Indian research institutions are witnessing a surge in professor-founded startups, driven by a growing acceptance of entrepreneurship and the desire to translate research into real-world impact. Venture capitalists are increasingly investing in these ventures, recognizing their potential for globally competitive deep tech innovation. Success stories and supportive incubation centers are further encouraging academics to explore entrepreneurial opportunities. For years, India’s leading research institutions engaged in cutting-edge research and development, much of which remained confined to labs. That’s beginning to change as faculty members are turning entrepreneurs, and investors are taking note. At IISc, IITs, IIITs and BITS Pilani, professor-founded startups have seen a 20-30% year-on-year increase. Venture capitalists (VCs) are viewing these ventures as fertile ground for intellectual property (IP)-heavy, globally competitive deep tech innovation.

IIIT Hyderabad’s TechForward Research Seminar Series, an academia-industry confluence around emerging technologies is currently in its 12th edition, having successfully completed a year of deep insights, directional talks, and industry/business outlooks from highly accomplished thought leaders, on one theme every month. The talks were converted into features that are compiled into a monthly dispatch as a ready reckoner for technology directions.The research seminar series covered themes across various domains such as computer vision, artificial information, robotics, quantum computing, AI on the Edge, healthcare, tech in financial services, software architecture, LLMs, sustainable mobility and agentic AI. Over the past year, IIITH collaborated with leading companies such as Qualcomm, ISB, Google, GoldmanSachs, Bosch, Llyods Technology Centre, Meta, Accenture Evernorth Health Services, ZF India and ServiceNow.

In a significant step toward accelerating urban innovation, Smart City Research Centre at IIITH and KIET signed a MoU on 17 June 2025 at the KIET Campus to support the Kakinada Smart City Mission. The collaboration aims to bring cutting-edge research, real-time urban solutions, and emerging technologies to the forefront by establishing a Smart City Living Lab at the KIET campus and extending the same to Kakinada Smart City. The initiative, launched in the presence of the Kakinada District Collector Shri Sagili Shan Mohan and other dignitaries, marks a new chapter in bridging academia, government, and technology for smarter, more sustainable cities. The lab will serve as a collaborative ecosystem to support the research, development, and deployment of smart city solutions, enabling students, researchers, and city stakeholders to tackle practical urban challenges.