Indian Innovation Icons (previously known as 'Innovation for India Awards') is MIF’s biennial awards platform that aims to showcase and celebrate currently hidden, potentially game-changing Indian innovations. 2025 marks the 10th edition of the sought-after platform, offering winners a getaway to recognition, valuable connections, and mentorship.
2025
Business
Astrome Technologies is a deep-tech startup transforming global connectivity with cutting-edge wireless solutions. It specialises in millimetre-wave technologies, and through its innovative multi-beam E-band technology, delivers high-speed, affordable broadband to remote and underserved areas. This innovation bridges the digital divide by eliminating the need for extensive fibre optic networks.
Astrome’s path-breaking technology enhances communications for enterprises, defence, and smart cities, driving digital transformation while enabling governments and telecom operators to cost-effectively expand quality broadband. Its pioneering Gigamesh technology enables multiple high-capacity links through a single device, improving connectivity 10x and positioning them as a leader in both satellite and terrestrial communication.
Astrome’s broadband solutions make connectivity sustainable by minimising land disruption and resource consumption associated with fibre optic deployment. Seamless internet access in rural regions fosters education, healthcare, and economic growth, establishing Astrome as a catalyst for technological and social progress.
Business
Skyroot Aerospace is at the forefront of India’s private space revolution, developing cost-effective, reliable, and reusable launch vehicles. As the first Indian private company to build a fully 3D-printed cryogenic engine, the startup is democratising space access for satellite deployments by small operators, research institutions, and businesses, fostering innovation across diverse sectors like climate monitoring, disaster management, and advanced communication networks.
Skyroot Aerospace is unique for its ability to develop lightweight, modular launch systems for affordability and performance, evident in its cutting-edge Vikram series rockets designed for rapid manufacturing, flexible launches, and reduced costs. Its emphasis on reusable technology ensures sustainability in space exploration, minimising launch waste and optimising resource use.
Skyroot Aerospace’s commitment to innovation strengthens India’s space self-reliance and drives economic growth and national security by creating high-skilled jobs and fostering indigenous research, ultimately positioning India as a formidable force in the global space economy.
Business
Indra Water is revolutionising wastewater management with its innovative, decentralised treatment solutions that enhance water recycling efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Leveraging its patented ElectroX technology, Indra Water employs a chemical-free electro-coagulation process for industrial and sewage wastewater, drastically reducing space needs by 90% and operational costs by 40%. Automation and real-time monitoring ensure scalable, seamless water treatment solutions across industries, municipalities, and commercial entities.
In contrast to conventional energy and space intensive systems, Indra Water’s modular, plug-and-play design allows for rapid deployment even in tight spaces and makes wastewater treatment, water savings, and norm compliance viable for both large and small scale applications. The startup’s innovation significantly impacts water conservation and public health by treating over two billion litres of wastewater and reducing thousands of tons of harmful pollutants, shaping a sustainable future.
Business
Chara Technologies is transforming electric mobility with its rare-earth magnet-free Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRM), providing a sustainable, cost-effective, and high-performance alternative to India’s EV and industrial motor sectors. By eliminating dependence on expensive and environmentally harmful rare-earth magnets, its innovative motors are enhancing self-reliance and resilience among these industries.
SynRM’s unique outer rotor design delivers 90-94% efficiency and reduces costs by over 30% while offering affordability, scalability, and a 30% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional permanent magnet motors. Rigorous testing across 5,000+ kilometres ensures superior performance and durability for EVs, industrial automation, and agricultural machinery.
The startup is driving economic and environmental change by supporting India’s shift to clean mobility and sustainable manufacturing, enabling industries to transition toward net-zero emissions. As the demand for electric mobility grows, Chara Technologies is shaping the future with technology that is efficient, eco-friendly, and empowers businesses and communities with solutions for long-term sustainability.
Social
AssisTech Foundation, India’s first assistive technology accelerator, champions innovation, inclusion, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Through its flagship accelerator programme, assistive tech startups are supported in designing mobility, communication, and independent living solutions, driving large-scale impact. To date, 54 startups have been nurtured over six cohorts.
The organisation’s unique multi-stakeholder approach promotes collaboration between startups, corporations, policymakers, NGOs, and initiatives such as NITI Aayog’s Atal Incubation Centre, empowering India’s assistive tech ecosystem to develop scalable and affordable solutions. With the creation of 110+ assistive tech products, 59 patents, and fundraising of over INR 80 crores, the accelerator demonstrates that innovation can drive inclusion.
AssisTech Foundation goes beyond developing assistive tech innovations. By advocating for corporate accessibility programmes, policy reforms, and skill development initiatives, it ensures real access to innovations, impacting over 9.1 lakh individuals to date.
Social
People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI) is a unique digital platform preserving and amplifying rural India’s diverse voices. Focusing on storytelling across 26 categories, including agriculture, labour, culture, and environment, PARI archives rural realities through multimedia archives in 15 languages, bridging information gaps and challenging urban-centric narratives.
PARI’s open-source, volunteer-driven model empowers grassroots reporters, filmmakers, and researchers to capture and present untold stories with exceptional authenticity. The PARI Library offers free access to a wide pool of archives and valuable resources, benefitting researchers, students, and policymakers.
Beyond storytelling, PARI shapes rural journalism, education, and awareness. By partnering with over 180 organisations, it is expanding the reach of rural narratives and inspiring similar initiatives globally. The PARI Education initiative has conducted 100+ workshops to deepen understanding of rural India. With 2.5 million annual viewers, PARI actively preserves, shares and celebrates India’s vanishing traditions, languages, and histories worldwide.
Social
Rocket Learning is revolutionising early childhood education by bridging the gap between parents, teachers, and communities through technology-driven learning solutions. Utilising popular platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube, it delivers play-based, curriculum-aligned, and engaging content to millions of underserved children, fostering foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
Rocket Learning’s multi-stakeholder approach integrates Anganwadi workers, teachers, and caregivers to drive lasting behavioural change. AI-driven engagement tools track participation, provide feedback, and encourage consistent learning. Digital nudges and gamified incentives boost engagement, increasing children’s school readiness by 70%.
Rocket Learning is shaping policy in collaboration with the Indian government, NITI Aayog, and 10 state governments. Pro bono programme management and curriculum design initiatives are transforming Early Childhood Care and Education. Impacting over three million parents and children across 140 districts, Rocket Learning is ensuring that every child, regardless of background, gets a strong start in life.
Global Gamechanger
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is revolutionising India’s financial ecosystem by enabling seamless, secure, and scalable digital payment solutions. Established by the Reserve Bank of India and the Indian Banks’ Association, NPCI has been pivotal in India’s transition to a less-cash economy through innovations like Unified Payments Interface (UPI), RuPay, Immediate Payment Service, Aadhaar Enabled Payment System, and National Electronic Toll Collection.
The organisation uniquely drives financial inclusion by providing digital payment access to millions of unbanked individuals, with UPI accounting for over 80% of India’s digital transactions and delivering real-time, hassle-free, mobile-based banking to 350 million+ users across 630+ interconnected banks.
NPCI is redefining payments and shaping the future of digital finance by fostering economic growth, empowering small businesses, and promoting cashless transactions, thereby solidifying India’s global leadership in digital financial empowerment.
