The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) of Aditya College of Engineering and Technology (ACET), Bengaluru, organized a Panel Discussion with Regional/National Start-up Ecosystem Enablers on 17 June 2026 at the First Floor Seminar Hall under the theme “Catalyzing Innovation Through Collaboration.” The programme aimed to strengthen the institution’s innovation ecosystem by connecting students and faculty with eminent entrepreneurs and industry experts.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Madhusudhan, IIC Convener, followed by the inauguration of the panel discussion. Dr. M. S. Ganesha Prasad, Principal, emphasized the importance of fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among engineering students to meet the demands of emerging technologies and industry.
Mr. Santosh Ganapa Rao, Entrepreneur and Director of L2M Rail, an IISc-supported railway start-up, shared his entrepreneurial journey and discussed how innovative ideas can be transformed into commercially viable products through research, perseverance, and industry collaboration. He explained the role of technology-based start-ups in addressing real-world challenges in the railway sector and highlighted the support available through incubation centres, mentoring, and innovation networks. His session inspired students to pursue entrepreneurship as a viable career option and encouraged them to identify societal problems that can be solved using engineering innovations.
Dr. S. Rao Ganapa, Former IRSSE Officer and Managing Director & CEO, spoke about innovation leadership, technology commercialization, intellectual property, and industry-academia collaboration. He emphasized the need for multidisciplinary teamwork, continuous learning, and strategic planning in building successful start-up ventures. He also highlighted the significance of sustainable innovation and the opportunities available under various national innovation initiatives.
The panel discussion covered several important themes, including:
- The Indian start-up ecosystem and innovation landscape.
- Technology entrepreneurship and commercialization.
- Incubation centres and mentoring support.
- Funding opportunities for start-ups.
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
- Industry-academia collaboration.
- Challenges and opportunities for first-generation entrepreneurs.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, during which students actively engaged with the speakers by seeking guidance on start-up registration, funding opportunities, incubation support, product development, and entrepreneurial career pathways. The panelists provided practical insights based on their professional experiences, making the session highly informative and inspiring.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Naveen Kumar C, Professor & Head, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, who expressed gratitude to the management, distinguished panelists, faculty members, and students for their enthusiastic participation and support in making the event a grand success.
