Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and VIT University, Vellore, emerged as the top winners of V-Guard’s Big Idea 2025, a national competition celebrating innovative business and tech solutions.
Kochi: The 15th edition of Big Idea, V-Guard Industries Ltd.’s flagship national-level competition aimed at discovering emerging talent in business and engineering, concluded successfully in Kochi. The event showcased the creativity and problem-solving abilities of students across India, reaffirming V-Guard’s commitment to innovation and youth empowerment. In the Business Plan Competition, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar emerged as the winner, while VIT University, Vellore claimed the top spot in the Tech Design Competition. The grand award ceremony was held at Radisson Blu, Kochi, where V-Guard’s Managing Director Mithun K. Chittilappilly and Dr. Reena Mithun Chittilappilly felicitated the winners. George Muthoot Jacob, Independent Director, V-Guard Industries, graced the occasion as the chief guest.
The Business Plan Competition recognized IIM Jammu as the runner-up and IIM Lucknow as the second runner-up, with IIM Nagpur and Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies receiving special jury awards. In the Tech Design Competition, IIT Guwahati secured the runner-up position, while Muthoot Institute of Science and Technology finished as second runner-up. IIT BHU Varanasi and IIT Palakkad received special jury honors. The three-day competition focused on practical, scalable solutions aligned with V-Guard’s vision of reimagining household appliances and technologies. Categories in the Tech Design Competition included Re-imagining the Voltage Stabilizer, Re-inventing the Water Heater, Rethinking the Mixer Grinder, along with an Open Innovation track.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mithun K. Chittilappilly, Managing Director, V-Guard Industries Ltd., said:
“India is fast emerging as a global hub for innovation, manufacturing, and technology. With unprecedented investments and transformation shaping the industry, we firmly believe in the power of the next generation’s knowledge and creativity. The Big Idea competition is our platform to nurture fresh thinking, instill confidence, and celebrate the brightest young minds every year. Completing its 15th edition is a moment of pride for us.”
Winners of the Business Plan Competition received cash prizes of ₹3 lakh (first prize), ₹2 lakh (second prize), and ₹1 lakh (third prize). In the Tech Design Competition, the winners were awarded ₹1.5 lakh, ₹75,000, and ₹50,000, respectively. In addition, two special jury awards were presented in each category. All finalists also gained access to pre-placement interview opportunities, summer internships, and direct interactions with V-Guard’s leadership team, giving them a valuable platform to share and refine their ideas.
