IInvenTiv 2026, hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad on April 6–7, is a flagship national R&D fair under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Positioned as a high-impact innovation convergence platform, IInvenTiv 2026 is designed to transform cutting-edge research into deployable technologies while bridging the gap between academia, industry, startups, and investors. The event aligns with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India by enabling structured pathways for technology transfer, commercialization, and adoption, ensuring innovations move from the lab to real-world impact.
The event will showcase over 150 high-potential innovations across critical domains including Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare , Materials Science, Earth Sciences, and Semiconductor Technology & Chip Design. Participation from 50+ startups and 20+ venture capitalists will create a dynamic ecosystem for funding, mentorship, and scaling. Leading institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research will contribute to making IInvenTiv a truly national and inclusive innovation platform.
The event will be inaugurated by Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand. The Guests of Honour include Shri Athar Sahab, Managing Director, Zuari Industries Ltd.; Ms. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder, ReNew Foundation; and Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Vice President, Tata Steel. Among the prominent dignitaries and industry leaders participating are Raghu Panicker, CEO, Kaynes SemiCon Pvt. Ltd., and Dr. Sunil K. Barnwal (IAS), CEO, National Health Authority.
This year’s IInvenTiv 2026 will feature the inauguration of two externally funded Centres of Excellence. The ReNew Centre of Excellence aims to empower coal mining communities and drive the “coal-to-green” transition.
Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-founder and Chairperson of Sustainability at ReNew, said: “The successful completion of our first cohort shows that the ‘coal to green’ transition is not just necessary, but achievable at scale. With this Centre of Excellence, we are expanding access to skills and opportunities for coal mine workers and their families. At ReNew, sustainability is about ensuring that communities who powered our past are empowered to shape our future.” Prof.
Sukumar Mishra of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad added: “We are grateful to ReNew for partnering with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on this important initiative. This Centre of Excellence builds on the strong foundation of the pilot phase and reflects the power of academia–industry collaboration in enabling meaningful livelihood transitions. Together, we aim to equip communities from coal mining regions with the skills needed to participate in India’s clean energy future.”
The second, the Wadhwani Innovation Network Centre of Excellence, focuses on Critical Minerals and advanced technologies, backed by a USD 5 million contribution. Dr. Shirshendu Mukherjee, Managing Director of Wadhwani Innovation Network, said: “The Wadhwani Foundation is proud to support the establishment of the Wadhwani-IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Innovation Center on Critical Minerals. The Center will drive research and innovation across the critical minerals value chain—from extraction and processing to recycling and circular utilization—strengthening India’s capabilities in clean energy and advanced technologies. We are honoured that the Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand will inaugurate the Center at IInvenTiv 2026.”
A high-level Roundtable on Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) will bring together leading academic heads from IITs and other premier institutions. The programme also includes MoU signings, seed funding support, technology demonstration zones, investor interactions, startup pitching sessions, and academia–industry matchmaking, along with thematic plenary sessions across AI, semiconductors, healthcare, materials science, and earth sciences.
Highlighting the strategic vision of the initiative, the Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad said: “IInvenTiv 2026 exemplifies IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s commitment to transforming research into real-world impact. By bringing together academia, industry, startups, and investors under one platform, we are creating a seamless pipeline from innovation to global deployment. Coupled with Bharat Innovates 2026, this initiative not only showcases India’s deep-tech capabilities but also positions our nation as a global hub for research, technology, and entrepreneurship. We are proud to support initiatives that empower communities, foster sustainable growth, and enable India’s innovations to reach the world.”
Prabhat Kumar (IRS), Chairman – Pan IIT Alumni India, said:“Pan IIT Alumni India has been in constant engagement with and support of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s key initiatives, including IInvenTiv. IInvenTiv 2026 showcases the institute’s commitment to transforming research into real-world impact and highlights India’s growing strength in deep-tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We are proud to support initiatives that foster sustainable growth and enable India’s innovations to reach the world.”
Across the two days, the event will feature MoU signings, seed fund support to startups, technology demonstration zone inaugurations, investor interactions, academia–industry matchmaking, and startup pitching sessions, along with plenary discussions on Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor Technology, Healthcare, Materials Science, and Earth Sciences. The programme also includes expert talks on innovation ecosystems, digital health initiatives, and guided visits to advanced technology facilities. With participation from IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs and other premier institutions, IInvenTiv 2026 reflects a truly national and inclusive innovation landscape. The initiative is poised to catalyse deep-tech investments, strengthen academia-industry linkages, and create a replicable model for innovation-driven growth, positioning India firmly on the path of becoming a global hub for research and technology.
Importantly, IInvenTiv 2026 serves as a key national feeder for Bharat Innovates 2026, identifying and showcasing high-potential innovations that can scale globally. Bharat Innovates 2026, led by the Ministry of Education, Government of India and announced by Narendra Modi with support from Emmanuel Macron, will take 100–120 curated DeepTech startups and leading institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru to Nice from 14–16 June 2026. Structured around Partnerships, Deployments, Capital, and Global Integration, Bharat Innovates provides Indian startups pathways for global co-development, investments, and international market access.
Together, IInvenTiv 2026 and Bharat Innovates 2026 form an integrated national-to-global innovation pipeline—where domestic research excellence is showcased, validated, and scaled internationally—accelerating India’s emergence as a global leader in deep-tech innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.
