The 21st edition of India Innovation Summit to explore the theme “Make in India, Developed India & Digital India” — uniting industry, academia and policymakers to shape nation’s innovation-led future.
NFAPost, Bengaluru: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is set to host the 21st edition of its flagship India Innovation Summit – Innoverge 2025, on October 10–11, 2025, at The Taj West End, Bengaluru.
This year’s theme, “Make in India, Developed India & Digital India,” underscores India’s accelerating journey toward technological leadership, with a sharp focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Transformation as key enablers of national growth and sustainability.
The two-day summit will convene industry stalwarts, policymakers, innovators, and academia to deliberate on how India can strengthen its innovation ecosystem and leverage emerging technologies to realize the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) vision.
Strengthening India’s R&D Ecosystem
Innoverge 2025 is mentored by CII Past President, Axilor Ventures Chairman and Infosys Cofounder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
Emphasizing the importance of research-driven innovation, CII Past President, Axilor Ventures Chairman and Infosys Cofounder Kris Gopalakrishnan said India’s future competitiveness hinges on strengthening its Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem, which requires increased investment, improved infrastructure, and stronger collaboration between academia and industry.
“While India has made strides in R&D, significant gaps remain when compared to global benchmarks. Prioritising emerging technologies like AI, biotechnology, and renewable energy will be crucial for sustaining our global competitiveness,” said CII Past President, Axilor Ventures Chairman and Infosys Cofounder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
AI as a Game-Changer for Indian Industry
CII India Innovation Summit Chairman and Volvo Group India Pvt Ltd President & Managing Director Kamal Bali highlighted India’s transformation journey under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He remarked,
“India is undergoing a remarkable transformation to become self-reliant in every sense—economy, infrastructure, systems, and demand. AI is emerging as a game-changer across sectors, automating processes, improving quality, and optimizing supply chains. This summit will serve as a platform to align stakeholders around the vision of a futuristic, innovation-driven India,” said CII India Innovation Summit Chairman and Volvo Group India Pvt Ltd President & Managing Director Kamal Bali.
The event will also feature Innovation Showcases and Tech Walkthroughs, offering participants a first-hand look at breakthrough technologies reshaping sectors like aerospace, defense, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and mobility.
Innovation for National Security
A special highlight of the summit will be a session titled “Innovation & Strategy in Warfare,” led by the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor team, exploring how technological innovation is redefining national security and defense preparedness.
Energy, Mobility, and the Convergence of Technologies
Discussing the intersection of digital transformation, sustainability, and energy transition, CII Karnataka Past Chairman and a noted energy industry leader N Venu stated the convergence of mobility, digital transformation, and energy transition can drive sustainable development.
“Renewable energy, infrastructure readiness, and future skill demands will be catalyzed through cross-sector collaboration and AI adoption,” said CII Karnataka Past Chairman N Venu.
Entrepreneurship and Startups: The Growth Engine
CII Karnataka Chairman Rabindra Srikantan emphasised the central role of startups in achieving India’s Viksit Bharat aspirations.
“Startups, along with small and micro enterprises, must play a pivotal role in driving GDP growth, exports, and employment generation. AI can make innovation more accessible and affordable, helping Indian entrepreneurs compete on a global scale,” said CII Karnataka Chairman Rabindra Srikantan.
Manufacturing, Logistics, and the AI Revolution
CII Karnataka Vice Chairman Guruprasad Mudlapur highlighted how AI will redefine manufacturing and logistics in India.
“AI-led innovation will revolutionize decision-making, fleet optimization, and data analysis. It is key to promoting cutting-edge research, entrepreneurial risk-taking, and global logistics integration in these sectors.”
Industry Collaboration and Recognition
The summit is supported by leading companies that have pioneered innovation in their sectors — including Volvo Group, RSB Transmission, Lakshmi Machine Works, Maini Group, 3M India, Kennametal, EY India, Paradeep Phosphates, ASM Technologies, Bosch India, Hitachi Energy, Infosys Ltd, Manipal Hospitals, Kauvery Hospitals, Sona Stars, and Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
In addition to insightful deliberations, Innoverge 2025 will host the Innoverge Recognitions, celebrating visionary leaders and organizations that are driving India’s innovation story forward.
Bengaluru: The Innovation Capital
With Bengaluru’s robust ecosystem of technology companies, research institutions, startups, and talent, the city continues to serve as the natural home for this flagship summit. Over the years, CII Innoverge has evolved into one of India’s most respected platforms for innovation-focused dialogue, influencing industry strategy and national policy alike.
For more details on the programme and registration, visit:
🔗 https://ciiindiainnoverge.in/innoverge-2025/
🔗 CII India Innovation Summit LinkedIn
