THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, April 6: IInvenTiv 2026, a major national R&D fair, commenced at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on Monday, aiming to transform research into market-ready technologies and connect Indian innovations to the global platform Bharat Innovates 2026.
The event brings together academic leaders, industry experts, startups, and investors to create pathways for scaling innovations and enabling global partnerships. It aligns with national initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Governor Inaugurates Event
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar inaugurated the event as chief guest. Other dignitaries present included Athar Shahab (Zuari Industries), Vaishali Nigam Sinha (ReNew), Sandeep Kumar (Tata Steel), and Dr. Sunil K. Barnwal (National Health Authority).
Speakers highlighted the importance of innovation-led growth, sustainability, and strong industry-academia collaboration in shaping India’s technological future.
IIT-ISM Director Prof. Sukumar Mishra said the event aims to build a seamless pipeline where innovations can be validated, scaled, and taken to global markets.
Focus on Innovation and Collaboration
A key highlight of the opening day was a roundtable on Research, Development and Innovation (RDI), attended by directors of IITs, NITs, industry leaders, and investors. Discussions focused on scaling innovation and strengthening commercialisation pathways.
More than 150 innovations across sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, semiconductors, material sciences, and earth sciences are being showcased at dedicated technology demonstration zones.
The event also featured plenary sessions on semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence, material sciences, healthcare innovations, and earth sciences, with experts discussing policy support, global integration, and sustainable development.
Centres of Excellence Launched
Two Centres of Excellence were inaugurated during the event. The ReNew Centre of Excellence will focus on coal-to-green transition and skilling, while the Wadhwani Innovation Network Centre will work on critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
What’s Next
On Day 2, the programme will include academia-to-business (A2B) meetings and startup pitching sessions aimed at connecting innovations with industry and investors.
IInvenTiv 2026 is positioned as a key precursor to Bharat Innovates 2026, helping showcase India’s deep-tech capabilities on the global stage.