Goafest 2026 is set to bring back ‘GoaFresh’, its initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing emerging talent from across India, with an expanded footprint and deeper industry-academia engagement. Designed as a platform to spotlight the next generation of creative and marketing professionals, the programme continues to build on its vision of connecting students with real-world industry exposure, the company stated in a press release.

Now in its second year, GoaFresh has widened its outreach, drawing participation from some of the country’s leading institutes including Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Whistling Woods International, MET Institute of Mass Media, Loyola College and Xavier Institute of Communications, among others. The initiative aims to act as a bridge between classrooms and the professional ecosystem, giving students a chance to interact directly with industry leaders while gaining first-hand exposure to advertising, media and marketing.

Rohit Ohri, Founder of Ohriginal and Advisor Committee at Goafest, described GoaFresh as an open invitation for young minds to experience the creative industry up close. He emphasised that the initiative is not just about orientation, but about sparking curiosity, encouraging ambition and building a future-ready talent pipeline that reflects the evolving landscape of the business.

Expanding on the scale of this year’s programme, Gokul Krishnamoorthy, who is handling student outreach for GoaFresh, noted that the initiative has grown significantly from its debut edition. From a small group of students last year, the focus now is on bringing together around 50 promising young individuals selected through nominations from top B-schools and communication institutes, with more participation expected.

Rohan Chincholi, Chief Digital Officer at Havas Media India and Student Facilitator for GoaFresh, highlighted that the platform allows students to move beyond being passive attendees at Goafest. Instead, they become active participants, engaging with professionals across agencies, brands and platforms, gaining insights that can shape their career decisions.

Scheduled to take place from May 20 to 22 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, Goafest 2026 will once again serve as a meeting ground for the advertising and media industry. With GoaFresh adding fresh perspectives and youthful energy to the mix, the initiative underlines the industry’s continued commitment to fostering the next wave of talent and innovation.