Mail News Service
Dhanbad, April 1: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad is set to host the fourth edition of IInvenTiv 2026, the Ministry of Education’s flagship R&D fair, on April 6–7.
The two-day national event is being jointly organized with Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, and Indian Institute of Technology Patna.
The event will bring together leading academic institutions, innovators, start-ups, venture capitalists, industry leaders, and students to showcase cutting-edge research emerging from India’s higher education ecosystem.
This year’s edition will focus on five key thematic areas—Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Materials Science, Earth Sciences, and Semiconductor & Chip Technology.
Launched in 2022 at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, IInvenTiv has evolved into a premier national platform bridging academia, industry, and start-ups.
Initially limited to IITs, it now includes top institutions such as IISc, IISERs, NITs, IIMs, and other NIRF-ranked institutes.
The response to IInvenTiv 2026 has been overwhelming, with over 235 innovation submissions from 37 institutions nationwide. Of these, around 151 innovations and start-ups have been shortlisted for live demonstrations, alongside 46 start-ups incubated within organizing IITs and Technology Innovation Hubs.
The event will feature startup-VC matchmaking, pitching sessions, one-on-one investor interactions, and technology demonstration zones. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, while select innovations may secure on-the-spot funding from venture capitalists and industry stakeholders.
The inaugural ceremony is expected to be graced by Dharmendra Pradhan as Chief Guest, with Ajay Kela, CEO of the Wadhwani Foundation, attending as Guest of Honour.
Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, termed the event a “proud moment” for the institute, emphasizing its role in showcasing transformative technologies for national development.
Parthasarathi Das, Dean (R&D) and Convenor, highlighted the importance of collaboration in accelerating innovation from lab to market, while Organising Secretary Ejaz Ahmad underscored the event’s focus on fostering strong industry–academia–investor partnerships.
With over 1,000 delegates expected—including researchers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and students—IInvenTiv 2026 promises to be a vibrant platform for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, reinforcing India’s transition toward an innovation-driven economy.
