Chennai, Feb 28: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday highlighted India's remarkable progress in the global startup landscape, stating that the country has emerged as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with a cumulative valuation exceeding USD 354 million.
Pradhan made these remarks while virtually addressing the inaugural session of the third edition of IInvenTiv, a national research and development (R&D) expo hosted by IIT Madras. The event, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, was first held in 2022 at IIT Delhi, exclusively showcasing innovations from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Emphasizing the significance of international collaboration, Pradhan invited global representatives to strengthen research partnerships and foster cross-border startup opportunities.
"Tamil Nadu has always been a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence. The state has given India some of the brightest entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers who have significantly contributed to nation-building," he remarked.
IInvenTiv: An Emerging Innovation Hub
Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, who attended the event in person, underscored the growing impact of IInvenTiv in bridging academia and industry."With extensive participation from top educational institutions and industry representatives, IInvenTiv is poised to become an iconic brand in the innovation sector. Industry leaders attending the event will find many of the showcased technologies useful, paving the way for future technology transfers," he stated.
The second edition of IInvenTiv, held at IIT Hyderabad in 2024, expanded its scope by including participants from the top 50 institutions in the NIRF rankings, alongside IITs, NITs, IISc, and IISERs.
Platform for Industry-Academia Collaboration
IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti emphasized that the expo serves as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration between academia, industry leaders, and investors."We have over 180 exhibits from 39 participating institutions, showcasing cutting-edge R&D innovations, startups that have stemmed from institutional research, and technologies ready for commercialization," he explained.
The two-day event covers thematic areas such as:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Aviation, Defence, and Space Technology
- Marine Technology
- Medical & Healthcare Engineering
- Rural Technology
- Smart Cities & Infrastructure
- Advanced Manufacturing (Industry 4.0 & 5.0)
- Circularity & Sustainability (Energy & E-mobility)
IInvenTiv 2025 stands as a testament to India’s commitment to fostering a robust innovation ecosystem, strengthening industry-academia linkages, and driving the commercialization of indigenous technologies.
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