Bengaluru, August, 2025 — A new era of innovation leadership began in India with the powerful launch of Innovasthan – A Vichar to Vikas Yatra, a national movement dedicated to transforming ideas into scalable, impactful solutions through innovation, intellectual property (IP), and cross-sector collaboration. The landmark event took place at Hotel Shangri-La, Bengaluru, and was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawarchand Gehlot.
Innovasthan is a strategic initiative conceptualized by Dr. Shweta Singh, a renowned innovation strategist and Chairperson of the Council of Industrial Innovation & Research (CIIR), powered by Ennoble IP, a leading global intellectual property consulting firm. The movement is deeply rooted in Dr. Singh’s mission to create an IP-driven innovation ecosystem that uplifts universities, startups, MSMEs, and research institutions across the nation.
Envisioned as a state-wise innovation yatra, Innovasthan will travel across 20 Indian states to identify local innovations, enable their protection through IP rights, and support their journey toward commercialization. The initiative positions innovation not as a one-time milestone, but as a cultural mindset—aligned with the larger vision of building a self-reliant Bharat (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
In his keynote address, Governor Gehlot drew upon India’s rich legacy of scientific brilliance, citing the contributions of ancient learning centers such as Takshashila and Nalanda, as well as legendary scholars like Aryabhata and Sushruta. Applauding India’s jump from 81st to 40th in the Global Innovation Index, he stressed the need for deeper integration of IP rights, academic research, and startup ecosystems to unlock the country’s full innovation potential. Addressing students and entrepreneurs alike, he urged them to follow the transformative mantra: “Innovate – Protect – Scale.”
The event attracted leading voices from academia, policy, and industry, each offering distinct perspectives on India’s innovation journey. Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor of Jain (Deemed-to-be University), spoke on the crucial role of academia in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking from an early stage. Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Sharma, President of the Indian National Science Academy, highlighted the importance of translating lab-based research into viable, market-ready solutions. AICTE Chairman, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, called for accessible and vernacular-based technical education to drive innovation inclusively across India’s diverse demographic. Joining virtually, Prof. Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (CGPDTM) at DPIIT, reinforced the urgency of embedding IP education into the national policy and academic curriculum. Meanwhile, Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA) at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, emphasized the opportunity for Indian institutions to climb the global innovation and impact rankings by aligning more closely with IP ecosystems.
A powerful panel discussion titled “From Policy to Practice – Bridging Academia, Startups, and Industry” further elevated the conversation featuring insightful perspectives from key representatives of WIPRO, DXC Technology, SPJIMR, UpGrad, and Omega Seiki Mobility. Discussions centered on the innovation readiness of Indian institutions, the commercialization challenges faced by early-stage startups, and the existing infrastructure gaps in India’s IP support systems. The panel underscored the importance of actionable partnerships and resource alignment to drive sustained innovation outcomes.
The event concluded with a vibrant Recognition Ceremony that honored exemplary innovators, educators, and institutions for their outstanding contributions to India’s evolving innovation landscape.
Following its impactful Bengaluru debut, Innovasthan will now expand to 20 states in its next phase. The upcoming chapters are planned for Odisha, Bihar, Nagaland, Assam, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. In each of these states, the movement will identify and spotlight local innovation heroes, provide hands-on IP support and mentorship, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and accelerate the commercialization of intellectual property and startup solutions.
“Innovation is not a department—it is a culture. Innovasthan is our collective step toward building that culture where every student, researcher, startup, and institution is a stakeholder in India’s innovation economy,” said Dr. Shweta Singh, Chairperson of the Council of Industrial Innovation & Research (CIIR), during her closing address.
Innovasthan – A Vichar to Vikas Yatra is a national innovation movement launched by CIIR and Ennoble IP to promote innovation literacy, intellectual property awareness, and startup scaling across India. Through partnerships with universities, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, Innovasthan aspires to position India as a global innovation powerhouse by 2030.
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