Mumbai, April 26: Social Venture Partners India (SVP India) successfully hosted its annual flagship event, Fast Pitch 2025, last evening—an inspiring celebration of grassroots innovation and community-driven change.
Broadcast live via YouTube, the event attracted approximately 4,400 participants from across India and generated an impressive ₹5.5 crore through online and offline contributions to advance nation-building initiatives.
Fast Pitch is not just another fundraising event; it is a unique platform where 10 outstanding NGOs, selected from 258 applicants, share the story of their work through a concise five-minute pitch. Each finalist underwent three months of intensive training with professional storytelling coaches and dedicated SVP India partners to sharpen their presentation skills and build confidence for a diverse, national audience.
A distinguished jury comprising Namita Thapar (Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.), Reshma Anand(Regional Director, Ford Foundation India), and Sridhar N E (Chief Sustainability Officer, Titan Company Ltd.) evaluated the final pitches.
Top Honours of the Evening
🥇 Gold Winner: Biome Environmental Trust
(Grant Awarded: ₹25 Lakhs)
Based in Bengaluru, Biome is tackling India’s urban water crisis by promoting sustainable water management and sanitation practices. Their “Million Wells for Bengaluru” initiative encourages rainwater harvesting through recharge wells, reducing urban flooding and enhancing groundwater reserves. With the grant, Biome plans to construct 10 additional wells, benefitting 1,500 households and extending their school outreach programs to another 1,500 students.
🥈 Silver Winner: Underprivileged Advancement by Youth (UPAY)
(Grant Awarded: ₹15 Lakhs)
Originating in Nagpur, UPAY delivers education directly to children in underserved areas through Footpathshaala and Reach & Teach—transforming streets into classrooms. With 46 centers across 10 cities and over 12,000 children reached, UPAY plans to expand by establishing 40 new centers and enrolling 2,000 more children within two years.
🥉 Bronze Winner: NudgED Trust
(Grant Awarded: ₹10 Lakhs)
Based in Delhi, NudgED addresses early childhood education gaps through its free app, Top Parent, offering simple and effective audio content in Hindi and Marathi. With 1.5 million downloads to date, the organization aims to reach 5 million families by 2027 and expand into Telugu, Kannada, and Gujarati languages.
Recognizing All Changemakers
Each of the remaining seven finalists received a ₹3 lakh grant as recognition for their outstanding work and dedication to grassroots impact.
Leadership Perspective
Speaking about the spirit of the event, Govind Iyer, Founding Board Member and All-India Chairperson of SVP India, said:
“Fast Pitch reminds us that transformational change is often driven by small, focused organisations deeply rooted in their communities. It’s inspiring to witness everyday citizens rally together, offering their time, trust, and resources. These are more than donations; they are investments in hope and a more equitable India.”
About SVP India
Social Venture Partners India (SVP India) is the country’s largest network of engaged philanthropists dedicated to building an equitable India through deep, structured collaboration with grassroots NGOs. With a network of 750+ compassionate individuals across eight major cities, SVP India leverages collective expertise, time, and resources to support over 200 NGOs, driving long-term social impact and innovation.
