New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, IIT Kharagpur, IIT (BHU), IIT Bhubaneswar and IIT Patna will be hosting the 4th edition of IInvenTiv 2026, jointly held at Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad Campus on April 6-7, 2026 at Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad Campus. Jharkhand state. The two-day national event brings together top academic institutions, innovators, start-ups, venture capitalists, industry leaders and students to showcase cutting-edge research and innovation emerging from India’s higher education ecosystem. The fourth edition will feature innovations across five key thematic areas: healthcare, artificial intelligence and machine learning, materials science, geosciences, and semiconductor and chip technology.
Launched at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 2022 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, IInvenTiv focuses on indigenous innovation and aims to strengthen India’s research-to-tech-to-market ecosystem. Initially bringing together the innovations of IITs, the platform has expanded to include key institutions such as IISc, IISER, NIT, IIM, IIEST and other NIRF-ranked top 100 engineering institutes, creating a national platform that bridges academia, industry and start-ups.
The response to InvenTiv 2026 was strong, with over *235* innovation submissions from 37 research institutions nationwide. These include more than 86 innovations in healthcare, more than 49 innovations in AI/ML, more than 47 innovations in materials science, more than 27 innovations in geosciences, and more than 21 innovations in semiconductor and chip technology. From these applications, approximately *151* innovations and startups were shortlisted for live demonstrations during the event. Additionally, *46* startups incubated in IIT and TiH organization will be featured.
This innovation will be evaluated by industry leaders, startups, and venture capitalists, paving the way for technology transfer, commercialization, and funding opportunities. Throughout the two-day event, multiple MoUs were signed with start-ups and industrial partners, which are expected to further strengthen the country’s research-driven innovation ecosystem. Several sessions will be held, including startup and VC matching, startup pitching sessions, one-on-one interaction between startups and VCs, and a visit to the technology demonstration zone. Some innovations and startups may also receive funding on the spot from VCs, industry, and incubation hubs.
The event is expected to attract over 1,000 participants including researchers, students, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, MSMEs, industry leaders, as well as students from nearby schools and universities, making it a vibrant platform for innovation and knowledge exchange.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan as the chief guest, and Wadhwani Foundation CEO Ajay Khera will also be the chief guest.
Commenting on the upcoming event, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Director Professor Sukumar Mishra said, “Hosting IInvenTiv 2026 is a proud moment for IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. This platform reflects the growth of India’s research and innovation ecosystem and provides an opportunity for academic institutions to showcase innovative technologies that can address real-world challenges while contributing to the development of the country.”
Parthasarathi, Dean (Research and Development) and Organizer of IInvenTiv 2026 Emphasizing the importance of collaboration in accelerating innovation, Das said, “IInvenTiv serves as a powerful interface between academia, industry and investors. By bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and industry players, the event aims to accelerate the journey of promising research from the lab to market-ready technologies and startups.”
Adding to this, Mr. Ejaz Ahmad, PIC SRIC and Organizing Secretary of IInvenTiv 2026 said: “IInvenTiv 2026 will feature a technology demonstration zone, startup pitch sessions, structured VC matchmaking, and on-the-spot funding discussion opportunities in artificial intelligence, healthcare, semiconductors, materials science, and mining and minerals.”
By bringing together venture capitalists, start-ups, MSMEs, industry leaders and academic innovators, IInvenTiv 2026 aims to inspire students and young researchers to pursue entrepreneurship and start-up creation, thereby contributing to job creation, skills development and sustainable economic growth. The initiative strengthens India’s transition from a knowledge economy to an innovation and enterprise-driven economy and positions academic institutions as key drivers of national development.
