Veni Rao Foundation endows ‘Tech for Social Good Challenge’ at ISB to drive futuristic models for social change

Hyderabad : The Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Veni Rao Foundation have partnered to launch the annual ‘Veni Rao Tech for Social Good Challenge’, an initiative aimed at sparking innovative solutions to pressing social challenges. Enabled by a generous endowment of ₹ 1 Crore by the foundation, the challenge will be hosted annually by ISB, drawing on its academic expertise to discover and support solutions with meaningful, scalable impact.

The initial focus of the challenge is on digital health innovations, with ISB’s Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM) spearheading this phase. The two organisations will foster ideas that leverage emerging technologies to address critical healthcare issues.

Building on the Veni Rao Foundation’s legacy of impactful healthcare initiatives—including surgical facilities and mobile health clinics across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka— the challenge will act as a platform for professionals, startups, and students to develop scalable solutions for underserved communities.

Ratna Reddy, Founder-Trustee of the Veni Rao Foundation and Founder of CHIREC International School emphasised the shared vision: “This partnership reflects our commitment to driving social impact through innovation. By engaging diverse stakeholders, the annual challenge will accelerate the development of practical solutions that improve lives in underserved communities.”

Professor Sarang Deo, Deputy Dean, Faculty & Research and Executive Director, Max Institute of Healthcare Management, ISB, highlighted the partnership’s significance: “There is a growing need to direct cross-functional teams to optimise the latest and emerging digital technologies in addressing pressing healthcare challenges. We are sure our partnership with the Veni Rao Foundation would go a long way in validating the innovations and measuring their impact on clinical and non-clinical outcomes.”