PanIIT summit 2025 concludes with over 3,500 delegates

PanIIT Alumni India has successfully concluded the third iteration of the PanIIT World of Technology (PIWOT) Summit 2025, drawing over 3,500 delegates to Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre.

The summit, held from 17-19 January 2025, focused on the theme "Technology at Work" and featured discussions on the transformative impact of digitalization and technological advancements across industries, governance, and society. The event included approximately 75 international attendees, including policymakers and thought leaders.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, delivered a keynote address during the inaugural session, followed by a closing plenary led by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology. Throughout the summit, a series of technical sessions, startup sessions, and a live hackathon provided platforms for discussions on the pivotal role of technology in reshaping various sectors.

International dignitaries Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, and Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India, shared insights on the global technological landscape and highlighted the strong bilateral relationships between their countries and India.

The opening plenary, titled "Making Technology Work – A Peep Into the Future," included a welcome address by Debashish Bhattacharya, Chairman of PAN IIT, and a keynote speech by Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, former Director General of CSIR. Various domain tracks were explored, covering themes such as Sustainable Development, Green Energy, VC/PE Investments in Technology, Rural and Agri-Tech, Social Impact, and Health and Education. Leading organisations like Mercedes-Benz Group AG, SBI, NASSCOM, Lexlegis.ai, Rakuten, and Mayo Clinic took part in these discussions.

The Startup Conclave was a notable highlight, featuring 250 startups showcasing their innovations through 12 exhibition stalls and 28 pitching sessions. Of these, 12 startups emerged from the IITstartups.org cohort, while 16 engaged in open pitching following a 16-week acceleration programme. The conclave was attended by over 200 investors, comprising family offices, corporate accelerators, venture capitalists, and angel investors, averaging more than six investors per startup.

An event standout was IMAGINE, India's first design and coding hackathon. Nearly 300 participants, selected from over 15,000 registrants, developed affordable tech solutions for digital healthcare and sustainable urban development.

The conference concluded with a valedictory session led by Jayant Sinha, Former Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, alongside Raj Nair, Co-Chair-PIWOT 2025, and remarks from Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Bombay and IIT Jammu, and Debashish Bhattacharyya, Chairman of PanIIT.

Reflecting on the success, Debashish Bhattacharyya said, "PIWOT 2025 was a resounding success, bringing together the brightest minds in technology, policy, and business to explore how innovation is shaping our future. The collaborative discussions, along with dynamic startup ecosystem and hands-on hackathon, have created lasting partnerships and valuable insights that will drive change in the years to come."

Raj Nair commented, "The overwhelming participation and engagement at PIWOT 2025 demonstrate the immense potential of technology to drive global impact. We are proud to have hosted this transformative event, which has sparked new collaborations and fostered innovation across industries and sectors."

Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf concluded, "PIWOT 2025 has been a powerful testament to the transformative potential of global collaboration, with startups and innovators from across the world coming together to drive meaningful change. The event has showcased how IIT alumni and the Indian innovation ecosystem are at the forefront of shaping the future, equipping India to lead the global tech revolution. As we continue to foster collaboration and entrepreneurship, IITs are playing a crucial role in positioning India as a powerhouse of technology and innovation."