Samagra 2.0 - IIT Palakkad Innovation Summit 2026

Strengthening industry-academia partnerships and fostering technology-driven entrepreneurship, SAMAGRA 2.0 – IIT Palakkad Innovation Summit 2026, organised by the Technology Innovation Foundation of IIT Palakkad (TECHIN), concludes at the Hyatt Regency, Thiruvananthapuram. 
The two-day summit brought together startups, innovators, investors, researchers, IIT Palakkad faculty and industry representatives to explore emerging technologies, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote collaboration between academic research and industry. SAMAGRA 2.0 highlighted emerging innovations in water and sanitation, medical technology, agriculture and food technology, and deep technology. It provided startups with opportunities to engage with prospective customers and investors, explore markets, access funding and connect with government agencies and other stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. In his opening remarks Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, Director, IIT Palakkad said that the event is a great opportunity to connect people. The event is a great opportunity to connect people. “Connect, Collaborate and Convert, we must convert promising ideas into technologies, products and enterprises that create economic and social value.
Day one featured a keynote address by Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub, Government of India, on “Digital India to Deep Tech India – The Next Decade of Innovation Policy”. Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, astronaut of the Gaganyaan programme of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), attended as the special guest.Day two featured power talks and panel discussions with the participation of Sreeram Sambasiva Rao, IAS, Special Secretary, Electronics and IT Department, Government of Keralam and Anoop Ambika, Chief Executive Officer, Kerala Startup Mission, among others. 
The summit  showcased selected research projects and technologies developed at IIT Palakkad, highlighting their potential for industry adoption, technology transfer and commercialisation. The event saw more than 500 participants, 40 curated startups and 30 speakers. More than 100 one-to-one meetings are envisaged among startups, investors, industry representatives, researchers and other stakeholders. A startup expo featuring emerging ventures and innovative solutions formed a key component of the summit. Plenary sessions and investor pitching sessions were held to strengthen the links between research, entrepreneurship and industry, while creating opportunities for startups to connect with investors and potential partners.The event came to a close with a vote of thanks by Mr. Midhu Unnithan, Chief Operating Officer, TECHIN.