Gurugram (Haryana) [India], September 17: India’s DeepTech ecosystem took centre stage at IILM University Gurugram as the institution hosted the North Edition of IIT Ropar’s ‘SPRINT’ under the ‘100 Startups 100 Days’ initiative. Designed to strengthen India’s innovation landscape, the platform brought together academic leaders, industry experts, investors, and policymakers to explore new pathways for scaling DeepTech entrepreneurship in the country.
The event was graced by Smt Rekha Sharma, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Former Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, alongside senior representatives from NITI Aayog, NASSCOM, and international partners. Their presence underscored the growing policy and industry commitment to creating a supportive environment for DeepTech-led innovation.
At the gathering, DTC Accelerate–ClimateTech (Agri and Water Tech), a collaborative cohort with NASSCOM, was launched, signalling the importance of addressing sustainability challenges through technological solutions. The occasion also marked the release of the IILM Innovation Lab Newsletter, an initiative to capture ongoing student and startup projects, connect innovators with mentors and investors, and give visibility to the university’s growing entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The event further recognised 13 startups and 3 innovators from the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence programme, each working on solutions in AgriTech, WaterTech, AI, sustainability, and DeepTech hardware. In addition, the AWaDH Progress Report was published, outlining the advances being made in applied DeepTech research and its translation into practical solutions for industry and society.
A key highlight of the day was the panel discussion titled “Beyond Borders: Unlocking the Future of DeepTech Investment”, which featured experts from NITI Aayog, NASSCOM, BookMyJet, The Circle: Founders Club, MeritX Ventures, and the Embassy of Israel in India. The dialogue reinforced the need for efficient funding channels, cross-border collaboration, and supportive policy frameworks to ensure India’s competitiveness in the global innovation landscape.
Reflecting on IILM’s role in shaping this momentum, Dr Ravi Kumar Jain, Director, School of Management, IILM University Gurugram, remarked, “IILM has built an ecosystem where innovation thrives through collaboration, mentorship, and global linkages. Hosting SPRINT reinforces our commitment to empowering students and startups with the resources and opportunities they need to create meaningful impact in India’s DeepTech future.”
By convening leading voices and innovators, IILM University has positioned itself as a hub for entrepreneurial progress, enabling dialogue and action that bridge the gap between research, industry, and policy. The North Edition of SPRINT reflects not only the dynamism of India’s DeepTech community but also the university’s vision to nurture the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
About IILM University
Located in the education hub of Gurugram, IILM University is a leading institution recognised for its interdisciplinary education, global connections, and robust industry partnerships. Its newly launched School of Hospitality and Service Management is poised to become a game-changer in luxury and service-sector education in India.
To know more, visit: https://iilm.edu.in/
About SPRINT
Strategic Program for Research Innovation and Next-Gen Tech-Commercialisation (SPRINT) is a research-preneur incubation programme by IIT Ropar’s iHub – AWaDH. It accelerates the research ideas of innovators, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in building startups or seeking support for tech commercialisation. By offering resources, mentoring, lab access, funding, and international collaborations, SPRINT facilitates the innovation and development of emerging technologies across DeepTech, hardware, and software R&D.
To know more, visit: https://ihub-awadh.in/sprint/
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