Govt, Netflix join hands to spotlight social innovation through ‘Inspiring Innovators’

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, has partnered with Netflix to launch Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan , a skilling-led storytelling initiative aimed at highlighting socially relevant innovation while strengthening India’s creative and innovation ecosystems in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat .

Developed under the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity and implemented in partnership with Graphiti Studios, the initiative brings together Indian start-ups and young creative talent to showcase indigenous solutions to real-world challenges through eight short animated films. The programme combines hands-on skilling with storytelling to build practical capabilities among students while amplifying home-grown innovations for wider audiences.

The eight films feature start-ups identified through the Manthan platform of the Office of the PSA, a national digital backbone that curates and connects high-impact innovations with opportunities for scale. The featured innovations address a broad range of social challenges, including mobility solutions for persons with disabilities, AI-enabled assistive technologies for the visually impaired, affordable healthcare devices for cancer survivors, marine safety and ocean security, climate-resilient and water-efficient agriculture, technology-driven urban waste management, carbon capture solutions to reduce industrial emissions, and sustainable fertilisers derived from agricultural and industrial waste.

The films were created by students from eight universities across India, including the National Institute of Design, Chitkara University and the Satyajit Ray Institute of Film and Television. Voiceovers were recorded by participants from Voicebox , a Netflix skilling initiative run in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation. An original anthem for the programme was performed by students from the Shankar Mahadevan Academy, adding a cultural dimension to the initiative.

A total of 26 students participated in the programme, with women accounting for 50 per cent of the cohort. Several participants came from Tier-2 cities , reflecting the initiative’s focus on expanding access to skilling opportunities beyond metropolitan centres. The students received industry-oriented training and real-world exposure through mentorship from experts at NID Ahmedabad and Graphiti Studios.

Addressing the event, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan said India’s deep-rooted storytelling tradition, combined with a strengthening intellectual property ecosystem, presents an opportunity for creators to take Indian stories to global audiences. He said initiatives such as Inspiring Innovators demonstrate how creativity and emerging technologies can be applied in service of society, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating in India for the world.

Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Kumar Sood said the initiative was designed to highlight innovation with social relevance while strengthening skill and knowledge pathways. By connecting start-ups, students and industry mentors, he said, the programme reflects a holistic approach to building India’s innovation ecosystem by linking policy intent with talent development and real-world application.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju said India is witnessing strong, purpose-driven innovation aimed at solving everyday challenges. He described the initiative as a powerful example of how storytelling can evolve beyond content creation into a platform for skilling and empowerment, particularly as the creative sector enters an era shaped by AI-led narratives .

Netflix India Director for Global Affairs Mahima Kaul said the company remains committed to the skilling and upskilling of India’s young creative community, adding that Inspiring Innovators reflects a shared focus on recognising and supporting innovation that delivers tangible social value.

The eight animated films produced under the initiative are available for viewing on Netflix India’s YouTube channel .