3 March 2026 – Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young minds across India with education, skill-oriented training, and career opportunities, has been listed on the National Stock Exchange of India’s Social Stock Exchange (SSE). This milestone represents an important step in expanding FUEL’s mission of youth development through transparent and impact-aligned funding.
The SSE listing will enable FUEL to scale its work across government schools and rural communities, empowering students and women through STEM education, future-ready skills such as AI and data science, soft skills, entrepreneurship development, and workforce integration initiatives.
FUEL’s entry into the Social Stock Exchange marks a significant achievement in its mission to bridge the gap between education and employability, particularly for first-generation learners and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Industry–Academia Co-Working Model
FUEL is building a unique co-working ecosystem where industry and academia function together under an integrated framework. As part of its vision to establish a SkillTech & Entrepreneurship University, corporates are partnering with FUEL to adopt and mentor individual schools within the university ecosystem. This approach aims to align curriculum, research, innovation, and employability with industry needs.
Five schools are being developed under this model with participation from leading industry partners. Notably, the School of Science has been adopted by Dr. Yusuf Hamied, Chairman of Cipla, reinforcing FUEL’s commitment to high-quality scientific education, research orientation, and real-world application.
This model ensures that industry partners act not only as supporters but as active academic collaborators, contributing to curriculum development, mentorship, innovation labs, internships, and employment pathways for students.
Dr. Ketan Deshpande, Founder & Chairman, FUEL, said:
“FUEL has trained more than 2.9 lakh young people in future-ready skills and awarded over 2,900 scholarships, consistently delivering strong employment outcomes.
The Social Stock Exchange listing strengthens our commitment to transparency, governance, and measurable impact. It enables citizens, corporates, and institutions to participate in nation-building through structured education funding.
We are building a unique industry–academia co-working model where corporates adopt and nurture schools within the university ecosystem. I invite visionary industry leaders to partner with FUEL — not just to support a cause, but to create a lasting legacy in education, innovation, and nation-building for future generations.”
Funds mobilised through the SSE will support scholarships, digital and life skills training, workforce integration initiatives, and entrepreneurship guidance for students and young adults from economically challenged backgrounds.
About Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL)
Founded in 2007 by Dr. Ketan Deshpande, Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering underserved and first-generation youth through education, future skills training, entrepreneurship development, and scholarships.
Headquartered in India, FUEL has:
- Impacted over 9 lakh students through career counselling
- Trained more than 2.9 lakh youth in future-ready skills
- Awarded over 2,900 scholarships
- Mobilised over USD 24 million for social impact initiatives
FUEL works with 78+ leading corporates, foundations, government bodies, and academic institutions, and is supported by the Government of Maharashtra in its vision to establish India’s first SkillTech & Entrepreneurship University. The organisation continues to build a transparent, measurable, and industry-aligned education ecosystem aimed at creating a future-ready workforce
