Ketan DeshpandeFounder & Chairman, FUEL (Friends Union for Energising Lives)

Mr. Ketan Deshpande is a nationally recognized social entrepreneur who founded FUEL at the age of 19 with a mission to ensure that no student is deprived of a career opportunity due to lack of access or information.  

He holds an MBA from Symbiosis International University (SCMHRD) and is a Dr. D.C. Pavate Fellow at the University of Cambridge, UK. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  

Mr. Deshpande represented India at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2016, hosted by former U.S. President Barack Obama at Stanford University, and his work has been personally appreciated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He has received several prestigious recognitions, including the Ashoka Fellowship, the Champions of Change Award from the Prime Minister of India, and a spot in BusinessWorld’s “40 Under 40” list.  

He has also worked with over 137 Army Public Schools, reaching 75,000+ students from defence families through career awareness and scholarship programs.  

In 2025, he represented India at the World Economic Forum in Davos, contributing to discussions on education, skills, and digital inclusion.  

He is currently leading the establishment of the FUEL SkillTech University in Pune — a first-of-its-kind institution aligned with NEP 2020, AICTE, and NSQF guidelines, focused on future-ready, industry-integrated education across management, digital technology, science, commerce, and future skills.