The event featured startup pitches, expert sessions and discussions on hardware innovation, AI and investment opportunities
GANDHINAGAR, GUJARAT | 16th OCTOBER 2026 | Startup founders, investors, industry representatives, government officials and academics came together at Karnavati University on Friday for the Gandhinagar edition of GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit on Friday. The summit focused on emerging technology opportunities, deep-tech innovation, indigenous hardware development, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, and ways to connect startups with industry and investment.
Organised by Karnavati University and Karnavati Innovation & Incubation Foundation in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the summit brought together stakeholders from across the startup ecosystem to discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in developing and scaling technology-led businesses.
The programme included startup exhibitions, expert sessions, panel discussions and GENESIS Idea World, an innovator poster presentation platform. These activities gave startups and innovators an opportunity to present their ideas, showcase their solutions and engage with industry representatives and potential investors.
Mukesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Education Department, was the chief guest, while RD Barhatt, Joint Commissioner of Industries, spoke about Gujarat’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem under the theme Startup Gujarat. Dr. Paneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MeitY Startup Hub, spoke about the GENESIS initiative and MSH’s role in supporting startups.
Speaking about the summit, Ritesh Hada, President of Karnavati University, said, “Technology startups need more than an idea to build a viable business. They need access to industry knowledge, appropriate guidance, investment opportunities and an understanding of market requirements. Platforms such as GENESIS allow innovators to present their work and explore how their ideas can address real-world needs. At Karnavati University, we see these interactions as an important link between education, research and entrepreneurship.”
The sessions covered intellectual property and commercialisation, as well as the UIDAI SITAA initiative and its role in identity technology innovation. Two panel discussions examined India’s prospects in hardware and semiconductor manufacturing and the scope for expanding artificial intelligence and deep-tech innovation beyond established startup hubs.
The summit also featured a fireside chat with Hunny Bhagchandani, founder of Torch IT, on the journey from ideas to impact. Selected startups presented their business propositions to an investor jury, giving them an opportunity to engage with potential investors.
Through KIIF, Karnavati University supports aspiring entrepreneurs and technology-led startups through incubation, mentoring, prototyping assistance, funding linkages and market access. Its collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub through GENESIS provides another platform for connecting innovators with industry expertise and potential investment opportunities.
The Gandhinagar edition of the summit placed particular emphasis on the role of collaboration in helping startups understand industry requirements, develop market-ready solutions and explore pathways to growth.
== ENDS ==
