Melton Foundation India joins hands with the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025

Melton Foundation India is proud to be a partner of the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025, in collaboration with the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood (SDEL), Government of Karnataka, and with the support of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Bangalore and Women in Engineering. 

Envisioned as Karnataka’s premier platform for workforce development, the Bengaluru Skill Summit seeks to evolve into a landmark event. The 2025 edition will bring together stakeholders from across the skilling ecosystem, government leaders, industry experts, global organisations, educators, training providers, and youth  to develop and drive actionable strategies for reskilling, upskilling, digital transformation, and employability in emerging sectors. The event will highlight the state’s achievements, showcase best practices, and facilitate cross-sectoral and inter-institutional dialogue on emerging challenges and opportunities.

As part of this collaboration, Melton Foundation India is organizing Skillathon 2025, a national innovation challenge that invites college students from across India to reimagine the country’s skilling and employment ecosystem. Skillathon provides a dynamic platform where young people engage in an intensive innovation marathon, developing practical and creative solutions to real-world challenges in vocational education and employment. Participants collaborate in teams, applying problem-solving, design thinking, and innovation skills to create actionable solutions that enhance India’s readiness for the future of work. The initiative fosters creativity, teamwork, and strategic thinking while addressing pressing issues in the skill development ecosystem. It aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Formalizing the Partnership: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing

The partnership for Skillathon 2025 was formally established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Melton Foundation India and the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka. The MoU was signed by Harsha M Krishna, Director of Melton Foundation India, and Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Skill Development and Livelihood.

This MoU marks a key milestone in the collaboration, setting a framework for joint initiatives that empower youth, support innovation, and strengthen Karnataka’s skilling ecosystem. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to creating opportunities where students can directly engage with real-world challenges, access mentorship from global and national experts, and contribute to building a workforce that is inclusive, future-ready, and aligned with the  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Through this partnership, Melton Foundation India brings its global expertise in youth leadership, social innovation, and experiential learning to guide Skillathon 2025 participants in designing actionable, high-impact solutions.

A Platform for Youth Innovation

Skillathon 2025 is structured in two phases, designed to provide students with a hands-on, experiential journey in problem-solving and innovation. We have 248 teams registered for the preliminary round, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and talent across the state.

The virtual round invites teams of undergraduate and postgraduate students from across India to submit two-page concept notes addressing one of five challenge areas:

• Integrating vocational education

• Technology for scale

• Inclusive pathways

• Sustainable financing

• Global opportunities for youth

Submissions are evaluated on innovation, feasibility, impact, and clarity, providing students with feedback and guidance to refine their ideas. Top teams are selected to participate in the in-person finals at the Bengaluru Skill Summit.

The final round is a full-day Skillathon, structured to follow the stages of design thinking in a collaborative, high-impact environment. Participants:

• Empathise with users and stakeholders to understand the problem deeply

• Define the core challenges to focus on practical solutions

• Ideate and generate creative, actionable ideas

• Consolidate their approach with support from mentors and industry experts

• Pitch their final solution to a distinguished jury of policymakers, academics, and industry leaders

Finalist teams compete for a ₹50,000 prize pool, gain access to mentorship opportunities, receive certificates, and have their solutions recognized during the Bengaluru Skill Summit closing ceremony. Exceptional ideas are featured in the Summit’s Knowledge Compendium, ensuring visibility for student-led innovation across India.

Partnerships Driving Impact

Skillathon 2025 highlights the power of collaboration between public institutions, international networks, and industry partners.

Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood (SDEL), Government of Karnataka
SDEL plays a leading role in equipping Karnataka’s youth with the skills and opportunities needed for meaningful employment. Through initiatives such as the Bengaluru Skill Summit and Skillathon, the department promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity across the state.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
IEEE provides technical mentorship and access to global best practices in technology and innovation. Their expertise ensures that Skillathon participants can engage with cutting-edge approaches and tools that strengthen their solutions.

WIE (Women in Engineering)
WIE, the global network within IEEE, focuses on promoting gender diversity and women’s participation in STEM fields. Through mentorship, resources, and outreach, WIE supports students in developing innovative, inclusive, and scalable solutions during Skillathon 2025.

Melton Foundation India
Melton Foundation India, a subsidiary of the global Melton Foundation, spearheads initiatives in global citizenship, youth leadership, and social innovation in Bangalore, India.

This collaboration exemplifies the value of combining local expertise, global perspectives, and youth innovation to address real-world challenges in skilling and employability.

Looking Ahead

Skillathon 2025 demonstrates the potential of partnerships to create meaningful opportunities for youth innovation and skill development. By providing a structured platform for experimentation, dialogue, and mentorship, the initiative empowers students to develop solutions with lasting social and economic impact.

As finalists prepare to present their projects at the Bengaluru Skill Summit on 5 November 2025, the Melton Foundation celebrates the creativity, energy, and vision of India’s youth. Every idea generated through Skillathon contributes to a future of work that is inclusive, sustainable, and full of opportunity.