IIT Ropar, Technology and Innovation Foundation – AWaDH continues to lead the charge in catalyzing deep-tech innovation for agricultural transformation. In collaboration with Puri Oil Mills Ltd. and MeitY Startup Hub (GENESIS), IIT Ropar (iHub – AWaDH) launched the PRAGATI Micro-Acceleration Program 2025, designed to accelerate early-stage startups working at the intersection of agriculture, water, and sustainability.

Over a rigorous 6-month journey, the program handpicked 37 startups from 200+ national applications, providing them with tailored mentoring, domain expertise, and access to funding and ecosystem networks. These startups underwent bootcamps, regulatory workshops, IP clinics, and strategic connections with investors and policymakers. The outcome? A vibrant cohort prepared to scale meaningful impact.

The forum was honored by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Science & Technology), who commended the initiative for “empowering young innovators to solve real problems at the grassroots using frontier technologies.” He stated, “50% of India’s startups now originate from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, signaling a shift from metro-centric entrepreneurship.” Smt. Rekha Sharma, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), highlighted the “Indian women are leading the way in technology, driving innovation and progress across sectors. Initiatives like iHub – AWaDH at IIT Ropar empower women to shape India’s future and elevate our nation on the global tech stage.” while Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, emphasized the need to align R&D with national priorities and scale startup efforts beyond metros. Leadership from IIT Ropar (iHub – AWaDH), including Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh (Project Director), Dr. Radhika Trikha (CEO), and Dr. Mukesh Kestwal (CIO), outlined a forward-looking roadmap to anchor CPS-driven innovation for  Bharat.

The inaugural panel, moderated by Dr. Radhika Trikha, featured key insights from Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh (IIT Ropar), Ms. Tejasvini Puri (Puri Oil Mills), Dr. Akhilesh Gupta (Advisor, IIT Ropar), Dr. L. Venkata Subramaniam (IBM), and Mr. Haris Khan (The Agriculture Today Group), emphasizing the need for collaborative ecosystems and emerging technologies to address grassroots challenges.

The second panel focused on enabling innovation through policy, partnerships, and platforms, with speakers from Ms. Srishti Baweja, Co-Founder of E2E Networks, Mr. Ravi Shankar L, Executive Vice President, Wadhwani Foundation, Dr. Nidhi Singh, Research Fellow, INSA-Centre, Mr. Morup Namgail, Head of Ag-Tech, IFFCO Kisan, Dr. Ashutosh Pastor, Vice President, FITT and Dr. Mukesh Kestwal, Chief Innovation Officer, iHub – AWaDH reinforcing the importance of support systems for startups.

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the AWaDH Office of IP & Technology Commercialisation (OITC), a specialized hub to fast-track the protection, licensing, and market deployment of IP-intensive innovations. The SPRINT Program also announced its regional editions in Haryana and Telangana, expanding its deep-tech reach across India’s innovation corridors. In addition, the PRAGATI Impact Report 2025 was unveiled, capturing insights, milestones, and success stories from the initiative.

Among the cohort, two startups stood out: Ekosight, leveraging IoT for intelligent irrigation, and Manjha Technologies, pioneering sustainable aquaculture monitoring. Both were conferred with PRAGATI Achiever Awards for their outstanding contributions and scalable models.

iHub – AWaDH’s innovation ecosystem, anchored at IIT Ropar, is rapidly scaling its impact through a multi-dimensional approach to deep-tech advancement. The event has mobilized over ₹98 lakh through targeted grants and co-investments, supported a dynamic portfolio of deep-tech startups,. The hub has also fostered a strong academic and research foundation with over 150+ publications and IP filings, and a robust base of 480+ CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems) research projects. This continued growth underscores iHub – AWaDH’s unwavering commitment to building transformative, scalable solutions at the intersection of agriculture, advanced technology, and societal progress.

Dr. Mukesh Kestwal, a member of the UPG Sustainability Leadership Batch 2025 also highlighted the foundational role of sustainability in driving the next wave of technological innovation during the summit. He stressed that embedding sustainability into innovation ecosystems is essential for developing impactful technologies that address global challenges responsibly and effectively. This initiative directly contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

PRAGATI 2025 was more than a demo day. It was a national celebration of innovation, impact, and collaboration. Through initiatives like PRAGATI, IIT Ropar’s iHub – AWaDH is building a powerful pipeline of deep-tech solutions rooted in rural resilience, scientific rigor, and entrepreneurial energy shaping the future of agri-water innovation for India and beyond.

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