IIT Ropar will host “100 Startups 100 Days” on December 16 . This national deep-tech acceleration program takes place at the institute’s campus. The event serves as a pre-summit activity for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 . This summit is a global platform focused on artificial intelligence.
The initiative aims to support early-stage technology ventures. It provides structured mentoring, access to research facilities, and technology development assistance. This program contributes directly to India’s national AI vision. It strengthens deep-tech innovation pipelines. It also fosters entrepreneurship. The program prepares the next generation of technology leaders for global impact.
India AI Impact Summit 2026 Preparations
The “100 Startups 100 Days” program forms a key part of the run-up to the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The main summit is scheduled for February 19-20, 2026 , in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the summit at the France AI Action Summit. The summit aims to establish India as a leader in AI development and application.
Grants and Investment for Deep-Tech Ventures
Over 30 startups and innovators will receive grants and investment support on December 16 . The funding comes from government initiatives and schemes. These include GENESIS, DST NM-ICPS, and Startup India. This financial backing aims to strengthen deep-tech pipelines in critical sectors. These sectors include agriculture (AgriTech), water management (WaterTech), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cyber-physical systems (CPS).
Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, highlighted the program’s focus. Ahuja stated, “The program identifies and nurtures promising startups in emerging deep-tech domains. These include AgriTech, WaterTech, IoT, and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). It will facilitate over 30 startups and innovators with grants and investment on December 16.”
Collaborative Support Network
The “100 Startups 100 Days” program receives robust support from several key organizations. These include iHub AWaDH, Annam.ai, and the IIT Ropar Technology Business Incubator Foundation. A diverse network of partner institutions also collaborates on this initiative. This collaboration enhances the program’s reach and provides broader resources for participating startups.
Program Partner Institutions:
- Embassy of Israel in India
- Reichman University Runway Incubator
- UPES
- Centre for Computers and Communication Technology, Sikkim
- ACIC GIET University Foundation, Odisha
- Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
- IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation
- HDFC Bank
- Canara Bank
Expanding National Capacity in Technology
The broader “100 Startups” initiative has already engaged more than 100 startups. This engagement occurs through various incubation, investment, and accelerator programs. The primary goal is to expand national capacity in technology development. This supports India’s digital and innovation-focused policy priorities. The program directly aligns with national efforts to promote technological self-reliance. It also aims for global leadership in AI and deep technology sectors.
The Significance of Deep-Tech
Deep-tech involves scientific or engineering breakthroughs. It creates innovative products or services. These often require significant research and development. Sectors like AgriTech, WaterTech, IoT, and Cyber-Physical Systems are crucial. They address real-world challenges. Support for deep-tech startups drives economic growth. It also solves complex societal problems through advanced technological solutions. IIT Ropar’s program provides a platform for these innovations to flourish.
Future Outlook
The “100 Startups 100 Days” program reinforces India’s commitment to technological advancement. It sets a precedent for future startup acceleration initiatives. The outcomes from this event will contribute valuable insights. These insights will inform discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. They will help shape India’s role in the global AI landscape.