The PRAGATI Founders Forum 2025, held at IIT Ropar, unfolded as a moment of both reflection and forward-looking dialogue for India’s growing startup ecosystem, especially in the deep-tech and agriculture sectors. The event marked the culmination of the PRAGATI Micro Accelerator Program, an initiative driven by IIT Ropar’s iHub AWaDH under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It brought together a dynamic mix of entrepreneurs, government officials, academics, and industry leaders to share perspectives, recognize efforts, and plan future pathways.
The event was organized in collaboration with Puri Oil Mills Ltd. and MeitY GENESIS and served as a platform for founders and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in developing technology-backed solutions, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 regions of India.
Driving Forward Technology and Entrepreneurship from the Heartlands
Setting the tone for the day, Dr. Radhika Trikha, CEO of IIT Ropar iHub AWaDH, articulated a vision that reflects the intent behind the PRAGATI program — to support tech-led entrepreneurship with a focus on sectors that are crucial to India’s rural economy. We want to enable technology-driven entrepreneurship that creates sustainable impact, especially in agriculture and deep-tech, she said. Her remarks echoed a theme that would reappear throughout the event: the need to bring meaningful innovation to underserved areas.
Dr. Mukesh Kestwal, the Chief Innovation Officer of iHub AWaDH, built on this foundation by detailing how the PRAGATI initiative had already begun accelerating early-stage startups. He outlined the mentorship, technical support, and funding opportunities that have been made available to participating ventures.
Prof. Pushpendra P Singh, Project Director of iHub AWaDH and ANNAM.AI, welcomed attendees and highlighted how this convergence of academia, policy, and entrepreneurship is vital to shaping India’s innovation landscape.
The atmosphere was celebratory yet purposeful. Several selected startups that had been part of the PRAGATI Micro Accelerator Program were felicitated for their progress. The coordination for this segment of the event was led by Mrs. Parry Sood, Program Manager, whose efforts ensured a smooth conclusion to the months-long accelerator journey.
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Union Minister Announces Funding, Launches New Initiatives
Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, attended the event and used the platform to launch several new initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s deep-tech and agri-startup landscape. He unveiled two new regional editions of the SPRINT program in Haryana and Telangana, extending the reach of the initiative to more regions.
In his address, Dr. Singh also released the PRAGATI Report, inaugurated the Office of IP & Tech Commercialisation (OITC), and announced government funding worth Rs 98 lakh to support selected startups. His remarks were directed at recognizing the potential of smaller towns and institutions like IIT Ropar in fostering innovation.
He singled out two startups as “Achievers,” acknowledging their steady progress and promising outlook. “Institutions like IIT Ropar are doing commendable work in bringing technology and entrepreneurship closer to the grassroots,” he noted.
Emphasis on Inclusive Growth and Gender Equity in Innovation
Rekha Sharma, Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha and the Guest of Honour at the forum, focused her speech on inclusion and the importance of ensuring that women find equal space and support in the startup ecosystem. She stated, “Innovation must be inclusive, and we need to ensure more participation of women in technology and entrepreneurship.” Her presence added a needed dimension to the conversations around diversity and accessibility in tech innovation.
Expert Perspectives and Industry Dialogue
Throughout the day, various panels and speeches highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector. Among the key voices were Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; Padma Shri awardee and agriculturalist Kanwal Singh Chauhan; Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MeitY Startup Hub; Tejasvini Puri, Director at Puri Oil Mills Ltd.; and Haris Khan from Agriculture Today. Each of them brought unique insights from their respective fields, reiterating that innovation thrives where policy, infrastructure, and talent come together effectively.
A special panel titled “Enabling Innovation Ecosystems” gathered experts from organizations including IFFCO Kisan, IBM, E2E Networks, Wadhwani Foundation, and FITT Delhi. Discussions in this panel centered around the practical challenges of building supportive infrastructure for startups. Participants spoke about the role of partnerships, government policies, and scalable platforms in sustaining innovation.
They explored how companies and institutions could bridge the last-mile gap in reaching rural users, particularly in agriculture, where adoption of new technology remains uneven. There was also a strong emphasis on the need to tailor support based on regional strengths and constraints rather than applying a uniform model.
Building Momentum Beyond the Forum
While the PRAGATI Founders Forum 2025 officially concluded a significant chapter in the accelerator program’s journey, the event made it clear that its impact is only beginning. By highlighting achievements and launching new initiatives, the forum offered both recognition and resources to startup founders working in critical sectors.
Perhaps more importantly, it reinforced the need for nurturing innovation ecosystems that are local in their character but national in their ambition. As several speakers pointed out, programs like PRAGATI must go beyond urban centers and elite institutions to find real traction and sustainability. In that sense, the event was not just about showcasing accomplishments. It was about committing to a longer journey — one that places farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and small-town innovators at the heart of India’s growth story.
