{"id":53635,"date":"2025-08-20T16:19:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T10:49:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/2025\/08\/20\/iit-delhis-fitt-forward-2025-to-drive-indias-deep-tech-decade-with-startups-investors-policymakers\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T16:19:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T10:49:59","slug":"iit-delhis-fitt-forward-2025-to-drive-indias-deep-tech-decade-with-startups-investors-policymakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/2025\/08\/20\/iit-delhis-fitt-forward-2025-to-drive-indias-deep-tech-decade-with-startups-investors-policymakers\/","title":{"rendered":"IIT Delhi\u2019s FITT Forward 2025 to Drive India\u2019s Deep-Tech Decade with Startups, Investors & Policymakers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

New Delhi [India], August 20: <\/strong>As India positions itself for a transformative deep-tech decade,\u00a0FITT FORWARD 2025 (August 21-22, 2025, at FITT-IIT Delhi Campus<\/strong>) arrives at a pivotal moment. The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi is convening this\u00a0national summit, uniting deep-tech startups, policymakers, global investors, and research leaders to accelerate India<\/strong>\u2019<\/span><\/strong>s ascent on the global innovation map.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>At FITT, we have always been the bridge between cutting-edge research and real-world impact. With FITT Forward 2025, we are creating a platform where innovators, investors, and industry leaders converge to accelerate deep-tech breakthroughs. Our goal is to work collectively to transform promising ideas into scalable ventures-addressing pressing challenges and unlocking opportunities for India\u2019<\/span>s startup ecosystem and beyond,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, FITT-IIT Delhi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Envisioned as an annual flagship,\u00a0FITT FORWARD 2025<\/strong>\u00a0is more than a showcase of ideas-it\u00a0is a convergence of India<\/strong>\u2019<\/span><\/strong>s top innovation minds, focused on bridging cutting-edge research with real-world deployment and market readiness<\/strong>. Aligned with Startup India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the summit provides a strategic platform to scale ideas into tangible impact. Anchored in IIT Delhi\u2019<\/span>s legacy of research excellence, this edition is poised to define the next phase of India\u2019<\/span>s startup ecosystem.<\/p>\n

The two-day forum will feature senior government officials, including\u00a0Smt. Nidhi Khare<\/strong>\u00a0(Secretary, Dept. Of Consumer Affairs),\u00a0Shri Sanjiv Singh<\/strong>\u00a0(Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Head of Startup India),\u00a0Shri Amit Satija<\/strong>\u00a0(IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Defence Production),\u00a0Dr. Preeti Banzal<\/strong>\u00a0(Adviser\/ Scientist \u2018G\u2019, Office of PSA),\u00a0Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya<\/strong>\u00a0(Chairman & MD,\u00a0NSIC<\/strong>),\u00a0Shri S. P. Singh<\/strong>\u00a0(Chief General Manager,\u00a0SIDBI<\/strong>),\u00a0Shri S P Singh<\/strong>\u00a0(Chief General Manager,\u00a0SIDBI<\/strong>), and\u00a0Dr. Arabinda Mitra<\/strong>\u00a0(Hon. Distinguished Fellow & Former Scientific Secretary, PSA Office), alongside senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Skill Development, and NITI Aayog, underscoring corporate-government collaboration in innovation growth.<\/p>\n

