those who aren’t content to sit on the sidelines but are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. A big thank you to everyone who participated. I’m genuinely excited to see how these ideas evolve and make a difference in the years to come.”

The UnboxingBLR Foundation and WTFund team selected 16 exceptional concepts from the more than 600 registrations received for the Namma Bengaluru Challenge, which was launched in November 2024. Eight teams with original, creative solutions were formed from these. Five outstanding teams were chosen as winners following thorough evaluations, and they were praised for their ground-breaking concepts intended to change Bengaluru’s metropolitan environment. The winners were selected not only for the uniqueness of their ideas but also for their track record of successfully putting them into practice, indicating a dedication to having a real influence on the expansion and advancement of the city.

The first non-dilutive grant fund in India, WTFund offers early-stage, sector-neutral grants to firms that are six to twelve months away from institutional funding in an effort to empower young entrepreneurs. The WTFund, which is led by investor Nikhil Kamath, supports entrepreneurs that are solving practical issues in fields like AI, space technology, energy transition, and health technology, enabling them to grow their ideas without facing immediate pressure to dilute them. By providing direct investment, mentorship, and a robust network focused on founders, WTFund seeks to close important gaps in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and develop a new generation of firms that have a positive social and economic effect.