IIT Madras GDC Champions Democratising Innovation and Entrepreneurship in India
Chennai : The Gopalakrishnan–Deshpande Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GDC) at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) hosted its 6th Annual GDC Symposium on January 17, 2026, focusing on the theme “Democratising Innovation & Entrepreneurship in India.” The symposium brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, investors, and startup founders to deliberate on expanding equitable access to entrepreneurship across the country.
The event underscored the growing importance of capability-building among entrepreneurs as a critical yet under-addressed element in India’s innovation ecosystem—especially in deep-tech sectors requiring long gestation periods.
National Leaders Deliberate on Inclusive Entrepreneurship
The symposium featured eminent speakers including Mr. Lakshmi Narayanan, Co-founder and former Vice Chairman of Cognizant Technology Solutions; Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); Dr. Shashank Shah, Director (Senior Specialist – Education), NITI Aayog; Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras; Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures; Dr. Gururaj Deshpande, Co-founder, Deshpande Foundation; and Mr. Varun Aggarwal, Founder & Trustee, FAST India.
At a time when India is witnessing a surge of startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, along with increased participation of women entrepreneurs and digital-first founders, the symposium highlighted the need for sustained mentoring, mindset development, and policy support to nurture capable entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs as the Core of India’s Innovation Engine
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Lakshmi Narayanan emphasised that entrepreneurship is not limited to launching startups alone. Scientists and researchers can also create significant entrepreneurial impact within large corporations and government projects by solving complex technological challenges.
Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, in his keynote address via videoconferencing, outlined ANRF’s mission-mode programs and research translation initiatives, including MAHA programs in electric mobility, AI for science, MedTech, and critical materials. He also highlighted the operationalisation of India’s ₹1 lakh crore RDI patient capital fund, aimed at fostering high-impact research and innovation.
IIT Madras’ Role in Building Viksit Bharat@2047
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said that democratisation of education and entrepreneurship is accelerating at IIT Madras through initiatives such as the online BS degree programme, which has enabled nearly 50,000 students, many from economically weaker sections, to access world-class education. He added that IIT Madras is opening its labs, incubators, and mentorship ecosystem to entrepreneurs from across India.
Mr. Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder & CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, highlighted the importance of university ecosystems in shaping startup culture, stating that the early years under the IIT Madras umbrella were crucial in defining the company’s values and approach.
Policy, Deep-Tech and Grassroots Innovation
A high-level policy panel chaired by Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan discussed how Indian policies are enabling democratisation of innovation. Dr. Shashank Shah shared insights from an ongoing NITI Aayog–GDC study covering over 100 incubators across 18 states, aimed at strengthening incubation ecosystems in higher-education institutions nationwide.
Additional panels featured founders of emerging deep-tech startups and explored themes such as lab-to-market translation, grassroots innovation, and translational research. Around 15 deep-tech startups showcased their innovations on the sidelines, offering policymakers and investors firsthand exposure to next-generation technologies.
Strengthening India’s Innovation Future
Through the annual GDC Symposium, IIT Madras reaffirmed its commitment to building capable entrepreneurs, empowering faculty-led deep-tech ventures, and supporting India’s vision of becoming a global innovation and startup hub under Viksit Bharat@2047.
