Opportunity brief
Overview
INNOVEST 3.0 is a three-day innovation and entrepreneurship summit bringing together student innovators, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, industry experts, mentors, investors, and technology enthusiasts.
Hosted at Chennai Institute of Technology, the summit provides a platform for transforming ideas into impactful solutions through innovation showcases, deep-tech challenges, startup demonstrations, expert discussions, mentorship, funding opportunities, incubation, and ecosystem networking.
The summit is designed to connect innovators with the resources, expertise, and opportunities required to move from ideation and prototyping to execution and growth.
Day 1 – Igniting the Ecosystem
1 September 2026
The summit begins with the official inauguration of INNOVEST 3.0 and a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Key Highlights:
Grand Inauguration:
Official opening of INNOVEST 3.0 and the beginning of a three-day innovation and entrepreneurship summit.
Product Showcase:
Live demonstrations of innovative products, technologies, prototypes, and solutions developed by emerging innovators and startups.
EDC Onboarding Ceremony:
Welcoming new members to the Entrepreneurship Development Cell and strengthening the student entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Keynote Address:
An insightful session featuring a distinguished leader from industry, technology, or the innovation ecosystem.
Panel Discussion:
A discussion with experts and ecosystem leaders focusing on emerging opportunities, technological developments, entrepreneurship, and future trends.
DEEPSPRINT Hackathon Launch:
The official launch of the deep-tech innovation challenge, where participants will work on technology-driven problems and develop innovative solutions.
Day 2 – Building Deep-Tech Solutions
2 September 2026
The second day focuses on deep-tech innovation through the DEEPSPRINT Hackathon.
Participants will explore and develop solutions across several technology domains:
- Additive Manufacturing
- Biomedical Technology
- Robotics and Automation
- Sustainability
- Electronics
- Defence and Space
Opportunities for Top Teams:
The top 10 teams will receive access to opportunities including:
- Incubation support
- Expert mentorship
- Intellectual property support
- Grants and fellowship opportunities worth more than ₹6 Lakhs
The day will also feature product demonstrations, expert discussions, keynote sessions, and the DEEPSPRINT Hackathon valedictory ceremony, including final presentations, jury evaluation, and winner announcements.
Day 3 – The Summit's Crowning Day
3 September 2026
The final day focuses on connecting startups and innovators with investors, mentors, industry professionals, and the broader innovation ecosystem.
Startup Demo Day:
Startup Demo Day provides a platform for emerging startups to present their solutions to investors, incubators, industry partners, and mentors.
The program includes:
- Startup pitches
- Investor interactions
- Live product demonstrations
- Expert feedback
- Visibility and market opportunities
- Funding and incubation connections
CITIL Innovation Grant:
The CITIL Innovation Grant aims to support promising innovations and ideas with a total grant opportunity of ₹10,00,000.
The initiative is designed to support:
- Student innovators
- Researchers
- Faculty members
- Early-stage startups
The objective is to help promising ideas progress toward practical implementation and meaningful impact.
DPIT and Mentor Connect:
A curated platform connecting eligible startups with mentors and ecosystem experts.
Participants can benefit from:
- Mentorship
- Pitch development
- Strategic connections
- Business and technology guidance
- Growth opportunities
Product Showcase:
The Product Showcase provides innovators and startups with an opportunity to demonstrate their technologies and solutions to industry and ecosystem stakeholders.
Key opportunities include:
- Live product demonstrations
- Interaction with innovators
- Expert feedback
- Technology transfer opportunities
- Funding and incubation opportunities
Why Participate in INNOVEST 3.0?
INNOVEST 3.0 provides participants with opportunities to:
- Showcase innovative ideas, products, and technologies
- Participate in a deep-tech innovation challenge
- Receive guidance from industry experts and mentors
- Explore incubation opportunities
- Connect with investors and industry leaders
- Explore grants and fellowship opportunities
- Access intellectual property support
- Build connections within the innovation ecosystem
- Gain visibility for startups and emerging technologies
- Transform ideas and prototypes into scalable solutions
Who Can Participate?
INNOVEST 3.0 welcomes:
- College and university students
- Student innovators
- Researchers
- Faculty members
- Entrepreneurs
- Early-stage startups
- Deep-tech innovators
- Technology enthusiasts
- Industry professionals
- Investors
- Mentors
- Incubators and ecosystem partners
About the Summit:
INNOVEST 3.0 is designed to create meaningful connections between ideas, technology, talent, and opportunity.
Whether you are developing a prototype, working on a deep-tech solution, building a startup, seeking mentorship, exploring funding opportunities, or looking to connect with the innovation ecosystem, INNOVEST 3.0 provides a platform to showcase, learn, collaborate, and accelerate.
- Dates: 1–3 September 2026
- Venue: Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai
Innovation. Collaboration. Acceleration. Impact.