Over 30 early-stage and scaling startups from across India will pitch to leading venture capitalists, CSR foundations, and angel investors, including\u00a0Indian Angel Network<\/strong>,\u00a0100X.VC<\/strong>,\u00a0Microsoft for Startups<\/strong>,\u00a0SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd.<\/strong>, and\u00a0Bharat Innovation Fund<\/strong>. Startups will benefit from FITT\u2019<\/span>s ecosystem support-pre-pitch mentorship, EIR programs, post-event investor connections, and IP guidance-across sectors like AgriTech, AI\/ML, MedTech, GreenTech, Cybersecurity, and Education. Prominent investors expected include\u00a0Vikram Gupta<\/strong>\u00a0(Founder & Managing Partner,\u00a0IvyCap Ventures<\/strong>),\u00a0Rajan Anandan<\/strong>\u00a0(Managing Director,\u00a0PeakXV Partners<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Surge<\/strong>),\u00a0HRH Paldem Namgyal<\/strong>\u00a0(Prince of Sikkim & Ex-MD,\u00a0JP Morgan New York<\/strong>),\u00a0Addison Appu<\/strong>\u00a0(Managing Partner,\u00a0ThinKuvate<\/strong>),\u00a0S.P. Singh<\/strong>\u00a0(SIDBI<\/strong>),\u00a0Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya<\/strong>\u00a0(NSIC<\/strong>), and\u00a0Milan Roy<\/strong>\u00a0(AVP,\u00a0Pi Ventures<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

FITT IIT Delhi<\/strong>\u2019<\/span><\/strong>s ReStartup initiative<\/strong>\u00a0will support ventures facing operational challenges or founder fatigue. A mentor panel featuring\u00a0Bipin Preet Singh<\/strong>\u00a0(MobiKwik<\/strong>),\u00a0Sameer Maheshwari<\/strong>\u00a0(HealthKart<\/strong>),\u00a0Neha Kant<\/strong>\u00a0(Clovia<\/strong>),\u00a0Vivek Srivastava<\/strong>\u00a0(HCAH India<\/strong>), and\u00a0Mohit Jain<\/strong>\u00a0(Northwest Executive Education<\/strong>) will provide strategic guidance on pivots, GTM planning, and resilience-building.<\/p>\n

TechFront 2035: Deeptech Leadership<\/strong>\u00a0will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to chart India\u2019<\/span>s path in frontier technologies such as AI, quantum computing, biotech, and space. The panel features a keynote from Mr Rajat Taneja (VISA)\u00a0Mr. Diwakar Mittal (Novo Nordisk)<\/strong>,\u00a0Mr. Pradip Bepari (Samsung)<\/strong>,\u00a0Mr. Sharad Goswami (Pfizer)<\/strong>, and\u00a0Dr. Apurva Chamaria (Google)<\/strong>. Together, they will explore sector-specific opportunities, address innovation bottlenecks, and discuss strategies to align academia, startups, and industry for a collaborative, future-ready deeptech ecosystem by 2035.<\/p>\n

The panel discussion\u00a0\u201c<\/span><\/strong>Velocity to Legacy\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0will feature chairpersons, founders, and CEOs from\u00a0Zomato, Policy Bazar, Spinny, Moglix, TBO.com, Bharatpe,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Insurance Dekho<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/strong>CSR 2.0: Using Tech for Good to Unlock India<\/strong>\u2019<\/span><\/strong>s SDG Promise<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0will see participation from\u00a0FITT IIT Delhi, Visa Inc., Helping Soul Foundation, Microsoft, Kotak, DS Group,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Government Engagement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/strong>The Innovation Journey: Idea to Impact\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0will feature top officials from former\u00a0PSA Office, Nokia India, Haier, Sun Pharma,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Yamaha Motor Solutions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The panel\u00a0\u201c<\/span><\/strong>Mobility for Tomorrow: Clean, Smart, Inclusive\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0will include\u00a0DMRC, Maruti Suzuki India, PSA Office, TDK Ventures, DS Group, Auto Network Strategy & Future of Mobility,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0EY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Additional highlights include panels on\u00a0Raising Funds in 2025<\/strong>,\u00a0Roundtable Innovation Circle: A Conversation with Startup Enablers<\/strong>,\u00a0Statecraft & Startups<\/strong>, and masterclasses like\u00a0Investor Meeting Decoded: What Drives a Yes or No<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0The Innovation Journey: Idea to Impact<\/strong>. An international dialogue,\u00a0Unity in Diversity \u2013 Embassies in Dialogue<\/strong>, will feature\u00a0Israel, Germany,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Australia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The two-day conclave will conclude with the\u00a0Award Ceremony & Valedictory Session<\/strong>, presenting\u00a0FIF\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 SG Awards, DSCE Cohort 2 Graduation Awards, FITT Incubation Pitching Results & Awards, Highest Funds Raised (Startup) Award,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Strong IP Portfolio (Startup) Award<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

