Chennai - The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras through its Gopalkrishnan-Deshpande Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GDC) organised the 6th Annual GDC symposium on January 17, 2026. The theme of the event was "Democratising Innovation and Entrepreneurship in India."
The symposium brought together leaders from government, industry, startups and academics to discuss how students and young innovators can be better supported in their entrepreneurial journey. Speakers highlighted the importance of mentoring, skill development and long-term guidance, especially for deep-tech startups that take time to grow.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Laxmi Narayanan, Co-founder of Cognizant Technologies said that the students and researchers can contribute to innovation in many ways - by starting startups, working on complex problems in large companies or contributing to national projects. Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation(ANRF), explained various programmes that support research and help convert academic work into practical solutions. He emphasized that the focus is on quality, impact and meaningful outcomes rather than just funding.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted that IIT Madras is actively expanding access to education and entrepreneurship. He noted that online degree programs and GDC initiatives are helping students from different backgrounds learn, innovate and built startups. The symposium also featured panel discussions for policy support, deep-tech startups and grassroots innovations. Several startups showcased their work , giving students a chance to understand the real world challenges and opportunities in entrepreneurship.
The event encouraged students to think beyond traditional career path and explain innovation, research and entrepreneurship as visible and impactfull ptions for the future.
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