Mark Rober, the former NASA engineer turned YouTube sensation, is on a mission—and this time, it’s taking him halfway across the world to India. Known globally for his inventive science builds, glitter bomb traps, and backyard squirrel mazes, Rober has built a dedicated following of over 68 million subscribers on YouTube. But his visit to India in 2025 is about much more than just fanfare; it’s about empowering innovation, celebrating local ingenuity, and inspiring a new generation of creators.
At the heart of Rober’s India tour is a desire to bridge global curiosity with India’s deeply rooted culture of frugal innovation. “India has always had a spirit of creativity—Jugaad, as you call it. I’m here to celebrate that and take it to the world stage,” Rober shared in one of his sessions during the WAVES 2025 summit.
Launching the Jugaad Contest 2025
Perhaps the most impactful initiative tied to Rober’s visit is the Jugaad Contest 2025—a national challenge for Indians of all ages (8 and above) to showcase their home-grown inventions using simple household materials. The term “Jugaad” embodies the essence of Indian problem-solving: resourceful, makeshift, and highly effective.
From April 30 to September 15, 2025, participants are encouraged to upload videos of their inventions on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, X, or Facebook using the hashtag #MarkRoberJugaad. However, to officially enter, contestants must also submit a link to their video on the official contest site, www.markroberjugaad.com.
Rober will personally select ten winners, each receiving ₹5 lakh and global recognition. More than a competition, this contest reflects Rober’s larger goal: to democratize science and engineering by making it accessible and fun.
A Cultural Exchange of Ideas
India’s youth population is vast and brimming with untapped potential. Rober believes that with the right push, India can lead the world in innovation across science and technology. Through his interactions with students, creators, and aspiring engineers, he’s aiming to shift mindsets—encouraging young minds to view failure as a stepping stone, curiosity as a superpower, and science as a tool for solving real-world problems.
During his visit, Rober emphasized the importance of creativity and experimentation over rigid textbook learning. “When kids play, build, break, and rebuild, they aren’t just having fun—they’re learning real-world skills,” he noted.
Joining Forces with India’s Creator Community
Another key pillar of Rober’s tour is collaboration—with both influencers and institutions. He has joined forces with some of India’s most influential YouTubers, including CarryMinati, SlayyPoint, TechBurner, and Curly Tales. These collaborations are not just viral stunts; they’re meaningful integrations of education and entertainment.
Whether building science-based gadgets, taking on quirky challenges, or decoding how everyday things work, these partnerships are helping Rober tap into diverse audience segments while reinforcing the idea that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) can be cool and culturally relevant.
In an especially buzzworthy moment, Rober also collaborated with Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya. The two explored the physics of cricket and the science behind Hardik’s powerful shots—offering fans a unique mix of sports and science.
A Highlight Appearance at WAVES 2025
Rober’s India visit was anchored around his keynote participation in WAVES 2025—a premier summit held in Mumbai bringing together digital creators, educators, and technologists. Co-hosting a session with YouTuber Gautami and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, Rober shared insights into the power of video content to drive curiosity and innovation.
He advocated for greater focus on STEM-based education and hands-on learning, especially in rural and underserved communities. Rober emphasized how platforms like YouTube can be catalysts for change, reaching classrooms that traditional systems can’t always access.
CrunchLabs and the Future of STEM in India
Beyond his online persona, Rober is the founder of CrunchLabs—a Willy Wonka-style factory in California where STEM toys are designed to inspire young inventors. With a subscription base in the hundreds of thousands, CrunchLabs delivers monthly build kits to kids worldwide.
Through the Jugaad Contest and his India tour, Rober is planting seeds for a potential expansion of CrunchLabs initiatives in India. He’s exploring partnerships with schools and NGOs to make STEM kits more affordable and accessible in the Indian context.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Curiosity
As Rober continues his journey across Indian cities, he remains focused on one simple goal: sparking curiosity. Whether through a hands-on invention, a viral video, or a school visit, his message is consistent—science is for everyone, and innovation starts with asking “what if?”
In a country that celebrates innovation from street vendors to space missions, Mark Rober’s tour is both a celebration and a call to action. If his dream succeeds, the next generation of engineers, problem-solvers, and creators won’t just come from elite labs—they’ll rise from every corner of India.