FITT Forward stands out for its focus on inclusive innovation,\u00a0showcasing student teams from\u00a0<\/strong>IITs\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong>NITs, rural innovators, and women-led startups (15% of the lineup).<\/strong>\u00a0Media can see the interactive demo zone with live trials and immersive tech pods, connecting directly with products and investors.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We at IIT Delhi believe that meaningful innovation happens when academia, industry, and policy move forward together. FITT Forward 2025 provides the space to unite diverse stakeholders-from global corporations to early-stage startups-and help them forge lasting partnerships. By combining our research strengths with corporate insights and resources, we can ensure groundbreaking technologies reach the market faster and with greater impact,\u201d said\u00a0Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean (Corporate Relations), IIT Delhi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

FITT FORWARD 2025<\/strong>\u00a0doubles as a storytelling platform, featuring fireside chats and masterclasses that trace founder journeys from lab breakthroughs to unicorn success. The agenda anticipates\u00a020+ MoUs and collaboration discussions<\/strong>, over\u00a030 startup-investor meetings<\/strong>, and\u00a08\u201310 CSR-backed partnership announcements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Programming tackles pressing themes such as\u00a0climate-smart tech, AI for rural health, assistive technology, solar-powered agriculture<\/strong>, as well as digital infrastructure and AI-driven service transformation. Key focus sectors include\u00a0HealthTech, GreenTech, Semiconductors, Quantum Computing, Smart Mobility<\/strong>, and\u00a0GenAI for inclusive skilling<\/strong>, making the event both timely and impactful.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>At\u00a0IIT Delhi<\/strong>, we are committed to building an ecosystem where research excellence seamlessly translates into societal and industrial value.\u00a0FITT Forward 2025<\/strong>\u00a0reflects our vision to position both IIT Delhi and India at the forefront of global innovation. Through this platform, we aim to strengthen connections between innovators, funders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs-so that together, we can shape solutions driving progress in today\u2019<\/span>s dynamic market,\u201d said\u00a0Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Adding depth, a whitepaper titled\u00a0\u201c<\/span><\/strong>Industry \u2013 Academia Expectation Mismatch: Technology Transfer Phenomenon for Resilient and Self-Reliant India\u201d<\/strong>, authored by\u00a0Prof. Amit Mehndiratta, CBME, IIT Delhi<\/strong>, will be released.<\/p>\n

FITT\u2019<\/span>s impact is reflected in its numbers: over\u00a0280 startups incubated<\/strong>,\u00a0\u20b9450+ crore<\/strong>\u00a0in cumulative funding facilitated,\u00a090+ technology transfers<\/strong>, and\u00a025 global patents commercialized<\/strong>. CSR-driven innovation has generated\u00a0\u20b985 crore<\/strong>\u00a0in value, benefiting thousands. Engaging more than\u00a010,000 stakeholders annually<\/strong>, FITT provides sustained mentorship, incubation, IP support, and investor access beyond the event.<\/p>\n

The summit is proudly supported by\u00a0IIFL Capital, HS Foundation, Shannon Advisors, Singhania & Co., Cunomial, HDFC Bank, Kirtane & Pandit<\/strong>, and\u00a0HSBC<\/strong>, whose collaboration plays a pivotal role in making\u00a0FITT Forward 2025<\/strong>\u00a0a resounding success.<\/p>\n

For more details, visit:\u00a0www.fitt-iitd.in<\/a><\/p>\n

If you have any objection to this press release content, kindly contact pr.error.rectification@gmail.com to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 24 hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New Delhi [India], August 20: As India positions itself for a transformative deep-tech decade,\u00a0FITT FORWARD…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":53636,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1331],"class_list":["post-53635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53635"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53635\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/risingentrepreneurs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}