From Lab to Market: IIT Delhi’s FITT Forward 2025 Puts Deep-Tech Innovation in Spotlight

New Delhi, August 19, 2025 – India’s deep-tech ambitions are set to take center stage this week at FITT Forward 2025, a two-day national summit organized by the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi. Scheduled for August 21–22 at the IIT Delhi campus, the event arrives at a crucial moment as India positions itself for a transformative “deep-tech decade.” Billed as IIT Delhi’s annual flagship platform, FITT Forward is designed to accelerate the journey of ideas from research labs to real-world markets. This year’s edition will bring together a powerful mix of startups, policymakers, global investors, and corporate leaders, united by a shared mission: to shape India’s next wave of innovation in frontier technologies. BRIDGING RESEARCH WITH IMPACT “At FITT, we have always been the bridge between cutting-edge research and real-world impact,” said Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, FITT-IIT Delhi. “With FITT Forward 2025, we are creating a platform where innovators, investors, and industry leaders converge to accelerate deep-tech breakthroughs. Our goal is to transform promising ideas into scalable ventures—addressing pressing challenges and unlocking opportunities for India’s startup ecosystem and beyond.” The summit aligns closely with national initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, making it a strategic venue for translating research excellence into market-ready solutions. POLICYMAKERS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TO SHARE THE STAGE The two-day forum will feature senior government officials, underlining the state’s role in catalyzing innovation. Confirmed speakers include Smt. Nidhi Khare (Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs), Shri Sanjiv Singh (Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Head of Startup India), Shri Amit Satija (IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Defence Production), Dr. Preeti Banzal (Adviser/Scientist G, Office of PSA), Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya (Chairman & MD, NSIC), and Shri S. P. Singh (Chief General Manager, SIDBI). Officials from the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Skill Development, and NITI Aayog will also participate. Complementing the policymakers, the summit will showcase over 30 deep-tech startups pitching to a high-powered investor pool, including Indian Angel Network, 100X.VC [http://100X.VC], Microsoft for Startups, SIDBI Venture Capital, and Bharat Innovation Fund. Prominent names such as Vikram Gupta (IvyCap Ventures), Rajan Anandan (PeakXV Partners and Surge), and HRH Paldem Namgyal (Prince of Sikkim & Ex-MD, JP Morgan New York) are expected to attend. Startups will also benefit from pre-pitch mentorship, incubation pathways, IP guidance, and post-event investor access across key verticals such as AgriTech, MedTech, GreenTech, AI/ML, Cybersecurity, and Education. REVIVING AND SCALING STARTUPS A unique feature this year is FITT’s ReStartup initiative, which supports ventures facing operational challenges or founder fatigue. A panel of seasoned entrepreneurs—including Bipin Preet Singh (MobiKwik), Sameer Maheshwari (HealthKart), Neha Kant (Clovia), and Vivek Srivastava (HCAH India)—will offer strategic advice on pivoting, scaling, and resilience. Adding to the depth, the TechFront 2035: Deeptech Leadership track will bring together leaders from global corporations such as Visa, Novo Nordisk, Samsung, Pfizer, and Google, exploring frontier technologies including AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space innovation. PANELS, MASTERCLASSES, AND CSR DIALOGUE The agenda is packed with thought-provoking panels and masterclasses, including: * Velocity to Legacy – featuring founders and CEOs from Zomato, PolicyBazaar, Spinny, Moglix, BharatPe, InsuranceDekho, and TBO.com [http://TBO.com]. * CSR 2.0: Tech for Good – with participation from Visa, Microsoft, DS Group, and Kotak, exploring how technology can accelerate India’s progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. * Mobility for Tomorrow: Clean, Smart, Inclusive – featuring DMRC, Maruti Suzuki, TDK Ventures, and EY, discussing the future of smart mobility. * The Innovation Journey: Idea to Impact – with experts from Nokia India, Haier, Sun Pharma, and Yamaha Motor Solutions. International participation is also on the cards, with the panel “Unity in Diversity – Embassies in Dialogue” featuring representatives from Israel, Germany, and Australia. A PLATFORM FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION Beyond high-profile leaders, FITT Forward 2025 is committed to inclusive innovation, with 15% of its lineup dedicated to women-led startups and participation from student teams at IITs and NITs as well as grassroots innovators. An interactive demo zone will allow media and investors to directly experience prototypes, immersive tech pods, and live trials. “Meaningful innovation happens when academia, industry, and policy move forward together,” said Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean (Corporate Relations), IIT Delhi. “FITT Forward 2025 provides the space to unite diverse stakeholders and forge lasting partnerships.” MEASURABLE IMPACT AND LEGACY The event is expected to drive 20+ MoUs, 30+ startup-investor meetings, and 8–10 CSR partnership announcements. FITT will also release a whitepaper titled “Industry–Academia Expectation Mismatch: Technology Transfer Phenomenon for Resilient and Self-Reliant India,” authored by Prof. Amit Mehndiratta, CBME, IIT Delhi. Since inception, FITT has incubated 280+ startups, facilitated over ₹450 crore in funding, enabled 90+ technology transfers, and commercialized 25 global patents. Its CSR-driven innovation programs alone have created ₹85 crore in societal value. “We are committed to building an ecosystem where research seamlessly translates into industrial and societal impact,” said Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi. “FITT Forward 2025 reflects IIT Delhi’s vision of positioning India at the forefront of global innovation.” SUPPORTED BY INDUSTRY The summit is backed by leading partners including IIFL Capital, HS Foundation, HDFC Bank, Shannon Advisors, Cunomial, Kirtane & Pandit, Singhania & Co., and HSBC. The two-day conclave will culminate in an award ceremony, recognizing standout startups with honors such as Highest Funds Raised and Strong IP Portfolio. For the ecosystem, FITT Forward 2025 promises not just conversations but concrete collaborations, investments, and impact—solidifying its role as a critical bridge from India’s research labs to the global market.