Geneva, Switzerland: United People Global has named two Indian entrepreneurs among the 20 global finalists for the highly anticipated Diamonds Do Good Entrepreneurship Grant 2025. The winners will be announced at a global virtual event on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST.
The Diamonds Do Good Entrepreneurship Grant is a prestigious international initiative offering financial awards between $5,000 and $20,000 to entrepreneurs from diamond-producing countries.
The grant supports business leaders whose ventures create sustainable, positive social impact. Finalists are selected not only for their innovation but also for their commitment to community development.
Also Read: Gates Foundation Pledges USD 2.5 Billion to Advance Women-Centered Health Innovation by 2030
Diamonds Do Good Entrepreneurship Grant 2025: Meet the Indian Finalists
Karthikeyan Kuppusamy Saravanakumar – Founder and CEO of Veyyil Textile Innovations (Tirupur), is creating an AI-powered vision system to reverse-engineer knitted fabrics, improving the speed, accuracy, and sustainability of textile manufacturing.
Ryan Nadar – An aerospace engineering student developing dual-path sodium-ion battery technology to offer scalable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional lithium-ion energy storage systems.
Both are alumni of the UPG Biashara Learning Journey, a rigorous development program that provides entrepreneurs with skill-building, mentorship, and exposure. As finalists, they will also benefit from the UPG Biashara Action Journey, receiving continued support beyond the grant.
A Platform for Global Impact
This year’s 20 finalists of Diamonds Do Good Entrepreneurship Grant come from seven countries – India, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania – and span sectors such as energy, education, health, environment, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Finalists participated in a competitive “Shark Tank”-style pitch session before a live panel of experts and audience members, showcasing their ventures’ business models and social impact.
Also Read: Yali Capital Closes INR 893 Crore Deep Tech Fund, Backs India’s Innovation Surge
“The Diamonds Do Good Entrepreneurship Grant champions entrepreneurs from diamond-producing communities who are using the power of business to create meaningful, lasting change,” said Nancy Orem Lyman, Executive Director of Diamonds Do Good. “By supporting those closest to the source of natural diamonds, we invest in local leadership and a sustainable future.”
“The Grant creates winners long before and long after the final announcements,” added Dr Yemi Babington-Ashaye, President of United People Global. “It supports not just the entrepreneurs, but the communities and industries they impact.”
The final event is free to attend and can be accessed by registering at https://upglive.org/upgbiashara-events-rsvp
About Diamonds Do Good
Founded in 2006 and inspired by Nelson Mandela, Diamonds Do Good is a global non-profit dedicated to telling the positive stories of diamond communities and supporting transformative impact initiatives in regions where natural diamonds are sourced.
