Igniting the Deep Tech Future: EntIISc & Partners Lead Landmark BRICS Youth Council Meeting at IISc

At EntIISc, we believe that the future of innovation will be shaped not in isolation, but through collaboration, shared vision, and collective action. On February 19, 2025, this belief came to life as EntIISc, together with its institutional partners, proudly co-led and co-hosted the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Pre-Consultation Meeting at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

This landmark event celebrated the strength of IISc’s innovation ecosystem and the power of partnerships. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, the meeting was a joint initiative led by EntIISc in close collaboration with the FSID – Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development, the IISc Innovation Council (IIC), the inCENSE, and the BeST Cluster. The Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC) served as the Knowledge Partner.

Together, these partners brought to life the theme “Deep Tech for Tomorrow: Youth-led Innovations Driving India’s Leadership in Emerging Technologies,” convening over 300 researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for a day filled with dialogue, discovery, and innovation.

Key Moments of Insight and Inspiration

The agenda was designed to spark conversation, foster connection, and inspire bold ideas throughout the event:

🔹 Foundational Vision: The day began with an inspiring address by Prof. B. Gurumoorthy (Director, FSID), who underscored the importance of translating pioneering research into scalable enterprises that deliver meaningful societal impact.

🔹 Strategic Outlook: Dr. Harpreet Kaur offered a broad perspective on India’s expanding influence in the BRICS deep tech landscape, commending the resilience of Indian startups and spotlighting climate-tech innovation as a key frontier for growth.

🔹 A Founder’s Charge: The keynote by Chief Guest Prof. Vijay Chandru resonated deeply, as he drew on his entrepreneurial journey to encourage attendees to embrace boldness and experimentation:

“Be bold. Do not be afraid of failure.”

From Ideas to Impact: Collaboration in Action

As the day unfolded, collaboration remained at the heart of the event, translating ideas into tangible action.

A dynamic panel discussion brought together entrepreneurs from healthcare, aerospace, and materials sectors, who shared candid insights into building and scaling deep tech ventures, offering strategies for resilience, innovation, and growth.

The momentum continued with two key highlights that captured the spirit of innovation:

🔹 Startup Showcase: Emerging deep-tech startups from across sectors displayed their pioneering products, prototypes, and solutions — offering a glimpse into the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem taking shape within IISc and beyond. The showcase served as a powerful reminder of how cutting-edge research can evolve into real-world technologies addressing global challenges.

🔹 Idea Pitching Competition: 35 teams presented visionary solutions — from AI-powered environmental tools to next-generation cybersecurity platforms — reflecting the creativity, purpose, and ambition that define India’s next wave of innovators.

Our Collective Path Forward

The event reaffirmed a shared belief: the future of Indian deep tech will be built through collaboration, mentorship, and shared purpose.

For EntIISc and its partners, the platform strengthened a joint commitment to:

• Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset across IISc,

• Bridge the gap between research and real-world innovation, and

• Empower students and researchers to build transformative technologies for the future.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, speakers, and participants who contributed their insights and energy throughout the event, making it a resounding success.

A special note of appreciation to Dr. Sarah Jayal Sawkmie, Director, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and Mr. Aditya Tikoo, Convenor, Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC), for their leadership, vision, and unwavering support.

We also thank Mrs. L. Tulasi Gandikota and Mrs. Yashaswini V from IIC for their continuous collaboration and support throughout the event.

A heartfelt acknowledgment to Mr. Pushkraj Anil Janwadkar, President, EntIISc, for his constant guidance, encouragement, and strategic support in driving this initiative forward.

We extend our gratitude to the volunteer team, led by Events Team Vice Presidents Mr. Ankan Biswas and Mrs. Ananya Krishna Devupalli, whose leadership and dedication ensured a seamless experience. Special thanks to core volunteers Mr. Akash Lima, Mr. Ram and Mrs. Akhila, and the wider EntIISc team, for their tireless efforts behind the scenes.

This gathering marked not just an event, but a movement — a reflection of the collaborative spirit and innovative drive that define IISc.

Stay tuned for more stories, initiatives, and opportunities to engage with the EntIISc ecosystem, as we continue to build the future of deep tech together.

— The EntIISc Team

Credits:

Original Write-up: Mr. Aniket Majumdar

Final Draft & Posting: Mr. Ankan Biswas