1M1B Foundation Launches Green Skills And Applied AI Centre Of Excellence In Bengaluru

The 1M1B Foundation (One Million for One Billion), in collaboration with Microsoft, the MeitY Startup Hub, and the Government of Karnataka, today inaugurated the first Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in developing a future-ready, climate-skilled youth workforce for India.

The CoE was inaugurated by Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, along with Somanna Palacanda, Microsoft Elevate International Field Leader; Chintamani Padmanabhan, Sr. Director, Global Partner Enablement, CE&S, Microsoft; Manju Dhasmana, Sr. Director, Microsoft Elevate-CSR India; and Manav Subodh, Founder, 1M1B. Senior officials from the Government of Karnataka and Microsoft were also present at the event.

This Bengaluru CoE is the first of five Centres of Excellence to be established under the Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action program by 1M1B and Microsoft, in collaboration with the MeitY Startup Hub, which aims to scale green skilling and applied AI-led climate innovation. The program aims to skill 100,000 youth by 2030, starting with 20,000 youth in the first year, with at least 10,000 participants gaining access to jobs, internships, apprenticeships, project-based gigs, and other livelihood opportunities, creating a strong pipeline of climate-ready talent for India’s green economy.

Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, said: “The Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action Centre of Excellence (CoE) is a world-class facility that will bring to life the technological ideas, innovations, and aspirations of our technical education students. This marks a new chapter in Karnataka’s higher education ecosystem. As part of the state’s commitment to employment-oriented education, our government institutions are placing strong emphasis on skill development. This Centre of Excellence will significantly expand career pathways and create meaningful employment opportunities for students.”

Speaking at the launch of the CoE, Somanna Palacanda, Microsoft Elevate International Field Leader, said: “Climate change is a real and pressing issue. Now, with the innovation and scale of generative AI, it has created capabilities to solve some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Initiatives like Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action in Bengaluru, led by 1M1B in collaboration with Microsoft and the MeitY Startup Hub, are vital. We are pleased to support the vision of the Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka to establish the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence, which will help youth get trained in AI and green skills and enable jobs that youth want to pursue with passion and purpose.”

Speaking at the launch of the CoE, Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B, said: “The Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action program reflects our shared commitment to nurture India’s youth as climate problem-solvers and innovation leaders towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, while creating scalable models that can be replicated across states and extended to the Global South.”

With distinct zones for solar, EV, wind energy, and AI, the CoE will function as a state-of-the-art hub for climate talent development and climate tech innovation, empowering youth from Karnataka to work on real-world challenges through hands-on training, applied AI projects, and innovation cohorts. Top participants will be provided access to incubation and go-to-market pathways, internships with climate-tech startups, and other advanced opportunities, strengthening employability and entrepreneurship outcomes.

Through the CoEs, a Problem Solvers Registry comprising top young climate innovators from the country will be created, providing governments access to top climate talent who can innovate for state-level and national-level problem statements towards a Viksit Bharat.